Going on to Paramedic

[iMac]

"We turn out doctors without making them become EMTs/Medics/Nurses/PAs first"

I had never thought of it that way before. Very good point. Thanks Doc.

[ERDoc]

"We turn out doctors without making them become EMTs/Medics/Nurses/PAs first"

I had never thought of it that way before. Very good point. Thanks Doc.

But doctors have much more time spent in the classroom and in training before they are turned loose. So, what is the right answer?

[AZCEP]

But doctors have much more time spent in the classroom and in training before they are turned loose. So, what is the right answer?

With the depth of information that is provided in medical school, I would hope you have to spend more time in classrooms to get it right. We just skip the proverbial stone across the surface of medical information for prehospital providers. :roll:

[Dustdevil]

You don't learn medication doses on the street.

We turn out doctors without making them become EMTs/Medics/Nurses/PAs first. Why shouldn't someone be able to go on to medic school right out of EMT class? Experience is nice and all, but you need to knowledge before the experience will make any sense.

Those are the two quotes of the day, right there!

Dwayne is right... a great many people who discourage you from going directly to medic school do so strictly out of some warped belief that you should have to "pay dues" like they did, when in fact, there is no educational value to that concept.

One of the problems with the sad, sad state of affairs in paramedic education is that there is very little true understanding of the educational process, even among the so-called educators. They've never set foot in a real university, so they don't understand how it works. They still believe that "training" and "education" are the same thing, which they very definitely are not. These people are not qualified to give advice on the educational process that they have never themselves experienced.

Those who have been to the university know all too well how unwise it is to screw around a few years between high school and college. Why would the concept be any different for paramedic school? As Asys points out, you aren't learning anything of serious value during that time. In fact, what you are learning with EMT experience are a lot of bad habits that you will have to focus on breaking as a medic. Not to mention that all the true education you received in EMT school will be going cold and rusty during that time. What good is that? Would you wait two years between taking Calculus 1 and Calculus 2? Of course not! You're on the right track. Stay there.

And, of course, the "search" thing is just a running joke here. There's really no particular key-word that you could have used to easily search out a topic such as this. Now, had you been asking about FDNY or tactical medics, we would have seriously bashed you.

Glad you have found the forum helpful! Welcome aboard. I look forward to hearing of your progress!

[shira_emt]

I know I said I was going to leave this site......but I can't it's addicting.

I guess my opinion is: do what makes you feel comfortable. If you feel comfortable in your basic skills and you feel as if you can go on to medic school, than do it. If you find that basic was kinda hard, then maybe you should try your EMT-I first (if they offer it in your state). As an EMT-I you get to push some drugs (at least in the state of Ohio) and you learn a little more about advanced airways. Once you get your EMT-I card and you feel comfortable moving on, then do so. I'm just going on my experience I guess. I was a basic for 4 years then got my EMT-I card this past summer. I tried medic school and didn't feel as if it was "my time". However, if you feel as though you are confident in you basic skills and you are ready to take on the extra responsiblity then by all means go!

My opinion of this matter has changed throughout the years. Had this been 3 years ago I would have said no. Wait to get a couple of years experience before jumping head first into the fire pit lol. But after reading these replies "would you wait two years between calculus 1 and calculus 2?" sorry if I miss qouted you. I see his point. So my opinion has changed a bit.

Anyways, there is my two cents.

[Dustdevil]

I know I said I was going to leave this site......but I can't it's addicting.

Ha! Plus 5 for honesty and good taste!

May you have a long and happy life here!

[AMESEMT]

Thanks everyone for your posting! I have made the decision to go onto paramedic school after I get my EMT-B. BEorP: Paramedic Specialist is the same thing as the NREMT-P. Here in Iowa we have the "Iowa Paramedic" which is just an I-99 for the NREMT. Thanks again everyone for the post, it definately helps reinforce what I thinking!!

[JakeEMTP]

=D>

Congratulations on your decision! I believe you made the correct one. Hell, if i can do it, you can too.

[shira_emt]

congrats!! Really it's the I-99? In Ohio we are taught the I-99 for intermediate but we are tested on the I-85. Which is nothing more than a NREMT-basic test again with some acid based balance questions thrown in there. Which I totally disagree with. I took a 130 hr intermedaite class and was taught to push drugs, I'll be the first one to admit that is wasn't enough time. We didn't spend enough time going over the drugs nor the cause and effects of them. Anyways, that is a whole other topic within it's self. CONGRATS again! If you really want something, nothing is out of reach. Good luck!

[AMESEMT]

Yea, the "Iowa Paramedic" is just the I-99 and the "Paramedic Specialist" is the NREMT-P. People just wanting to make things difficult. I was told not to take the Intermediate since if you do decide to go on to the Paramedic that you are basically retrained since in the Intermediate you are just told what drugs to push for this instance and not the background (cause & effects, or why). Off the topic question but what is about the average that Paramedics make? I have tried looking online for something but it is the internet and it is like looking through mud (lol)? Thanks!!!!