New EMT-Basic, Need some advice....

[nypamedic43]

Well, I've been a basic for a long time. There are some states (or regions) that require new EMT's to have at least a year of experience before moving on to medic programs. I guess it all just depends on where you live and what the requirements are. I believe that basics hold an important place in EMS. There are still some places, granted not many, that ONLY have basic EMS in the area. I really dont have an opinion on whether you should jump right into medic school after basic, or wait for awhile and get field experience. For those who have ZERO experience in ambulance operations or moving or dealing with patients, I say get some field experience. It will help in the long run.

I have worked with medics with no field experience and I have worked with medics who have 20 years under their belt. The only difference I could see....is when the chips were down, and our patient truly needed interventions...the new medic looked to me for help, not the other way around. He lost it, in the back of the ambulance and couldnt think of what he needed to be doing, and in end the ultimate price was paid, the patient died. Im not saying that that situation hasnt happened to seasoned medics as well.....we all get that pucker factor, when we just know that the end result will not be good, not matter what is done.

Wild, if you feel comfortable going right into medic school, then do it. If you have doubts however, maybe rearranging your work schedule and getting some field experience will help you make the decision. Noone on these forums can make that decision but you. EMS has a bad habit of eating its young and the cold hard fact is....peoples lives will be in your hands, thats a big responsibility and not really a lesson to be learned without the safety net of even just a little experience.

[Ridryder 911]

A little over dramatic aren't we? Really, because the medic had a brain fart .. the patient died? Then the new medics turn to a basic instead of knowing what to do?.. Piss poor trained medics then on both counts. Sorry, it will be a cold day before I turn to a basic to ask what to do? Sure to assist me and work with me and maybe offer a suggestion.. but to ask what to do?

EMS is not that complicated. Generally we take care of a lot B.S. calls, and every so often the poop hits the fan that we actually are required to use the knowledge and skill we have been prepared for.

Like any other medical profession. Go to school, get a job, then get experience. My philosophy is in two years one will have medic experience or EMT experience.. now, after the two years, see which one check is larger and more employable.

R/r 911