Advice

[Wingnut]

Real advice this time, I promise.

Well I'm in a bit of a conundrum and hoping that some of you could tell me what you think about my situation.

I have 2 options. I have everything I need for my associates degree in EMS except going through the medic program, I mean everything, it's all done except that. But I really wanted to work as an EMT before I started taking the reins. My EMT instructor has stayed in touch with me and she's been pushing me to go ahead with the medic program assuring me I'd do well and not to stress because they would still put me through my EMT paces before putting me into the 9 month medic training (after medic school). So it's kind of tempting.

My other option is getting my RN, which I would only be getting to further my EMS career. I'd have to start with intro to nursing and it's a 2-year program on top of the 2 years I've already put in. I don't like working in the hospital, I don't like working in offices, etc...the only place I've ever enjoyed working is on the rig. But as an RN I'd be able to challenge the medic test when I wasn't so green in EMS, at the same time, I'm losing all the work I did in school to get that EMS degree.

Also we're not moving to Canada, we'll be going back up north in a couple years, definitely North east, but it's about 2 years away. We have things to do here before we can move anywhere. We're only going because Naples is basically pushing out anybody that doesn't make money. Cost of living here requires a salary around 80-100,000 a year. Jay and I will never make that with our jobs and the real estate market here is so fubar'd that it's almost impposible to start a business and be successful. But in Canada I would have to start from scratch and I hate to lose all that work, I'd like to go back to NY, but we're going to take time to research the area and find somewhere where my cert's will be reciprocal. This part isn't really the dilema I'm just thinking out loud here.

As far as the schooling goes, what would you do. I know it's better to work as an EMT first. I don't want to be good I want to be the best, Jay is getting on the day shift soon I hope so I can work, but I still have to get my EVOC lisence and they aren't offering it any time soon. I've called all over town and my college is the only one offering it. I'm going to be re-applying for my grant and I don't know whether to apply for the medic program or the nursing program this summer. I already applied to the nursing program last fall and they rejected me (space is limited and a lot of medics applied)

So if any of you can make sense of my ramblings...what do you think? What would you do?

 

[Stevo]

The modern nuclear families usual dilema of juggling carear and family concerns, eh Wingnut?

from the hip i'd say get your RN over your EMT-P, but that is pertinent to location.

If in fact your talking the part of NY that is populated, then there's $$$ in ems to be had, if it's the sticks you'll eat beans in ems, yet have a fair chance at making good on the RN

location, location, location

imho, 'tis better to eat beans with the rednecks of the woods, than steak with the homies in the hood

~S~

 

[Wingnut]

The modern nuclear families usual dilema of juggling carear and family concerns, eh Wingnut?



imho, 'tis better to eat beans with the rednecks of the woods, than steak with the homies in the hood

~S~

Yes and yes...(especially the second one I married one of them )

Thanks for your input Stevo, I finally got Jay to stop saying a definite NO to NY, I don't want to go to Manhattan, but I wouldn't mind going back to Long Island. Upstate is not out of the question but I'm only familiar with the Catskills from our camping trips, other than that I've only driven through there.

 

[Stevo]

well there's a multitude of factors Wingnut. Your inquiry of Canada was interesting, and i thought that perhaps the move was partially fueled by the growing fascist cabal here? Now maybe i'm off here, but i do sense a lover of freedom from one whom simply wears the false crown of it.

Yet these sorts will eventually go down (pdf)

Pursuant to this, rural living has more anal rules than i can personally stand, freedom away from people is, imho, worth the price of a harder isolated existance

I can shoot my guns, raise friggin dinosaurs if i wanted, and the dog can run free here, i can hunt for supper, in fact i can get so lost hunting here that i may not return my biz calls for DAYS!

That said, know that wherever you may land, the star of life makes you a sister, and some of the best people i have had the pleasure to meet are of this extended frat/sorority , and will pretty much get you up to speed on the locals should that be your need

~S~

 

[Wingnut]

Yes I truly do love this country, and it was hard to think about leaving it, and there were MANY reasons we thought of for moving to Canada, No#1 was the economy. But then we realized it's not that much different, and Jasons training and mine would have to be started over again. We just don't have the time or the resources to go through that again.

And I'll take the farm anyday. I really don't care for neighbors and they don't care for me (us). But I do have to live within driving distance to a city for occasional entertainment. Otherwise my dream would be living up in the mountains.

 

[Stevo]

In many senses , you don't have to leave America, it's already left you Wingnut, personally i'd like the one i was raised in back....

Every indication i read of points to an economic downturn looming in our near future as well, and you know the thing about country living?

well ....one can create a fairly self sustaining enviroment, the barter system being a noteworthy neighborly staple here.

To be fair, i've lived in cities, and visited many here in my younger semi-vagrant days.

You know what impresses me the most? ....that so many people so close together can be so alone

~S~

 

[coloradoemt]

I grew up, some would say, in a small town. I lived in LA for awhile, Colorado Springs, and now I am back in a small town and have been for about 7 years. I will not live in the city again and stevo has already explained one of the reasons why.

 

[i_drive_code3]

emt-p or rn?

hiya...i looked at a similar situation right after i got my emt-b...and while my instructor insisted i'd do fine going right into paramedic without street experience i didn't feel comfortable and now having worked for more than 2 years on an als unit i KNOW i made the right decision.

i have also thought of getting my rn then challenging the emt-p but i too don't like the thought of hospital work - however what about getting your rn and working on a critical care transport unit? they use rn's on those or what about becoming a flight nurse? best of both worlds (unless flying scares you:unsure: )

what does your husband do?

kate
ps all that work toward your degree is never worthless! be proud!!

 

[JJR512]

You sound like you'd be happier going with the medic program and staying in EMS. Do what makes you happiest.

 

[Wingnut]

LOL Kate, I had to read your reply's title 4 times before I realized it didn't say "EMS porn" :lol:

I totally forgot I even made this post...Jason (my hubby) is a deputy with the sheriff's dept. (and so is my brother) so we're all kind of in this together. As much as my old EMS instructor is pushing I'm just not comfortable with being a medic yet. I've decided I'm going to go ahead with RN school. I had to go to the doc the other day and the tech that did my tests was a medic and we had a long talk, it was kind of a sign for me to just hang in there and go ahead with the nursing program. And since I can't seem to find anyone that has an EVOC class I'm going to go ahead and apply for a part time job as an ER tech, at least I'll have my hands in the field (somewhat) and be bringing in a more reliable income to help us get the hell out of this city. Hopefully when the time is right, maybe by the end of the year, Jay will get his day shift and I can get on a rig. But sitting here talking and wondering about it while our bank account goes to hell in a handbasket doesn't help.

And Oh yes I have dreamed of being a flight nurse, or more so the pilot. I LOVE flying, but it is very hard to get that job here, you basically need 6 degrees and military experience to even hope to be considered for the job.

No matter what I do I will end up in EMS, it's where I'm supposed to be, I guess it's just not the right time yet. Thanks for the support and suggestions guys, it's nice being able to talk/vent it out with people who have any idea what I'm talking about.

 

[emtff376]

LOL Kate, I had to read your reply's title 4 times before I realized it didn't say "EMS porn"

LMAO!!