NYMedic828
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I'm sure this will get into some heated debate about BLS before ALS but it's been talked about a few times in my short time as a member here but I just wanted to get a general idea of what people think overall.
Is there real a reason for EMT to be a prerequisite to become a paramedic?
Personally, after completing my paramedic program I felt that EMT was just a waste of 150 hours of my life. It helped me in no way to perform better in my paramedic program and if anything it just lent to having a few bad habits to throw in the trash along the way. On top of that, most paramedic programs start from the ground up regardless and teach you that everything you have been doing as an EMT, is wrong and must be done a different way. I would much rather have been able to skip EMT, and just take a 150 hour longer paramedic program with a real A&P portion in the curriculum.
It isn't a requirement for an RN to be a PCA. It isn't a requirement for a doctor to be an RN or PA. Why should EMT be required to be a paramedic?
Mind you, I do acknowledge the fact that EMT programs are also money makers, and the dollar sign will always remain king. I am not advocating that EMT should not be an option should it appeal to you more as a "hobbyist" provider. Not everyone can afford a paramedic program and EMT does have its place (lets save that for other threads).
The poll is not public so please vote honestly. Keep in mind the purpose of this thread is not to turn into a "should the EMT level even exist?"
Is there real a reason for EMT to be a prerequisite to become a paramedic?
Personally, after completing my paramedic program I felt that EMT was just a waste of 150 hours of my life. It helped me in no way to perform better in my paramedic program and if anything it just lent to having a few bad habits to throw in the trash along the way. On top of that, most paramedic programs start from the ground up regardless and teach you that everything you have been doing as an EMT, is wrong and must be done a different way. I would much rather have been able to skip EMT, and just take a 150 hour longer paramedic program with a real A&P portion in the curriculum.
It isn't a requirement for an RN to be a PCA. It isn't a requirement for a doctor to be an RN or PA. Why should EMT be required to be a paramedic?
Mind you, I do acknowledge the fact that EMT programs are also money makers, and the dollar sign will always remain king. I am not advocating that EMT should not be an option should it appeal to you more as a "hobbyist" provider. Not everyone can afford a paramedic program and EMT does have its place (lets save that for other threads).
The poll is not public so please vote honestly. Keep in mind the purpose of this thread is not to turn into a "should the EMT level even exist?"
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