EMT or Phlebotomy

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Sd2013

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So this fall I am signing up for one or the other, no excuses :) I'm just not sure which one.... I eventually want to be an RN but I need to work right now and can't go to school during the day. Anyways what do you guys think about both programs. I know I'm not Gona get paid bank haha but that's ok cause I'm not making much at my current job...after 5 years it's sucking the life out of me and I just don't even want to go to work anymore. I guess I'm having trouble deciding because I'm scared and ignorant when it comes to EMTs ... What if I don't get all the training or learn everything I need? Especially since the courses aren't very long. What if I screw something up? How do they decide who drives and who's with the patient? I would think EMT would be (don't want to say fun) but I guess more exciting... I'm turning 25 this December and need to get things going. Also what type of schedule do you normally work.. I have so many questions but I'm starting to ramble:P thanks in advance for any advice or info

-Ashley
 
Hi Ashley!

There is a problem with both of your plans. With both occupations, there are many people applying for very few jobs, and both do not pay very well, as you know. Given that you are looking to be in RN, I would suggest that you seriously look at phlebotomy because if you are able to get a position inside an acute care hospital, you would be an "internal applicant" for those other hospital jobs you might find as an RN later. The trick would be finding a position in acute care facility as a phlebotomist.

The training for EMT typically focuses on trauma assessment and trauma care with some medical care and assessments thrown in for good measure, but it really does not prepare you for the realities of life as an EMT. The vast majority of transports that you will do as an EMT will be basically transporting very stable patients from one facility to another. Most of those patients will require some very basic assessment, vital signs to be done, someone to hold their hand, and have a good pleasant conversation during transport. You really can't get any more basic than that!

If you are truly looking to become an RN, I would highly suggest that you get rolling on getting all of your prerequisites done so that you can apply to RN programs. As things stand right now, I am approximately 4 weeks out from graduation from an RN program. I am also a Paramedic and I Can say that for as much fun as I had with being a Paramedic, EMS and nursing are very much apples and oranges.

I cannot stress enough the importance of finding a job in the acute care setting so that you can apply for RN job for everyone else does, once you become an RN. The downside of becoming an RN is that once you are licensed, your facility may not allow you to remain employed in your usual capacity.
 
There's a lot of hoops to jump through to get your EMT. You'll probably make better money and have better job opportunities in phlebotomy.
 
We just take turns driving, every other call, unless advanced life support is required in which case the medic has to do the patient care. We might also switch it up if we think the call would go better with a certain person in the back. For example, I'll volunteer to take the patient if the chief complaint is for female issues, or if the patient is a young female and I see her eyeing my partner like meat. If I can protect him from a sexual harassment complaint, I will.

Shifts...at my company we do 12's for the most part and work every other day.

I'm not ashamed to say EMS is fun depending on who you're working with, and sometimes exciting too. It seems like my coworkers are 95% men though so expect to be the odd man out for a while if you get into this.

Let's see...you pretty much get the training you need in class. Just be sure to really participate in class and especially lab to get used to the equipment. It's a pretty hands on job.

Otherwise, I don't know. Try not to screw up? Lol...most (medical) mistakes you can make as a basic aren't fatal. Driving's another story. In all things, err on the side of safety.

Good luck!
 
Drax said:
To really have a better shot at hospital jobs, you kinda need both :glare:
Click to expand...

What I've found is that it is not necessarily EMT AND Phlebotomy, but have your Basic and just something else. For me, it was EMT-B and being an Athletic Training student. However, I do want to get ECG reading and trauma certs.

About school, you truly get out what you put in. EMT-B school is not so much intensive, but different. Its training to be a healthcare professional, which is unlike anything you would see in grade school or college. You can get by by memorizing and passing, but you will truly succeed by being the first to volunteer for scenarios, seeking help, and doing some outside research.
 
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