A&P Survey.

[atlasD]

Hi. I tried looking for a post asking a similar question, but searching was to no avail. Soon after starting my EMTB course I posted a question asking if time spent working as an EMT, and taking Anatomy/Physiology is absolutely neccessary before progressing to paramedic. It should be pretty obvious what the answers were that I was given. Since then I have decided I don't at all want to jump into paramedic school until I have atleast got my feet a little wet. I have joined a volunteer department, planning to do this while still in school. So depending on how many calls I'm able to work on, the revelance of my question might vary.

Currently I'm taking algebra, biology, and chemistry. At my college these are all prereqs for the A&P series I will begin spring quarter. Tonight while looking through the other health program descriptions, Respiratory Care Technology offered an A&P Survey course instead. Nursing did not, probably because the program is highly competitive (ie 300 applying, 30 being accepted). Paramedic currently doesn't hold any prereqs except bls and emtb.

Right now I'm planning on going the normal A&P12 route. But if I do get enough patient contact, I'm wondering if this A&P Survey would suffice until I have a) more time b) more money.

To be honest, I'm a poor poor poor college student. I moved back home with my mother to afford to go to school. I certainly am not lazy and wanting to go the easy route, but taking the survey would save me a lot of money and put me in the work force much sooner.

*Just to put it out there before this post is wiped out: I know the difference between "training" and "education". I want to be an educated paramedic not only capable of not killing my patients, but also being able to give them the best possible prehospital care.

Thanks

 

[JPINFV]

Take the full course to get the full effect. If you take the survey you're foundation won't be as strong, and in the end, you run the risk of having to take the entire series for full credit. If funding is an issue, have you thought about taking out a student loan? If you're filing for taxes as independent, you should qualify for a Stafford-subsidized loan. The stafford loans (there are subsidized and unsubsidized loans) offer good terms, especially if you're going to college (loans are in deferrment as long as you're a half time student) and the subsidized stafford doesn't collect interest as long as you're a student (unsubsidized collects interest, but the interest is rolled into the loan when you enter repayment).