Do as I say, don't do as I do....
Kyle,
If you're looking for someone to tell you which "EMS Management" degree program is best, I'm the wrong guy to ask. If you're asking whether to finish college or get your medic first, here goes....As a paramedic who's been on the streets for 9 yrs and recently went back to college after leaving to get his EMT-P, I think I've been in the situation you describe. Let me offer a few points:
1) Think very carefully about leaving school before you do it, fi that's hat you're considering. Anyone who's done it will tell you it is MUCH harder to get started again once you've left.
2) Keep in mind that there WILL come a day when either your mind, your body, or both tells you that it's time to stop running the streets. The average length of a paramedic's service nationwide is only around 7 years, last I read. So keep in mind that eventually you'll either be looking to move p into management, education, hospital based medicine, or some other avenue to get "off the streets" before you know it. It's true, some guys run a box for 25 years and retire happy, but they're few and far between. Think about it, how many retired firefighters have you met? How many retired *paramedics* have you met? (meaning full-time assignment to an ambulance). Not to mention, there are plenty of folks out there who would love to work as a paramedic but whose backs won't let them because of chronic or acute injuries (although we're thankfully seeing less of that).
3) Also keep in mind that the emerging trend for employers seeking managers and other "professional" level employees is to require a four-year degree. Notice I didn't say a management degree, or a business degree, or an IT degree. Just a four-year degree. I have a friend who is a network administrator for a large office. Know what his degree is in? Forestry. They don't care, it could be in basket weaving as long as he can do the job. In the long run, it's just a piece of paper that shows you can follow through and stick to something long enough to earn a degree.
So, putting all that together, it's a decision you have to make. But if you're close to the end of your degree, or if your degree is in a field you could see yourself working in in the event you can't work the streets, finish up and go to medic school afterward. I know the feeling of excitement at the challenge and the feeling of helplessness when you're an EMT looking at a patient who "needs more" and wishing you could give it to them, but medic school will be there when you get done with your degree. In fact, with the improvements I see coming for medic programs, it will probably be a BETTER program in a year or two than it is now (of course, i don't know your program, but you see what I'm saying...). Plus, once you have that piece of paper, it gets much easier to accumulate other pieces of paper (read: if you want an EMS degree later, you can get one more easily if you already have a BS/BA).
Last but not least, I'm not sure how much street experience you have, getting more in the meantime by working the streets as an EMT is always beneficial, and allows you to "start medic school today" as I tell some of the folks at my service. There's nothing magical about a paramedic class - and there's a lot of knowledge you can gain on your own in advance from the people you work with. In other words, work the streets and learn about patients. Ask medics about why they do assessments they do. Grab a drug off the shelf, hand it to a medic, and ask him to tell you about it. See the good calls and the bad calls. This will only make you a better medic student.... and a better paramedic in the end!
Hope this helps.
NJM
