Career Path Advice

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petrellajr

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Hey guys,

I am a new member to this forum so first off just wanted to say hi! I am a recent recipient of an MAEMT-B Cert. and a student in college but honestly am at a fork in the road concerning my career. I am 21 years old. I have completed two years of school as a business student and the bottom line: I hate it. I cannot stand the thought of going back to school as an IT major.

However, during this time of schooling / career searching I happened to take an EMT course at a community college nearby.... LOVED it. Did not feel like I was in school at all and had such an interest in learning this stuff.

I understand I will not be making much money as an EMT / Medic but honestly want to be one so bad.

I guess I just need a little advice / life stories from some of you guys that have gone down this route yourselves.

I would like to pursue a career in EMS / Firefighting / Nursing but have two years under my belt in IT. The school I am attending is boatloads of money and am not looking forward to paying these things off when I get out. I will admit I should have looked in to this before going to school but I was 18 living like a lunatic and didn't have a care in the world about money / my career. I had a huge change in my life and thank God for that and ever since then I've been wanting to pursue a career in EMS. There's a new love for people and helping them out in whichever way possible. I cannot see myself sitting in an office the rest of my life just working "to make money." I understand it is a part of living and it is necessary to live but I do not want the $100,000 job anymore. That is nothing to me.

So my questions are these: (I am from just north of Boston, MA.) Do you need to attend certain schools / institutions around here in order to be eligible to take a Medic -> RN program? Would it be better if I got a degree in paramedicine or a certificate? I applied to six ambulance companies around here but have gotten no answer so I'm assuming jobs are hard to find around here?

I have heard that people in other professions have gotten cut because they did not have college degree's which is why I am so adamant on getting a degree. I was thinking of working as an EMT-B for a couple of years while finishing out my IT degree and then going to paramedic school afterwards to become a paramedic and then take it from there.

I'm open to any advice / criticism so lay it on me. Thank you guys for an awesome community and God Bless.
 
Well, I was in the same boat--I took my EMT halfway through college and knew that emergency work was for me, not economics. I finished my degree--I recommend it, I find it's very hard to go back to school after a long break. To be fair, though, money was not an issue for me.
Still, a college degree makes you more hire-able in EMS or firefighting, or any career for that matter. And a degree in paramedicine is usually more desirable then a certificate program.

If you do choose to work in EMS, get your paramedic. Basics like you and me are a dime a dozen, and the pay is not stellar. Also be prepared to relocate to find a good job.

Are you thinking about doing EMS only, EMS to RN, or firefighting and EMS? Your career options and decisions will depend on where you want to go and where you should apply. Most of my knowledge is based off the fire service, so if you have questions about that just ask.
 
If you plan on bridging to RN at some point I would recommend you go for a degree program in para-medicine. If you don't you'll end up having to take some courses before you start the RN program anyway so overall time wise it would probably save you time if you just did the 2 years to begin with.
 
I see you've already gotten good advice here. I agree you should give priority to getting your degree. Your major matters less than the degree itself. Afterwards, you can pursue EMS, nursing, or anything you like, knowing you won't be penalized for not having a degree, no matter what path your career takes.
 
Degree, degree, degree. Like was said before, do it now. Once you leave school it is extremely hard to go back. The wave of the future in EMS is having at minimum an AA / AS building to a 4 year degree. Your halfway there, finish it off, work part-time / volunteer in the meantime, then start your career.
 
You need to decide if you loved the idea of EMS or did you love medicine.

You are already a student, if you we're fascinated by medicine, remain at a college level and go for a more advanced medical title.

If you like EMS, realize the harsh realities of what it really is, the pay, the hours etc, and then make your choice.
 
If you want to be a nurse go to nursing school. If you want to be a medic go I medic school. Despite popular belief paramedic isn't a stepping stone to nursing. Sure there are bridge programs out there but you'd be doing yourself an educational disservice if nursing is your ultimate goal.

I'm with everyone else, work part time and finish up your degree and then decide which direction you want to go.
 
Where do you want to end up in the long run??
Paramedic, FF, or nurse??
If Nurse is the long term goal, go that direction from the start. If you want to be a medic on the side it is much easier to transition from nurse to medic.
If FF/EMS is your goal, make yourself more marketable, get your medic.
 
Hey guys, first off I just want to thank you for all of the responses it is much appreciated.

I am definitely starting to think getting my degree is a top priority in this situation just because I have put so much time / effort in to it already I might as well finish it off. I know if I don't and pursue being a medic chances are I will not return. So thanks for all of the advice on this.

As far as a future career path I am not sure. Maybe after seeing the harsh realities of EMS I may desire a less stressful job such as a nurse / working in a hospital. I think this will come in time.

As for now, I just accepted a part-time job at a retirement community as a security officer / EMT which would be really nice to have going through the remainder of school.

Once again, I cant thank you guys enough for all of the advice on this, it definitely lightens the load for me. Thanks again and God Bless,

Peter
 
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Also, I'd try to volunteer as an EMT (or get a part time job as one) to see how you enjoy EMS and to see how it is. Same goes for firefighting if you're leaning that way. Are there any volunteer fire departments/ambulances where you are? If not, some services allow ride-alongs with an ambulance or fire engine.

That will help you determine if you like emergency services, medicine in general, or if you'd rather do something else.
 
NVRob said:
If you want to be a nurse go to nursing school. If you want to be a medic go I medic school. Despite popular belief paramedic isn't a stepping stone to nursing. Sure there are bridge programs out there but you'd be doing yourself an educational disservice if nursing is your ultimate goal.

I'm with everyone else, work part time and finish up your degree and then decide which direction you want to go.
Click to expand...

This is good advice. I've been told by friends who have bridged from P to RN that the philosophy's are very different and many medics do not like being nurses. Not because of the work so much as the mindset of the profession. Nothing negative just very different.
 
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