Doubting - Need some advice!

[bryanpearl]

Hey everyone, this is my first post and I have sort of a serious question.

Here's my situation, I'm 25 and I'm living at home going to school full time and I'd like to be a paramedic so I could get into some sort of career in the health/other industry (such as being a dive-medic on a ship). I am thinking about getting my emt-b certification so I can work AND go to school.

Simple enough, right? Maybe not.

Apparently the pay for an emt-b is like 8 dollars an hour in the state of south carolina, a pay rate which I could get working at the damn mall. The emt-b certification course is 1100 dollars! Thats SO MUCH money to pay just to be able to make what a high schooler makes. I talked to a guy on the phone today from one of the places that offer education and he told me that emt's are also hired at large manufacturing places as well, is that true?

Anyhow to sum it all up, I'm basically really torn with my decision and it's sort of depressing.. I just really wanna get my life together and help people, but what's the use if I can't even support myself on it??

Any advice or thoughts for this? Anyone who may live in the Charleston area who might be able to debunk the crossed information I've found on salary?

 

[ARose]

I was in the same spot as you when I was first certified. I had a great job which paid very, very well. But I was really unhappy. I don't make a whole lot now as a Basic, but I'm a lot more happier. The job is hard and the pay can suck - but for me, personally it was worth it.

 

[Maine iac]

Welcome to the realities of EMS. 8 an hour seems a little low, I've typically seen 10-12 (but I am not in SC), and starting for medics is between 14-17 an hour.

EMTs can get different types of jobs: techs in a hospital, emts in casinos, or in an industrial setting.

$1100 seems fairly typical of a fast paced EMT (something finished in 3 weeks), but there are cheaper ones (ive seen them down around $500), but they typically take a while to complete.

You say you want to work AND go to school.... go to school for what? Your paramedic or AAS/BS? It would be easy to work a job and do the EMT, but I and most people would probably suggest working as little as possible while you are doing your Paramedic (unless learning comes easy).


P.S. just wait until you want to spend 8-10k for your paramedic... feels really good when you do that plus have a university degree and your starting wage is low.

 

[ARose]

You say you want to work AND go to school.... go to school for what? Your paramedic or AAS/BS? It would be easy to work a job and do the EMT, but I and most people would probably suggest working as little as possible while you are doing your Paramedic (unless learning comes easy).

Good point. why not work PT as an EMT while finishing school?

 

[bryanpearl]

Welcome to the realities of EMS. 8 an hour seems a little low, I've typically seen 10-12 (but I am not in SC), and starting for medics is between 14-17 an hour.

EMTs can get different types of jobs: techs in a hospital, emts in casinos, or in an industrial setting.

$1100 seems fairly typical of a fast paced EMT (something finished in 3 weeks), but there are cheaper ones (ive seen them down around $500), but they typically take a while to complete.

You say you want to work AND go to school.... go to school for what? Your paramedic or AAS/BS? It would be easy to work a job and do the EMT, but I and most people would probably suggest working as little as possible while you are doing your Paramedic (unless learning comes easy).


P.S. just wait until you want to spend 8-10k for your paramedic... feels really good when you do that plus have a university degree and your starting wage is low.

The sad thing is that the 1100 is the same price at EVERY school that offers it in the area, and it takes 6 months. It sucks! This whole thing just sucks but I gotta do something to try to support myself and be useful to society in a REAL way.

 

[bryanpearl]

Also, to be honest I think it'd be cool to be a dive-medic, or to work for a military contractor as a medic. I just really don't want a boring career. Thats why I like the idea of a medic, it seems very satisfying.

 

[ARose]

The sad thing is that the 1100 is the same price at EVERY school that offers it in the area, and it takes 6 months. It sucks! This whole thing just sucks but I gotta do something to try to support myself and be useful to society in a REAL way.

You gotta start somewhere, ya know?

 

[bryanpearl]

You gotta start somewhere, ya know?

That is very true my friend. I'm just having a moment of doubt as I feel like my life is just being wasted when I could be doing so much more, so I just want do it like NOW.

 

[Maine iac]

The one at college of charleston was 4 months in length, but only a few nights a week. To a certain extent you gotta do what you gotta do..... Maybe get a job now that allows you to take the next basic course while still living at home, save up money and once you've done the basic see if it is actually something you want to do.

Or pay upwards of 3k find a 3 week long WEMT that also provides housing travel there take that, learn more than just the EMT stuff, come home a month later and start working or go into the paramedic program.

 

[ARose]

That is very true my friend. I'm just having a moment of doubt as I feel like my life is just being wasted when I could be doing so much more, so I just want do it like NOW.

So do it. Does it suck first starting out? Yea, it does. But you make the most of it. Look into Financial Aid, or take out a personal loan and do it. Don't just talk about it. If this job was easy anyone could and would do it. The pay can suck, you take a lot of abuse mentally and physically, but everyone on this forum has stayed because we love the job and we care about our patients.
You don't go into EMS for the money dude.

 

[bryanpearl]

You don't go into EMS for the money dude.

Of course not my main thing is I just wanna be able to support myself as in my own little apartment, car, food, etc (basic needs nothing fancy!) without struggling. I know I'm not going to be making 6 figures in ems, nor do I want to.

 

[ARose]

Of course not my main thing is I just wanna be able to support myself as in my own little apartment, car, food, etc (basic needs nothing fancy!) without struggling. I know I'm not going to be making 6 figures in ems, nor do I want to.

Juuust checking. I just reread my post and I'm sorry if I came off as a little harsh. There's no reason why you can't work part time as an EMT Basic for a little while getting experience on a rig and working with pts and working another, more lucrative job at the same time. Then move onto Medic and onwards and upwards.

If you're worried about paying for school, look into FAFSA or contact your local bank and see about a student loan through them. Interest is usually low, and your monthly payments would be manageable.

 

[bryanpearl]

Thank you guys for your advice, I am sort of cheered up now about it, I guess some times I just over think things and get in a rut. I REALLY like the thought of WEMT-B, even if it is 3500 dollar. I'll more then likely just get my emt-b, and find a job working PT in an emergency room or even on a truck and continue educating myself from there.

I will keep you guys posted.

Any more suggestions / comments are more then welcome to, give me as much knowledge as you can.

 

[ARose]

Thank you guys for your advice, I am sort of cheered up now about it, I guess some times I just over think things and get in a rut. I REALLY like the thought of WEMT-B, even if it is 3500 dollar. I'll more then likely just get my emt-b, and find a job working PT in an emergency room or even on a truck and continue educating myself from there.

I will keep you guys posted.

Any more suggestions / comments are more then welcome to, give me as much knowledge as you can.

Best of luck to you.
And if and when you do get a job, don't call it O2 Stat.
And don't smack your pt in the head with the computer.

 

[TheGodfather]

PM Sent.

 

[phideux]

If you are near the coast HGTC has the program. It runs about $1,000, and takes 4 months. But if you are a state resident you will automatically get a lottery money grant, plus you can apply for a federal grant. If you want you can take the course all the way through to Paramedic wit an associates degree. After you get your basic there are 2 transport companies around here, they will pay you about 10-12hr. An ER tech job will pay you about 10hr.

 

[tcd]

Also, to be honest I think it'd be cool to be a dive-medic, or to work for a military contractor as a medic. I just really don't want a boring career. Thats why I like the idea of a medic, it seems very satisfying.

You might also consider enlisting in the military, either active or reserves.

 

[mycrofft]

BP (OP), getting into something as a career is not cheap, will entail some struggle and privation, and needs to be pursued cold-bloodedly for the best long term results. Research it like any other job. Don't get into fripperies like WEMT to start, get the basic, get some experience even if it is mainly inter facility transfer, and be prepared for a curtailed lifestyle for a while. Make a budget...will it pay enough for an apartment, transportation, laundry, any student loans payments, any current standing debt you owe on? Oh, yeah, food? No pets at first.
Best of luck.

 

[Canadian Travel Medic]

I sort of went through the same decision, i had a marketing diploma and was working as a sales rep and hated my job and my life, this was at age 25 too. Had always though about taking me EMT and working in EMS, so i quit my sales job and enrolled in school. Its now 6 years later, i have my Advanced Care Paramedic in Canada and i have never looked back. Sure the courses are expensive and the money isn't fantastic, but i'll tell you right now the experiences you get, the things you get to see and do and the people that you meet are a far more fulfilling than making an extra couple bucks an hour. Very rarely will you meet someone that says they are in EMS for the money.