We talk about education a lot on this site, as the cure to much of what ails American EMS. I've been giving some thought to this, and I suppose I have a question.
As many of you may know, I already have a bachelor's degree and a JD. If I decided to pursue, say, nursing, I could enter an accellerated program and come out with a BSN or, depending on the program, an entry-level MSN. There is then an educational progression from there, depending on one's chosen career path, up through masters and doctoral level degrees.
Paramedics seem to have the choice between a diploma and an AAS in Paramedicine. There are a few schools offering initial bachelor's degrees in Paramedicine or EMS. But beyond the entry level, what is there?
If I decided to make a career of EMS, and to be one of those people who sets EMS policy - something I think a law degree and good "street" experience is well suited for - the obvious first step is to pick up a P-card. But after that, what is there? Is there even a career ladder for EMS that lets you increase your education and become more than just someone who is a "supervisor" in that they wear a gold badge while driving an ambulance.
So, I suppose this is a "where do we go from here." Nobody really wants to be riding a truck and moving patients for 30 years (I don't think), but it seems like one of the problems with EMS is that it's a job, without career prospects. Am I missing something? Are there programs out there at the graduate level that prepare students for EMS leadership roles (beyond an MD, EM residency, and EMS fellowship?)
As many of you may know, I already have a bachelor's degree and a JD. If I decided to pursue, say, nursing, I could enter an accellerated program and come out with a BSN or, depending on the program, an entry-level MSN. There is then an educational progression from there, depending on one's chosen career path, up through masters and doctoral level degrees.
Paramedics seem to have the choice between a diploma and an AAS in Paramedicine. There are a few schools offering initial bachelor's degrees in Paramedicine or EMS. But beyond the entry level, what is there?
If I decided to make a career of EMS, and to be one of those people who sets EMS policy - something I think a law degree and good "street" experience is well suited for - the obvious first step is to pick up a P-card. But after that, what is there? Is there even a career ladder for EMS that lets you increase your education and become more than just someone who is a "supervisor" in that they wear a gold badge while driving an ambulance.
So, I suppose this is a "where do we go from here." Nobody really wants to be riding a truck and moving patients for 30 years (I don't think), but it seems like one of the problems with EMS is that it's a job, without career prospects. Am I missing something? Are there programs out there at the graduate level that prepare students for EMS leadership roles (beyond an MD, EM residency, and EMS fellowship?)
