EMT academy VS community college

[Mel319]

Hello everyone!

I wanted to get some input on how you trained to become an EMT and what your thoughts are on going to a specialty acaedemy like Arizona Academy of Emergency Services versus a community college that offers EMT courses?

I live in Arizona and have found at least 5 different places that offer EMT courses and training and I am trying to decide which would be best to do. Of course what is the best for education but also for money spent, further education and training, refresher courses, and also for job placement.

Any and all advise is greatly apreciated!

 

[PotatoMedic]

Cost is a big factor. And ask what the first time pass rates are for the NREMT. Those two should help guide you in your decision.

 

[Mel319]

Cost is a big factor. And ask what the first time pass rates are for the NREMT. Those two should help guide you in your decision.

Thank you, for the first time pass factor does that have anything to do with how easy or hard the course is in comparison to another one? More so to see how much it’ll prepare for the actual job outside of a classroom and not that I’m looking for an easier course. Or is the pass rate on how well they prepare you for the tests? Does that make sense?

 

[PandaNin]

How much pressure are you under to begin a new career?

If you have time CC gives you more time to absorb the information and truly understand the underlying mechanics of why and what you are doing.
If you are running out of money and need a job, the short-term intensive course might be better suited so you can become employable quicker.

I already have a full-time career and went CC at night. Class was 2 nights/week and we spent another 2 nights/week in study group at school. So far we are 6 for 6 from our study group passing NREMT on 1st try. One more is taking his test next week.

 

[DesertMedic66]

With CC you can get scholarships, waivers, federal financial aid to help pay for the costs which would make it a much cheaper option and it will also give you college credit hours that you could potentially use towards a degree.

 

[DrParasite]

Many CCs run EMT class through their continuing education division, not the curriculum one (which helps make courses cheaper, but limits your financial aid options).

Go with whatever is cheaper. Bonus point if they will give you college credits for the classes that can be used for a future degree.

Thank you, for the first time pass factor does that have anything to do with how easy or hard the course is in comparison to another one?

The first time pass factor is on the state or NREMT exam, which is typically taken after the class finishes. The big "secret" in EMT classes (in all certification classes really) is the grades in your course don't matter, provided you are make high enough grades to continue in the program. So if you get a 98 overall, or an 80, it doesn't really matter; what an employer wants to see if if you passed the NREMT or state exam. Many programs with high first time pass rates are able to do this by dropping low performing students before they even get a chance to test (because they weren't do well enough in class to continue with the program).

So a "harder class" might prepare you more for the real world, and for the state test, and people who couldn't cut it might be dropped from the harder class and do better in the easy class. And just because you have an easy instructor, doesn't mean they are doing you any favors by giving you an easy A when you finish and aren't adequately prepared for the state exam. But regardless of if you take the easy or hard class, you still need to take the state or NREMT exam, which can be harder or easier than you are used to.

 

[RESCUERANDYEMS]

Hello everyone!

I wanted to get some input on how you trained to become an EMT and what your thoughts are on going to a specialty acaedemy like Arizona Academy of Emergency Services versus a community college that offers EMT courses?

I live in Arizona and have found at least 5 different places that offer EMT courses and training and I am trying to decide which would be best to do. Of course what is the best for education but also for money spent, further education and training, refresher courses, and also for job placement.

Any and all advise is greatly apreciated!

I just graduated from Chandler-Gilbert Community College and it was a blast. Definitely good instructors. AAES is a private school and they have accelerated programs if you want to do it quicker (not recommended). Both are good schools. I went to both also. I didn't make it through at AAES. Once you fail an exam you are booted out of class, whereas if you are at a community college, you are still able to continue through the class for learning purposes but will not be NREMT eligible and will have to take the course again.

CGCC also has this cool system where instead of taking clinicals at the hospital and paying even more money on fees, drug tests, and paperwork. One day in the semester you will sign up for a class called 104AB which is basically a real world scenario day that will help you understand how treatments work in Arizona specifically.

 

[RESCUERANDYEMS]

With CC you can get scholarships, waivers, federal financial aid to help pay for the costs which would make it a much cheaper option and it will also give you college credit hours that you could potentially use towards a degree.

NoFinancial Aid is available in this state for the program its all out of pocket unless you have a G.I.

 

[Mel319]

I just graduated from Chandler-Gilbert Community College and it was a blast. Definitely good instructors. AAES is a private school and they have accelerated programs if you want to do it quicker (not recommended). Both are good schools. I went to both also. I didn't make it through at AAES. Once you fail an exam you are booted out of class, whereas if you are at a community college, you are still able to continue through the class for learning purposes but will not be NREMT eligible and will have to take the course again.

CGCC also has this cool system where instead of taking clinicals at the hospital and paying even more money on fees, drug tests, and paperwork. One day in the semester you will sign up for a class called 104AB which is basically a real world scenario day that will help you understand how treatments work in Arizona specifically.

Awesome thank you, if you don’t mind me asking, how much was Chandler-Gilbert? Also do you pick classes like a normal college course schedule? I will be doing this while working a full time mon-fri job just so there are classes available at times I can go.

 

[RESCUERANDYEMS]

Awesome thank you, if you don’t mind me asking, how much was Chandler-Gilbert? Also do you pick classes like a normal college course schedule? I will be doing this while working a full time mon-fri job just so there are classes available at times I can go.

You would pick classes as normal. Overall including the book and materials your probably looking at about $1400-$1500. I work a fulltime Mon-Fir as well and they have a class that works for everyone all the way from two nights a week to a weekend class.