EMT-B Students!!!
- Thread starter EMTCop86
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I was seriously considering taking all the pre-reqs for both Medical school and P.A. program, but I think that it might be too much, because I really want to try and work on EMS degree 2 (Although I'm on the fence with this as well) and it’s just so many extra classes and I haven’t even started my upper level biology classes yet. I’ve *really* screwed up a lot of good opportunities... I’m going to be 22 next May, and I have quite a ways to go until I finish my B.S. in Biology. I haven’t taken math since 12th grade and chemistry since 10th.
I guess I was also in a bit of an exploratory phase, so I took a variety of courses that I did not need at all-international relations, economics, religion, sociology, art etc (and it’s put me about a semester more behind), and I’m kicking myself so bad for that, coupled with the 1.5 year “break” I took off after I was taken out (by my parents) of my previous University. Yes, I was incredibly stupid and I’ve definitely paid for my reckless mistakes. Right now I’m at a Community College and I’m transferring into another University in the Spring.
I think the main reasons for me for opting out of pursuing Medical school are:
Finances, I’d be scared :censored::censored::censored::censored:less if I was under that much debt and something happened and I wasn’t able to complete Medical school. My sister is already 120K+ in debt, just from getting an B.A. in History (which isn’t exactly the most lucrative field to go in) I can see how much that’s stressing her out and I don’t really want to be in a position like that.
I’ve been financially dependent, so I really need to be able to find a career where I’ll be able to make a fairly good amount of money within the first year of employment. I know my income is not going to rise substantially, but I’d say starting at around 60K and eventually moving up to around 100K a year is a pretty good for me.
Time is an issue for me as well, I don’t want to be in my mid 30s and just getting out of residency. I figure that I won’t get my B.S. until I’m 24. Then I want to join the Peace Corps for 2 years. I know I could try for D.O., since they seem to be more receptive to older applicants. I guess fear of being older is a big issue, because a lot of people, if they took a break from a University or entering later on, they were doing something with their lives, whether working or extensive volunteering, or whatever. Me? I have pretty much nothing to show for after 21 years. It was my responsibility to do something with my life and I failed to do so, so I’m essentially working from scratch. Heh, not having a pity party, just putting some perceptive on my reasoning.
I barely completed any pre-reqs (Besides taking Biology/English) for Med school and a good bit of them are year long reqs, but I will have half of mine done for P.A. school by next semester.
I like the idea of being able to switch specializations and I do not mind working under a Physician, there’s no ego issue for me there (Not saying that Physicians are egotistical).
I will admit, I do wonder if I choose the P.A. path…if I would have short changed myself, but I feel *if* I am able to get into a distinguished P.A. program (i.e., Duke, GWU, Cornell) it might quiet those thoughts.
I’m just not sure anymore, I have about another semester left until I *really* have to decide, so I’ll just have to figure out what my options are and have some serious conversations with a counselor once I get back into a University because the ones at my CC, not to be rude, but they’re incompetent.
(Sorry, I tend to ramble!)
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Sasha
Forum Chief
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Don't worry, Chrissy. Some people just don't want to be a doctor. That doesn't mean that they don't think they're smart enough for it, they just don't want to be one.
Personally, I just want to be a DNP, no MD or DO in my future, just not interested in being a doctor.
Personally, I just want to be a DNP, no MD or DO in my future, just not interested in being a doctor.
If you're worried about finances and open to some time in the military, there are some programs that might be worth looking into. The Army Health Professions Scholarship is a good example... and the one that's most likely to appear in my future. 
As for age... I had a few classmates who were told by various medschools that they were excellent candidates, but that they didn't want to take people so young, so please reapply in a few years. They were all 21-24, I think. And I know some much older non-traditional medical students. The oldest is 29 and in her second year. I think joining the Peace Corps would count as doing something with your time, too, if you're worried about explaining.
To be fair, I'm in something of a similar boat. I'll be graduating with a BS this spring, but will still need a lot more science courses to get into medschool. Didn't realize I actually was smart enough to go to medschool until junior year.
All that being said... Sasha's right. If you want to be a PA, be a PA.
As for age... I had a few classmates who were told by various medschools that they were excellent candidates, but that they didn't want to take people so young, so please reapply in a few years. They were all 21-24, I think. And I know some much older non-traditional medical students. The oldest is 29 and in her second year. I think joining the Peace Corps would count as doing something with your time, too, if you're worried about explaining.
To be fair, I'm in something of a similar boat. I'll be graduating with a BS this spring, but will still need a lot more science courses to get into medschool. Didn't realize I actually was smart enough to go to medschool until junior year.
All that being said... Sasha's right. If you want to be a PA, be a PA.
The army has many great programs for education in medicine. If you dont mind the time in the military and potential to deploy overseas, I highly recommend it. I was considering going active duty army after getting my nursing degree. Would land me a nice job at a main hospital with an officer rank. The benefits and pay are good if you come in with a degree.
mct601
RN/NRP
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I really really want to go into med school, its my dream, but I'm having a hard time maintaining the GPA recommended to get in (3.6). This is only my second semester of college so maybe once I get more classes and experience it'll come easier as my study habits and focus improves. Math is the kicker for me.
mct601
RN/NRP
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heh I got my schedule for my ambulance clinicals. first one on Friday the 13th. nice.
JoeSchmo
Forum Probie
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I just got finished with my EMT-B final exam. (passed!!) and now onto clinicals.
This is a first for me.. can anyone elabrate on what to expect/what is expected of you during the clinicals at both the FD and hospital settings.
One shift is 24 hr. What do you do all day when not on a call?
Any and all info would be great!!
Thanks!!
This is a first for me.. can anyone elabrate on what to expect/what is expected of you during the clinicals at both the FD and hospital settings.
One shift is 24 hr. What do you do all day when not on a call?
Any and all info would be great!!
Thanks!!
Lifeguards For Life
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generally if we were not on call we were supposed to be studying for the national. most of the fd's are really cool. I took like a 6 hour nap during my emt fire clinical. My ED clinicals were pretty fast paced and we didn't have any down time.
My job was basically to get vitals and practice assessments. We had a code and the ER Doc let me bag the patient.
Generally you can go in there and shy away from everything and just do vitals. If you ask intelligent questions and really show interestm you should have a very enjoyable time.
Good luck
Thank you all for the advice and replies...heh, I don't think the military is really the place for me, although some of the benefits do sound tempting.
I had my second shift at the E.D today. It was much busier then the first hospital that I went too...I got to perform CPR for the first time, in conjunction it was my first time seeing someone dead. She was an older woman, not completely sure what she died of, but they gave her multiple doses of epinephrine. I'm guessing she was already dead (presumptive sign) when I started CPR, since she had no pulse and her eyes were open/pupils were fixed and dilated. They tried for about ten minutes or so to resuscitate her, then they called the time of death. Been feeling weird by the whole experience...but yeah, overall it was nice to be on my feet, busy pretty much the time as oppose the other hospital where I was sitting around a good bit.
I had my second shift at the E.D today. It was much busier then the first hospital that I went too...I got to perform CPR for the first time, in conjunction it was my first time seeing someone dead. She was an older woman, not completely sure what she died of, but they gave her multiple doses of epinephrine. I'm guessing she was already dead (presumptive sign) when I started CPR, since she had no pulse and her eyes were open/pupils were fixed and dilated. They tried for about ten minutes or so to resuscitate her, then they called the time of death. Been feeling weird by the whole experience...but yeah, overall it was nice to be on my feet, busy pretty much the time as oppose the other hospital where I was sitting around a good bit.
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Yes, that would be too much. Have you done any shadowing? You sound like you're not quite sure if you want to do PA or MD/DO - you have some pros and cons for both. You should figure it out rather than sorta purse both of them.
I did something similar and I look at it as life experience. I am sooo much more motivated than the other people my age who have just been in college without experiencing the real world, and it sounds like you are too.
History is a horrible degree to go into that much debt for, but a medical degree isn't. Why do you think you wouldn't be able to complete medical school?
That is a good plus for PA, but I'm not sure "how I've been financially dependent" equals "I have to make a lot of money right away." You can be financially independent on a residency salary.
Going to medical school at 26 isn't exactly old, especially because you'll have 5 years to make up for the first 21 -- and being an EMT and joining the Peace Corps is a great way to do that.
Don't just talk to a counselor! Do some shadowing!
Tyler Bruns
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During my ED time my first PT was a full arrest. Me and my friend (also a fellow classmate) did CPR for 30mins or so before the DR called it. It is an odd feeling looking back on it once all is said and done. It comes down to how you deal with it. Personally I was a little shaken up right after but within a hour or 2 I was over it. My friend still doesnt like to talk about it (Its been a few weeks now). Talking really helped me to, for a lack of better words, not care. Talk with a classmate, EMT, Medic, teacher, hell even your friends who dont wanna hear about it. Its fun grossing people out with this stuff
. Good luck. I am still finish up class myself (3 weeks left). Feel free to PM me if you would like.I'm starting class February 22nd. I tried to get in earlier but I couldn't find anything that worked with my employer's schedule (I do customer service and am the research liaison for a larger than average family practice group) so the 22nd will have to do for me.
I am very excited about what lies ahead for me and have been familiarizing myself with the Ohio EMT-B course module and studying ahead for the sake of proficiency in the classroom. I've been out of school for a year now (23 years old) and I've been surprised about how excited I am to go back into the classroom. I guess it helps that I'll be doing something I really want to do
Jar
I am very excited about what lies ahead for me and have been familiarizing myself with the Ohio EMT-B course module and studying ahead for the sake of proficiency in the classroom. I've been out of school for a year now (23 years old) and I've been surprised about how excited I am to go back into the classroom. I guess it helps that I'll be doing something I really want to do
Jar
Angel
Paramedic
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Just joined the forum though ive been lurking for a while. We started our class back in august, about 2 more weeks left. 1 more test then the final skills and written (next week omg). im waaay nervous for that but i think given my past scores ill do fine.
did my ambulance observation last weekend and it was pretty slow but it helped to motivate me to do this. i been studying alot more because id hate to be one of those students who fail at the end (its happened to the brightests of students).
Good luck to everyone taking their finals!! it really does seem to go by fast
did my ambulance observation last weekend and it was pretty slow but it helped to motivate me to do this. i been studying alot more because id hate to be one of those students who fail at the end (its happened to the brightests of students).
Good luck to everyone taking their finals!! it really does seem to go by fast
Sir Young
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I've got 3 weeks left in class. Did my last day of practicals last week. I've got 1 more regular test, then the final, and we're done. On to the job hunt.
MusicMedic
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Same here
Except i have to also take the NREMT test, which i am going to study my brains out for
Then out to get a job in the saturated Job market, which IMHO is going to be the HARDEST part out of this whole experience
snizzle.snoozle
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I'm starting class in January too!
Chrissy, might I suggest that if you're going to go for med school (or PA school) you just go for it? As a previous poster stated, 26 isn't too old to enter med school, although it might make more sense to go for PA if you don't want to be getting done with residency in your mid-30s. One suggestion I would have for you is to let the EMS degree idea go (from what I have heard from some med school admissions officials, med schools often see vocational degrees as less rigorous, which may negatively influence admissions decisions; not sure about PA schools, though). Finish the bio degree and apply your EMS experience as clinical experience for med school.
From reading through your post, PA school sounds like a good idea. The prereqs are a little more intense b/c PA school is so short but it would cut out 1-2 years of med school and a 3-5 year residency (plus possible fellowship time). If you don't mind working under a physician, PA is an excellent career choice and they can still make a great salary (average is around $80k w/ some specialties over $100k) and the level of debt is minimal by comparison.
mct601
RN/NRP
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Sounds like you guys started around the same time as me, but everyone else's classes are structured different.
Our last lecture was Monday and our final exam is in like a week or two. We've done our ED and ambulance clinicals throughout the semester and start practicing for our practicals tomorrow night. Practicals are the last week of December and we're schedule to take the NREMT exam as a class the first week of January.