EMT Crossroads/Life

S

si-ncere

Forum Ride Along
Messages
9
Reaction score
0
Points
0
Hi, I’m new to emtLife.com and this is also my first thread.
I need your help and advice on some issues. I would like to start by saying I’m 21 and live In the Tampa, Fl area. I have done a lot of research into diff. career fields.. I am thinking of the Emt/Paramedic field I’m not really interested in the firefighter field. I have the opportunity to start an emt class starting July 21 to November 6, 08. Class is 11 credit hours that are transferable for paramedic program. My Q is with the times of today and the world changing, I want to know if it is really worth it all. I understand I am not going to become rich, I’m not in it for the money but I need to be able to survive. All I ever asked was for God to bless me so I can bless/help others. I understand there are a lot of qualifications and rising standards in becoming and maintaining your certifications. If I am blessed enough to pass this class I look back and would say, now what?? I can get a job and be an emt? Save my money and return to finish paramedic part at my local comminuty college? Where I’m from you have to be a full time emt or in the fire program to even be accepted into the paramedic program. There’s a long wait for the paramedic program and if I ever get accepted, I wouldn’t be able to work full time anymore. I guess I want to know in the end is it all worth it? With job shortages, rising gas, prices, how hard is it to even get employed as an emt? There’s a lot of competition out there so whose to say Ill even get a job? Help!!! lol Please keep in mind I am doing this all by myself with little support of family, but when and if I finish this class I must get out and see the world for myself/ kicked out lol. If you can leave any advice or positive comments, ANYTHING I would appreciate it. These are just my thoughts. Thank you for your time.
 
Last edited by a moderator:
Si-ncere,

This is my own opinion! You keep saying "is it worth it?" You ask Medics if it was worth it..I don't know of any that would say no. To level with you..we don't go into EMS because of the wages. We all have bills to pay...yes fulltime work is hard to find at the Basic level...you might not find a job right away...you might not get into the paramedic program... These are all things you have to consider. Why not look into moving to a place where you can take the paramedic program off the bat. Save some time and money. You can always find a job somewhere. Just might not be ideal. Pay you penance. Once you get the experience you become more of an asset.

It took me 1 year to find a fulltime job and involved me moving 6 hours north. It took me 4 years to get into the Paramedic program. Why do I do it? I love the job with all its ins and outs. I hope this helps a bit. Your best bet would be to talk to someone in the field out there or go to the college and ask all the questions you want.

MDKEMT
 
I second MD post. It does take time sometimes to get into full time and even if you do it is rough to support a family on a basic wage. if you got your basic then work long enough to get to medic school and then find another full time job if you can manage to pay your bills. The ideal thing would be to work EMS whilst you went to school so you can see your knowledge first hand...but this isn't always plausible. my advice is take the basic course and if you gain a huge passion for EMS then after then you will easily be able to make this decision either way you go.
 
One of the largest non-fire EMS services near you is in Pinellas county.

Sunstar
http://www.sunstarems.com/

Give them a call and see if they can answer any of your questions from a local perspective.

The one thing about Florida is it is very pro Fire-Based EMS. Mergers occur frequently as what has been happening all around in Tampa over the past 10 years.
 
Thank you all for your time. I didn't really mean "worth it like that". I guess I just wanted to get your out look on the EMT life or employment, and I didnt know if I would be taking this class and walking around with a certification for like years and never get to work as an emt. I understand you all do what you do for the love of helping others thats great and I commend all who are in this field. Where Im from theres no way to bypass the emt and go straight to medic. Again I thank you all and I will deff. look into SUNSTAR. THANX
 
You can move to N FL. Up north they are more geared toward county EMS service and stay away from fire based service. You will need to take your EMT first. There are a lot of CC's that you can get into the Paramedic programs, right after EMT. You may not find fulltime work as an EMT right away, but you can get part time easy. If you want to work, you can get more hours then fulltime. Look around the Tallahassee area. Great service and they will give you a shot, as an EMT.
 
reaper said:
You can move to N FL. Up north they are more geared toward county EMS service and stay away from fire based service. You will need to take your EMT first. There are a lot of CC's that you can get into the Paramedic programs, right after EMT. You may not find fulltime work as an EMT right away, but you can get part time easy. If you want to work, you can get more hours then fulltime. Look around the Tallahassee area. Great service and they will give you a shot, as an EMT.
Click to expand...

Thanx for the info, I am deff. going to take this up coming emt class in the Tampa area. I will also look into the N. Fl area, actually I was born in tallahasse and I never thought of relocating myself, to get a job or better opportunity like others have said. Thank you all again. Ill will soon be bothering you all with more Q's as I go thru this class lol. Blessings :)
 
Last edited by a moderator:
Just PM me, if you need any info on the service.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top