How Difficult Is It to Get Paramedic

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BHammond1

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Hello all, I wanted to ask how difficult people thought it was to get their paramedic license. I've heard a variety of responses to the question; I'm basically looking to be as well-informed as I can be about the emergency services profession. I'm a recent college graduate looking to start my EMS training in about a year, but I'm not too hot at math so any information and advice would be really welcome.
 
Not as difficult as it should be..

On another note the math is not that bad and there are normally easier ways to do things than the given long hand formulas (I.E dopamine clock) etc. You should be just fine but to make it easier and to help yourself understand what is going on, beyond just what you "need to know" take some college A&P.
 
Plan on 2 years of college to get your Paramedic certification. And as mentioned get a good A&P 1,2 and labs.
 
I'm almost done with the "hardest 3 months of medic school", according to my teachers, and I haven't really been phased yet (knock on wood), but there are others in my class struggling to get by.

It just depends on your and how you learn.


Just do what you're supposed to do (i.e. study) you shouldn't have much trouble.
 
Going to medic school can be challenging if you're working FT concurrently. I know firsthand. Most providers in NYC that are not FDNY have had to go that route.

Med math is not that difficult, and typically comes early in the curricculum, before your mind is numb with months of studying and clinicals. The trouble comes when several different instructors teach different methods of dose calcs. Stick with the one way that you're certain will work, and dismiss the other methods for the time being. Don't confuse yourself.

Also, don't fall behind on your clinicals. I feel that's the greatest pitfall. If you're working FT, clinical hours may be put off. You don't want to be playing catch up at the end. You may be dismissed as a result.
 
Personally, I didn't think that medic class was academically that difficult. It was more of a time management challenge. Of course, everyone learns differently and finds different subjects difficult. Understand the best methods for your learning style and utilize them throughout class and you should be fine.
 
I thought medic school was a breeze. I didn't lift a finger or go out of my way to do good on anything; it was that easy. Class 2 days a week for maybe 3-4 hours. Rotations/truck time - it was a cake walk.

Nursing school was a lot harder! Organization, time management, 5 days a week of class/clinicals plus weekend homework/studying, idiotic classmates, *****y teachers, fees on top of tuition, etc etc etc etc!

Glad that crap is over!

B)
 
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Hoofguy said:
Not as difficult as it should be..

On another note the math is not that bad and there are normally easier ways to do things than the given long hand formulas (I.E dopamine clock) etc. You should be just fine but to make it easier and to help yourself understand what is going on, beyond just what you "need to know" take some college A&P.
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I agree 100%. Dead-on with that post.
 
I am just at the two week point, it isn't bad now. I think it all depends on which school you pick, make sure you get one that has their paramedic program accredited.

The school I am in is really big on putting out highly professional "educated" paramedics, not just "trained" paramedics. We will learn what the drugs do at the cellular level and exactly why were are giving them during physiology. I am in A&P II right now and its ok to. The drive time is tough for me though, but im doing it.
 
rhan101277 said:
The drive time is tough for me though, but im doing it.
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Preaching to the choir.


I drive 100 miles a day, twice a week for class. Clinicals start in October, and so I'll be driving over 600 miles a week for class / clinicals.
 
Epi-do said:
Personally, I didn't think that medic class was academically that difficult. It was more of a time management challenge. Of course, everyone learns differently and finds different subjects difficult. Understand the best methods for your learning style and utilize them throughout class and you should be fine.
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Medic school wasn't all that difficult academically for me either. However, I had a lot of education going into it... I've had tougher courses in college... Much of the info presented in class, I'd already learned. This is not to say I didn't sit back and coast... it was a time management challenge, and for people not used to studying, it can be like trying to sip from a 2.5" hose... In my case, I did well, made sure I did well, and learned as much as I could about the subjects that I hadn't been exposed to before starting medic school.

I highly recommend taking at least a full year of A&P and Chemistry before going into medic school. It makes parts of the course easier to understand and allows you to concentrate on other aspects of your education as a Paramedic.

Knowing your learning style is very important. You want to make sure you understand the material. Not just know the words, but really understand what's being taught.
 
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