if you were in my shoes....

gicts

gicts

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I've got a week left of my EMT-B class and am not sure where to go from there. I'm looking for advice from some of you seasoned veterans. I couldn't resist making a list and color coding it

I am/have

Senior to be in college with 2 semesters left of a weak degree

21 years old


I have done my ride time and really enjoyed the patient contacts, overall system and of course going code 3 :)

needing at minimum a part time job after EMT class is over


I didn't enjoy during my ride time waiting around at the fire house and being so unproductive (I'm sure it'd be a welcomed relief though if I were being paid.)

My options

I have a possibility of being hired by the city full time with 12 hour shifts:
1. decent pay for someone going to school
2. would add a minimum of a year on to my graduation date if I can fit it with a work schedule
3. chance to help and feel as though I've made a difference

apply as an ER tech
1. not many openings at the moment
2. perhaps the best chance to go to school full time and have a job which will work around it

What would you all choose? Are there other options which I am overlooking?

Whenever I talk to people in the ambulance field, I am routinely told to shoo and to finish my degree, then "get a real job". I am intrigued and attracted to what I've been learning and would like to put it to use in some form.

Private ambulance service
1. from what I hear, are treated like dogs
2. noticeably less pay than city
3. possibly work part time and around my school schedule
 
Finish your college degree, you'll thank me later. I finished a college degree with a double major and a minor while working part time as an EMT-Basic at a private service. I got a good mix of 911/BLS calls when going into it I thought I'd just be doing BLS transfers.

Always finish college, I can't tell you how many partners and friends I have that are only a year or less away from a college degree but never finished.
 
Remember what they call a college drop-out? .. Yeah, a college drop out. Although, there are many degrees out there that is not as attractable they are still a degree. When in competition, and everything is equal; usually the one with the degree will win.

I don't know how many jobs I have seen that preferred a degree.

R/r 911
 
I was in a similar situation just recently. I chose to finish my degree through the wisdom of some seasoned medics and some of my more life experienced friends. It will give you a leg up when appyling for jobs. Some education is better than none!
 
Thanks guys. I 100% intend to continue college and finish my degree. It just seems silly to wait until after I get a college degree in a year to become an EMT. Why not apply now and put what I have learned to the test? Regardless of which path mentioned above that I take, in 2 years I should be at the same point, an EMT with a college degree.

It is really getting at me and I am having a hard time making up my mind. The city opening apparently is a nice opportunity. The chief came and spoke, saying he would look at the class before looking at the other applicants, which he said were in the hundreds. I'm not certain why, but he mentioned something about an upcoming shift change and vacation time.

It sounds like everyone is pushing I stay in school. What would you recommend I do in order to keep up with my training and job wise?
 
Do yourself a favor and finish your degree. If you must take a part time job. take the one that best fits your education schedule. You are young. You will have plenty of time to work later. Many people who "take time off" from their degree never go back. It's no fun being 40 years old, out of work, no degree or certifications hanging out of your pocket and competing with degree carrying 20 somethings for a job. Been there, done that and wore out the Tee shirt. It's also no fun going back to school in your 40's and studying your a** off. However, I'm glad I did because I love the job.

Oh! Don't think the next 20 years will take as long to go by as the first 20 either. I can almost guarantee it will go by much faster. Time is relative, not constant. The older you get, the faster it goes.
 
Bottom line is that, especially as close as you are, you should stay and finish your degree. As for how you should keep your medical knowledge up, that depends.

Out of curiousity:
What is your degree in?
Why did you take an EMT class to begin with?
Is this what you want to do with your life?

If EMS is where you want to go, then don't worry to much about it right now. If you can find a part-time job as an ER Tech or as a Basic on a 911 ambulance (and NOT a NETS "ambulance") great, but you should still stay and finish your degree. If you can't, no biggie. Get your degree and then go to paramedic school. You'll thank me later. ;)

If EMS is not what you want to do, or you aren't sure, then it's basically the same thing. Find a part-time job, but don't neglect your degree, especially if you aren't sure if this is for you. If you can't...don't worry about. You won't be in school that long, and there isn't a whole lot in the Basic curriculum to forget. Come back to it later.

If you are really that worried about forgetting something and can't get a job, see if you can go back to your school as a lab assistant, or audit some of the classes.

But really, don't worry about it right now.
 
Thanks for the advice guys, I'm sure your help is something that will save me many headaches and troubles

What is your degree in? justice Administration. At one point I wanted to be a cop/ be in the police field. Honestly now I feel like its a waste and the best that will come out of it is getting a degree. Where it'll get me I have no clue
Why did you take an EMT class to begin with?I was able to fit the free B) 2 month course into going to school and work. My brother is an Er[ tech and talked me into it. I'm very glad that he did.
Is this what you want to do with your life? yes, but I can't imagine myself with a family and children later on continuing to be a EMT. One of my preceptors had been an EMT for 24 years. His biggest regret he said was missing out on his children's activities. I'm young and while I am I would love to be able to take advantage of not having a family yet. Whether it be working funky hours or being able to deal with some of the not so glamorous people and not feel like I am putting my children at risks.
 
thanks to all. I decided to continue school full time. I landed a very part time job at the Red Cross and am interviewing for ER tech and part time private ambulance service.
 
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