Intensive or Standard training

[Wolfpack87]

There is a highly recommended training facility in my state that offers a 2-week intensive training course, as well as a 3 month Standard course for EMT-B training.

I have a good knowledge of the medical field and many practices simply from growing up in a family that is 99% medical, but I am worried that I could jump into the intensive course and find out that I can't float as well as I hope. (this is in no way a lack of confidence, simply a recognition of reality.)

first question, regardless of which course I choose, what are some good study resources that could help me prepare for the training portion of the course?

Second, has anyone had good/bad experience with an intensive course?

 

[ejd372]

1.) There are lots of decent study resources out there on the internet. A site I ran across called emtb.com has some free practice tests and study materials. Also, a lot of the textbooks come with CDs or web based study materials and you could check and see if you library has any EMT-B study books. It all depends on how you like to study.


2.) Some people I knew took a similar intensive course, but I took the long format. I've realized that it seems like the people who took the intensive class knew just enough to scrape by the state exam and those who took the long class were able to actually know enough to be good EMTs. Some classes (short and long) are better than others, but I would be very hesitant to go with the intensive class unless you are willing to spend a good deal of time learning outside of class what they speed over. Ask people who have experience with the specific program, since all I know about is the ones near where I live.

 

[Shishkabob]

I don't really ever recommend the sped-up style EMT class, but realistically, 120 hours is 120 hours, regardless of whether it's over 3 weeks or 3 months. The difference is how you approach it, and as long as you take it seriously and not just a way to pass the test, you can do fine.

 

[bigbaldguy]

I've realized that it seems like the people who took the intensive class knew just enough to scrape by the state exam and those who took the long class were able to actually know enough to be good EMTs.

I'm one of the guys that took the quickie class and I really regret doing it. It had almost no hands on time and honestly was a lousy class. I truly believe i would be a better basic if i had taken the course at a community college, now Im scrambling trying to pick up the skills i wasn't shown in class. Yours might be better but my advice is if you have the time do the longer course and steer clear of for profit schools. If you do decide to do the fast course try and find out what text they will be using and have it read by the first day of class. Then when you go back through it in class it will be a review rather than new info. Doing this really helped me out when I took the fast course. Good luck

 

[HotelCo]

Mine was 240 + clinicals.

Two semesters (10 weeks each), 12 hours per week.

 

[Icenine]

In my aor the intensive classes are for repeat offenders (license lapses, etc) and bridge from other disciplines.

I woyuld always recommend the longer course if you can. You will get more chances to absorb and process what you learn. I like to take a couple days for each chapter, helps make sure you can research areas that you want more info on.

 

[firetender]

It's up to you...

and what you do with the space in-between. If you go for long-term courses, you have the opportunity to more gradually absorb and assimilate the info. It also grants you time to do a little more research/reading/practice.

Short term it's all about "Next!" How full and fast do you want your cranium filled? And then how quickly can your body adjust to the info?

Who would you prefer to work on you?

That might be the only question you need to ask yourself.

 

[Wolfpack87]

Thanks for all the responses! I think I was expecting exactly what you all said, but I'm glad to hear that others agree. The ONLY reason I would consider the intensive course is because of my availability. My current job is willing to give me the 2-3 weeks off for the course. The alternative is going to school on my off days, and being unavailable for my family for a few months. :glare:

I have given much thought to getting the material ahead of time, and studying on my own before starting this course. (so that the actual training is more of a refresher before the test) Plus, I have friends and family that would be more than willing to help me prepare for the course as well as the NREMT.

Lastly, Firetender I think said it best... who would I rather have working on me... I agree with this completely, but I also know that the amount of effort and heart put into the training and out-of-school training is what makes a great medic (EMT-B,I,P).

 

[Wolfpack87]

I am having trouble finding what training material will be used... I'm sure I can contact the course leader, but does anyone know if there is a standerdized book that they use, or is it open to the leaders disgression?

 

[ejd372]

There are a few different books out there. They all contain the DOT's teaching objectives and cover pretty much the same material, are all a little bit different in how they approach it. Not to mention that there are multiple versions of each text. If you contact the school, I would assume that they could tell you what they use, or you could ask past students (and hope they don't change).

 

[usafmedic45]

Outside of the military, any condensed course should immediately be viewed as suspect.

 

[Wolfpack87]

Outside of the military, any condensed course should immediately be viewed as suspect.

I hear that, and I would agree... but this sites accelerated course is one of the best in the state in general... it's not only accredited, but it is listed on our state DHS page more than any other.

By the Way, I found an AAOS 9th addition book which is what a local fire station said that they use for their current courses. anyone have experience with this book?

 

[usafmedic45]

but this sites accelerated course is one of the best in the state in general...

According to whom?

it's not only accredited,

So is University of Phoenix and other diploma mills.

but it is listed on our state DHS page more than any other.

What do you mean "listed more than any other"?

By the Way, I found an AAOS 9th addition book which is what a local fire station said that they use for their current courses. anyone have experience with this book?

Woefully inadequate as a stand alone text. Not that any of the EMT textbooks are particularly great, but the AAOS is marginal even in that group.

 

[Wolfpack87]

Woefully inadequate as a stand alone text. Not that any of the EMT textbooks are particularly great, but the AAOS is marginal even in that group.

what book would you suggest? I am completely open to suggestions, this is just the one that I was told about. what one did you use?

As for whom, a local training instructor that said he has seen a lot of good come from them, and my local Rural/Metro that put them at the top of a list of about 10 places to get certified in Indiana. As to "the most on the state site", they offer more courses, both in type (emt-b, emt-i, medic, cpr, PHTLS, etc...) and in availability (such as running multiple courses each month, unlike other places who offer a class every few months.

 

[usafmedic45]

what book would you suggest? I am completely open to suggestions, this is just the one that I was told about. what one did you use?

Honestly, the only good EMS textbooks for inital training are the paramedic level textbooks by Bryan Bledsoe. They are pretty thorough, easy to read and if you ever have a question you can't otherwise get answered, Dr. Bledsoe is a nice guy who is a friend to many of the "senior" members of this forum. He's arguably the most approachable of the docs who contribute heavily to the EMS world.

 

[JPINFV]

Outside of the military, any condensed course should immediately be viewed as suspect.

I think it depends on the definition of condensed. A 2 week course? Meh, ok, yea. I can see that. Let's say that the EMT course is 120 hours with 20 hours of clinicals combined. 5 hour sessions is not unreasonable, and at 100 hours left leads to 20 days. Does it matter if I do 1 5 hour session a week for 5 months, 2 5 hour sessions a week for 2.5 months, or 3 5 hour sessions a week for about a month and a half? I wouldn't consider any of those to be condensed, but the total calendar lengths are drastically different.

 

[Wolfpack87]

I think it depends on the definition of condensed. A 2 week course? Meh, ok, yea. I can see that. Let's say that the EMT course is 120 hours with 20 hours of clinicals combined. 5 hour sessions is not unreasonable, and at 100 hours left leads to 20 days. Does it matter if I do 1 5 hour session a week for 5 months, 2 5 hour sessions a week for 2.5 months, or 3 5 hour sessions a week for about a month and a half? I wouldn't consider any of those to be condensed, but the total calendar lengths are drastically different.

This is an amazing point! The course is 140 hours with 16 hours of that being clinical, whether you take the standard or the accelerated. I guess this was the heart of my question.. seeing that the two courses are exactly alike in content and actual course time, there shouldn't be an issue. I just wanted to see if others had trouble soaking it all in in that amount of time. (no days in-between to study independently.) I know I would obviously study after the training before attempting the NREMT.