Interested in Becoming an EMT

[Mike M]

Hello everyone, apologies if this isn't the right place to ask this - I really don't have much info and thought this site would be a good place to start. So, I'm 19 years old and currently enrolled in LA Harbor College here in Southern Los Angeles. I was planning on getting an Associates Degree in Nursing and becoming an R.N., but after really doing my research into the different medical professions, I became really interested in becoming an EMT. There's just something about the work environment, what they do, and how they help people that really makes this seem like a meaningful profession to me. And yes I know it's not always saving lives like on TV, and that it's not as lucrative as what I initially was going to major in, but it nonetheless seems like the job for me.

But I really don't know even where to start, so I figured that I'd come here to ask. There's a EMT-B course here at my local community college, but is there anything I should know before I enroll? I mean anything from things I should do first (as I have NO experience in the medical field) to just how you think I can best prepare myself. Also, does prestige of a program really matter in this job field? If you guys know any better schools in the area, I'd be happy to know. But basically I was just wondering how you guys think I should best set myself up for success as a prospective EMT.

And if anyone wouldn't mind, is there anything else about the profession itself that would be important to know before taking the plunge? I've read quite a bit into it and I'm almost positive it's where I'd at least love to start my adult career, but anything specific on what I can expect from this choice would be greatly appreciated. Anyways, I'll stop there, as I fear this is getting a bit too long. Feel free to throw at me anything you want, about whatever caught your eye in this post. I don't demand any answers but if anyone would like to share It'd be greatly appreciated!

Thank you,

- Mike M.

 

[DesertMedic66]

A college level A&P class will help as well as a medical terminology class.

The majority of EMT classes take people from the streets with zero medical knowledge and hopefully teach them.

Attending a good EMT program will help you pass NREMT and will hopefully give you a decent foundation to build on. Once you get your national cert and your state cert no one will care what program you attended.

Being an EMT is nothing like what is shown on TV. Being an EMT in LA/OC is even worse. As an EMT you will probably work long hours, have horrible working environments, bad equipment, management who doesn't really care, and 1/4 of the pay as nurses.

 

[Mike M]

Thanks for the reply! Yeah I was thinking those classes would be good - I'll make sure to look into them for the spring semester as preparation. And yeah, my question about the prestige of the program was something I already had an idea of what the answer would be lol, just being paranoid and making sure.

Well, I appreciate you sharing. I definitely understand the downsides of the business - I guess I might be crazy but it still seems like something I want to pursue. I'll definitely keep an open mind (that's what got me to this point after all); I'm glad to hear about it from someone in the profession.

 

[VentMonkey]

Hello everyone, apologies if this isn't the right place to ask this - I really don't have much info and thought this site would be a good place to start. So, I'm 19 years old and currently enrolled in LA Harbor College here in Southern Los Angeles. I was planning on getting an Associates Degree in Nursing and becoming an R.N., but after really doing my research into the different medical professions, I became really interested in becoming an EMT. There's just something about the work environment, what they do, and how they help people that really makes this seem like a meaningful profession to me. And yes I know it's not always saving lives like on TV, and that it's not as lucrative as what I initially was going to major in, but it nonetheless seems like the job for me.

But I really don't know even where to start, so I figured that I'd come here to ask. There's a EMT-B course here at my local community college, but is there anything I should know before I enroll? I mean anything from things I should do first (as I have NO experience in the medical field) to just how you think I can best prepare myself. Also, does prestige of a program really matter in this job field? If you guys know any better schools in the area, I'd be happy to know. But basically I was just wondering how you guys think I should best set myself up for success as a prospective EMT.

And if anyone wouldn't mind, is there anything else about the profession itself that would be important to know before taking the plunge? I've read quite a bit into it and I'm almost positive it's where I'd at least love to start my adult career, but anything specific on what I can expect from this choice would be greatly appreciated. Anyways, I'll stop there, as I fear this is getting a bit too long. Feel free to throw at me anything you want, about whatever caught your eye in this post. I don't demand any answers but if anyone would like to share It'd be greatly appreciated!

Thank you,

- Mike M.

If your end goal is nursing, stick with that. I'm not saying don't pursue your EMT if that's also on your checklist, but IMO nursing would be the way to go in the long run, and I am sure you could find many threads in this forum that echo this, and people who would agree.

I too came from the LA County EMS system, so know first hand how tough it is to make a career out of is, especially in that county, unless of course, you become a firefighter.

Good luck to you in all your future endeavors, and if you do end up sticking with the nursing route, at minimum shoot for your BSN. My wife is now going back for hers, it's just about mandatory at many local area hospitals, and just looks so much better in the long run.