Is it best to get experience before going to paramedic school

T

Tk11

Forum Captain
Messages
254
Reaction score
21
Points
18
I just got my emt license in August, and just started working with a private ambulance company. I don't have much experience at all. But I can take paramedic classes at the community college during the upcoming winter semester. I'd still plan to be working as an emt during that time, but don't know if I should jump into right away. And after I finish my paramedic stuff I don't know what I want to do other than fire Academy. I want more out of college than just my paramedic license even though I want to be a paramedic. Anyway would it be wise to get some road experience while taking some basic college classes to work toward an associates degree, then take medic later? Or jump right into it?
 
This has been covered many times, many different ways in this site.

Be prepared as you are about to get half who say yes and half who say no. All up to your independent situation, goals, and timelines.

I am someone who flip flopped. For years, I advocated experience first. Then I realized that mantra is all BS. Keep in mind I was also hypocritical in my earlier stance as I went straight to medic after being an EMT for a mere 3 months. After many years in EMS, many years teaching at the college level, and many years on reflection...my thoughts are go straight to it.
 
If you truly wish to do this for the long haul then go get your paramedic knocked out. You still have some study foundation from your EMT class so use it before you fall into a rut. I wish I went right into paramedic instead of taking a year.
 
My 2 cents is that I took a self imposed break from precepting medic students until the program changes the admission requirements. I was growing frustrated with medic students who struggled with talking to patients and performing a basic assessment. Thats one example of many.
 
epipusher said:
My 2 cents is that I took a self imposed break from precepting medic students until the program changes the admission requirements. I was growing frustrated with medic students who struggled with talking to patients and performing a basic assessment. Thats one example of many.
Click to expand...
Patient assessment is not something mastered overnight. I feel many students dont take full advantage of the lab time to practice skills. With that being said the NREMT pt assessment is a foundation to build off of. I know many medics that have their own way to assesment without following some cookie cutter format.
 
I found it to be much different out in the field than in the classroom. I'm glad I started working as an EMT. There is much to learn out there. For me, starting out with less responsibility was a good way to get my feet wet. Get to know what the whole EMS world is like before taking on more, is my advice.
 
I agree there's a ton to learn in the field as an EMT that'll be an incredible help for future medics, everything from ambulance and gurney ops to actually talking to and assessing real patients and just getting comfortable running BLS (whether that's IFT's, low level 911, or assisting medics on the more serious calls).

But I also find myself wishing I went to paramedic school 6-12 months after working in the field, I've been an EMT almost 3 years now and it's hard not to feel just a bit stagnant that there's not much else I can learn out in the field that'll make or break medic school. YMMV
 
As mentioned above, the most obvious skill is simply being able to talk to people. Very few of the calls you get will be true emergencies so the ability to carry on a conversation and make the patient feel as comfortable and cared for as possible, while teasing out the information you need to make a differential dx, will set you apart as a quality provider.

You don't need a lot of time on the ambo to learn how much of this skill you possess.
 
I'm just eager to get out there. I'll be on als units this week and into the next so I know that's going to want to me to get into medic school right away too, if we get good calls. I'm one of those people that if there's more for me to do I have to do it. It would annoy the hell out of me to be an emt for years knowing I can go to medic. Same with medic, I know we have critical care medics and that's something I'm going to want to do too when I'm able. Thanks for the replies. I want to wait but at the same time I want to get right into it.
 
Tk11 said:
I'm just eager to get out there. I'll be on als units this week and into the next so I know that's going to want to me to get into medic school right away too, if we get good calls. I'm one of those people that if there's more for me to do I have to do it. It would annoy the hell out of me to be an emt for years knowing I can go to medic. Same with medic, I know we have critical care medics and that's something I'm going to want to do too when I'm able. Thanks for the replies. I want to wait but at the same time I want to get right into it.
Click to expand...

Years as an EMT would probably be unnecessary. Just enough time to get used to the life. That's different for everyone. Sounds like you're already getting some good experience.
 
I think at least a year of experience should be enough. Friends of mines who went directly into medic school didn't get to see much like I have so far. They basically just have book knowledge and haven't really got practice their BLS skills on their own (BLS before ALS).
 
escapedcaliFF said:
Patient assessment is not something mastered overnight. I feel many students dont take full advantage of the lab time to practice skills. With that being said the NREMT pt assessment is a foundation to build off of. I know many medics that have their own way to assesment without following some cookie cutter format.
Click to expand...
I found my own way too. *walks in and sees patient for the first time* Me: Mam, when was last time you had your menstrual cycle? lol Patient: back in the 80s, sonny.

okay, I'm not funny. ;)
 
escapedcaliFF said:
Patient assessment is not something mastered overnight. I feel many students dont take full advantage of the lab time to practice skills. With that being said the NREMT pt assessment is a foundation to build off of. I know many medics that have their own way to assesment without following some cookie cutter format.
Click to expand...
I found my own way too. *walks in and sees patient for the first time* Me: Mam, when was last time you had your menstrual cycle? lol Patient: back in the 80s, sonny.

okay, I'm not funny. ;)
 
You get all kinds of opinions, and really I don't think there is one right answer. Experience isn't a bad thing to have first, but on the other hand there are people who went straight through and worked as an EMT while doing medic school and are good medics. I am going straight through mostly because of how my school program has fallen. When I am in my medic rides, I tend to stand back some and watch how they run things while seeing how my own plans/ideas/thoughts etc compare to how the call goes. When I am at work, I have no problem getting in there and talking to patients. Even though it is mostly IFT, talking to the patients is honestly one of my favorite parts of my job and I always have one patient who just makes my day awesome.

I'm not sure if my IFT experience will help on calls like the one I ran last week ( bad MVA), but it certainly helps build your interpersonal skills, your routine/ comfort of how you like things to flow, and little ways of getting better at patient advocacy.

Do whatever works for you and makes you happy, just make sure which ever route you go you make sure you actually care about what you are doing and put effort into being proficient at it.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top