LucidResq
Forum Deputy Chief
- 2,031
- 3
- 0
For those who have expressed interest in an update on my situation, sorry if this is lengthy-
After considering various job/p-school opportunities in a wide range of areas such as Louisiana, New Mexico and Minnesota, I have decided to stay in CO and attend paramedic school in January 2010, at the same hospital system/college partnership EMS education institute I attended for my EMT-B.
I made this decision based on my highly satisfactory experience there in EMT school, due largely to the excellent instructors who have 10-35 years field experience as paramedics. The paramedic program is coordinated by Dennis Edgerly (a name that may be familiar as a JEMS columnist), an education supervisor who is an EMT-P with a M.Ed. in adult education currently working on his dissertation for his PhD in adult ed, and several other great instructors.
In the meantime I'll be working and fulfilling the pre-reqs- a second semester of combined anatomy and physiology (I've already done the first semester, and a semester of straight anatomy), basic EKG and IV.
Unsure of what my work situation will be. I will continue working at the amusement park through the season, but will be unable to continue to work at the OB-GYN clinic as it is University student employment and once I'm no longer a student there, I will have to leave. I am interviewing for an EMS/Fire dispatch position that I would die for next week. I think it would be quite compatible with medic school because I'll have plenty of downtime on the job to study, and will also likely be allowed to ride along and get some extra hands-on time.
I'd appreciate some advice.
I feel that my one weakness going into p-school will be a lack of experience on a rig. I know the whole "EMT experience before paramedic school" issue is a dead horse that I do not want to beat, but I'm just wondering what, if anything, can be done to amend that. Now, after 2 years in SAR, a year of direct patient care in OB-GYN, and what will be 6 months working for an ALS service at an amusement park, I definitely don't feel like I'm completely wet behind the ears (I think, most importantly, I have experience talking to patients as a care provider), but I have little or no experience in several things common to traditional EMS like driving an ambulance, dealing with frustrating nursing homes, even operating a pram (EMT school feels like a long time ago!). I'm sure these are things that will come easily with time, but it is an anxiety of mine.
My second question pertains to the courses I take this fall in prep. for medic school. I will likely have room in my schedule for another college course or two. Courses that I'm considering: microbio, pathophys, human growth and development (psych course), and abnormal psych. Any recommendations or suggestions?
Thank you all for your wonderful, continued support and advice. I'm so excited to take it to the next level.
After considering various job/p-school opportunities in a wide range of areas such as Louisiana, New Mexico and Minnesota, I have decided to stay in CO and attend paramedic school in January 2010, at the same hospital system/college partnership EMS education institute I attended for my EMT-B.
I made this decision based on my highly satisfactory experience there in EMT school, due largely to the excellent instructors who have 10-35 years field experience as paramedics. The paramedic program is coordinated by Dennis Edgerly (a name that may be familiar as a JEMS columnist), an education supervisor who is an EMT-P with a M.Ed. in adult education currently working on his dissertation for his PhD in adult ed, and several other great instructors.
In the meantime I'll be working and fulfilling the pre-reqs- a second semester of combined anatomy and physiology (I've already done the first semester, and a semester of straight anatomy), basic EKG and IV.
Unsure of what my work situation will be. I will continue working at the amusement park through the season, but will be unable to continue to work at the OB-GYN clinic as it is University student employment and once I'm no longer a student there, I will have to leave. I am interviewing for an EMS/Fire dispatch position that I would die for next week. I think it would be quite compatible with medic school because I'll have plenty of downtime on the job to study, and will also likely be allowed to ride along and get some extra hands-on time.
I'd appreciate some advice.
I feel that my one weakness going into p-school will be a lack of experience on a rig. I know the whole "EMT experience before paramedic school" issue is a dead horse that I do not want to beat, but I'm just wondering what, if anything, can be done to amend that. Now, after 2 years in SAR, a year of direct patient care in OB-GYN, and what will be 6 months working for an ALS service at an amusement park, I definitely don't feel like I'm completely wet behind the ears (I think, most importantly, I have experience talking to patients as a care provider), but I have little or no experience in several things common to traditional EMS like driving an ambulance, dealing with frustrating nursing homes, even operating a pram (EMT school feels like a long time ago!). I'm sure these are things that will come easily with time, but it is an anxiety of mine.
My second question pertains to the courses I take this fall in prep. for medic school. I will likely have room in my schedule for another college course or two. Courses that I'm considering: microbio, pathophys, human growth and development (psych course), and abnormal psych. Any recommendations or suggestions?
Thank you all for your wonderful, continued support and advice. I'm so excited to take it to the next level.
Last edited by a moderator: