First off - I know there are many threads regarding Lenoir CC, PERCOM, and NMETC hybrid paramedic programs. I've read pages and pages of these posts and have received a wealth of knowledge from these posts. I am currently a police officer looking to get my paramedic to one, work on the side as a medic, and two, become my department's SWAT medic. Due to my full time work obligations, I cannot attend a traditional medic school. I have about 3 months hospital experience and 3 months ambulance experience as an EMT-B (not including law enforcement work), so I don't even qualify for most traditional paramedic programs in southern California that require 6-12 months of prehospital 911 experience.
That being said, I'm trying to get help deciding between Lenoir CC and NMECT. I ruled out Percom because the skills days take place on multiple weekends and I work weekends as a police officer, so it would be very difficult for me to get so many weekends off work.
Lenoir CC - the cost is enticing at $1,600, as with the 10 month format. Allows me to get my certification quickly. The down side is I'd have to ensure I can get 4 weeks off work in that 10 month period to attend the four, 4 day skills sessions. I have also heard the attrition rate is extremely high, starting with 20-30 people and only finishing with about 5 people - this is caused by the intensity of a distance program being 10 months.
NMETC - The cost is a big turn off at $9,200, plus $200 application fee and additional fees likely. It is a 16-18 month program, which may make the intensity of a paramedic program more manageable given my other life obligations. That being said, it will also take a year and a half to get my EMTP. The 10 day boot camp sounds intense but I would only need to get one week off of work, instead of 4 separate weeks from Lenoir CC.
From what I've read based on both programs, I should be able to complete all my clinicals and field work here in the Los Angeles area, which is crucial to me as I don't want to keep traveling from Los Angeles to the east coast.
I've read both programs are great programs - Lenoir CC has pretty close to a 100% first time NREMTP pass rate, whereas NMETC is still good with 91%. Does anyone else have any pointers or suggestions? Thanks!
That being said, I'm trying to get help deciding between Lenoir CC and NMECT. I ruled out Percom because the skills days take place on multiple weekends and I work weekends as a police officer, so it would be very difficult for me to get so many weekends off work.
Lenoir CC - the cost is enticing at $1,600, as with the 10 month format. Allows me to get my certification quickly. The down side is I'd have to ensure I can get 4 weeks off work in that 10 month period to attend the four, 4 day skills sessions. I have also heard the attrition rate is extremely high, starting with 20-30 people and only finishing with about 5 people - this is caused by the intensity of a distance program being 10 months.
NMETC - The cost is a big turn off at $9,200, plus $200 application fee and additional fees likely. It is a 16-18 month program, which may make the intensity of a paramedic program more manageable given my other life obligations. That being said, it will also take a year and a half to get my EMTP. The 10 day boot camp sounds intense but I would only need to get one week off of work, instead of 4 separate weeks from Lenoir CC.
From what I've read based on both programs, I should be able to complete all my clinicals and field work here in the Los Angeles area, which is crucial to me as I don't want to keep traveling from Los Angeles to the east coast.
I've read both programs are great programs - Lenoir CC has pretty close to a 100% first time NREMTP pass rate, whereas NMETC is still good with 91%. Does anyone else have any pointers or suggestions? Thanks!
