My road to Paramedic school and a full time Job

bizzy522

bizzy522

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Hoping to help some fellow EMTs looking to go to school and still pay the bills.

Let me start by an introduction, I'm Ryan. I have lived in the great state of Idaho all my life. I got my emt-i in 2011 and was happily working for a 911 system. About a year into it I decided that I wanted to get my paramedic. I got the prereqs out of the way for the program I wanted to attend. Math 123, A&P, Psych, and English 101. Fast forward a year. I applied and interviewed for the program and got accepted. All is great... but Naw.
I found that the programs schedule would conflict with my current work schedule. I saw that I could do some shift trades but that would only work until we started clinicals. I would have had to drop down to part time. With bills and life I couldn't do it. One of my co workers told me about Acadian. I did the research and found that they offer a paramedic program that will work around their schedule. I decided to pull the trigger. I left behind my family, friends, and my life in Idaho. Granted I know that not everyone can just drop their life and move. For myself it worked out, no kids, no mortgage, etc.
How it works is we work an 2-2-3 schedule. On our days off we go to school for 8 hours. We have every other fri-sun off. The program is literally half the price of Idahos programs.. the total cost including all books is 5500. They offer to deduct it out of your pay checks for 105 per check. The program is 15 months long and so far has been a really good program. Nice campus, good equipment, smart instructor with 20 years under his belt, and a well put together schedule.
Like I said earlier I know this wont help everyone but I hope that it will help someone. Acadian will not be my "End Game" company that Ill hang my hat on. But I am thankful for the opportunity to get my paramedic. Hope this helps.
 
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acadian in texas? that sounds like a pretty sweet set up, not to mention guaranteed internship and im sure theyll employ you once your license.
its very hard to leave your life behind but sounds like itll be worth it in the end.
good luck
 
Angel said:
acadian in texas? that sounds like a pretty sweet set up, not to mention guaranteed internship and im sure theyll employ you once your license.
its very hard to leave your life behind but sounds like itll be worth it in the end.
good luck
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Hey thanks! And Yep Acadian in Southeast Texas. So Beaumont area:)
 
Hi Bizzy,

Just a question for clarification: is the program and your job essentially the same thing? I mean do you work for them full-time as an EMT while they also train you in their paramedic school? If so, could you give a few details about the work schedule, pay, benefits, etc.?

Many thanks!
EM
 
Emergency Metaphysics said:
Hi Bizzy,

Just a question for clarification: is the program and your job essentially the same thing? I mean do you work for them full-time as an EMT while they also train you in their paramedic school? If so, could you give a few details about the work schedule, pay, benefits, etc.?

Many thanks!
EM[/

They are separate. Although Acadian technically houses the program and all of the students are Acadian employees. We get taught UT curriculum. They don't teach you Acadian Paramedic protocols, they teach you national registry standards and protocols. We work full-time hours on the ambulance, on our days off we go to school .The 2-2-3 schedule ends up being 84 hour work weeks. So you will be working on an ambulance for Acadian during your work week, during your days off you will be in the classroom. Every two weeks, you get Friday Saturday Sunday completely off(no work or school and happens to be on payday weekend). Pay starts out at about $13 an hour for an EMT. They have decent medical and dental.
Click to expand...
 
bizzy522 said:
They are separate. Although Acadian technically houses the program and all of the students are Acadian employees. We get taught UT curriculum. They don't teach you Acadian Paramedic protocols, they teach you national registry standards and protocols. We work full-time hours on the ambulance, on our days off we go to school .The 2-2-3 schedule ends up being 84 hour work weeks. So you will be working on an ambulance for Acadian during your work week, during your days off you will be in the classroom. Every two weeks, you get Friday Saturday Sunday completely off(no work or school and happens to be on payday weekend). Pay starts out at about $13 an hour for an EMT. They have decent medical and dental.
Click to expand...

This is interesting. What's the place like to live? I'd be bringing just my wife and a dog, so no kids to worry about (i.e., I couldn't care less about school system, etc). I don't want to move us to the ghetto, either. I'll have to look at Acadian's web site if I can find it.

M.
 
Well I moved from Boise Idaho which is a beautiful city. Coming to Beaumont Texas is fairly disappointing LOL. It's hot, it's humid, it's flat, and all the water here is brown(like swamp water). But honestly if you came here with the mindset that I did to better your career, put your time in and get your Paramedic cert, then move to a place you want to live. You will do just fine. I would live on the west side of Beaumont... It is a decent side of town. Stay away from the east side or south east side.
 
Beaumont is considered one of the arm pits of Texas haha. I would never live there permanently but if you are just trying to get some school out of the way it is a viable option.

Youre paying for the school right? I know Acadian will pay for your medic but its about two years of employment you owe them after you finish.
 
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