Need some advice: Feel Unprepared after EMT-B

[UCDingo7]

Hey everyone, I know this post may be long--but the help is greatly appreciated.

Well, I just completed my EMT-B course a few days ago but I'm really unsatisfied with my performance. The course wasn't accelerated, it was a full semester long and unfortunately, I had a lot of tough breaks during the semester (appendectomy, mononucleosis) that set me behind in all of my classes, most importantly--EMT. I was pretty much always playing catch up and it hindered my ability to absorb everything that was being taught, which lead to me doing mediocre on the exams. However, I ended up taking the final exam last week, and after copious amounts of studying I got a 88%, top 5 score in the class. Since I was absent for a few classes, my instructor wouldn't accept homework or rescheduled quizzes, which ended up really hurting my overall course grade.

I finished with a C+ in the course and have yet to take my psychomotor and national registry examinations. SO, I'm essentially seeking advice on what I should do next. I've contemplated taking an accelerated course this summer to overwrite that C+ (assuming I do better), as well as to gain more knowledge. Only downside is it'll cost me a good sum of money to do so. What do you all think would be the best option? Will the C+ look bad when I apply for paramedic school in the future?

Thanks.

 

[pcbguy]

I don't know of any place that checks your grades. That doesn't mean that some don't.

Most places I know of will give you an exam to take to test your knowledge. As long as you know the stuff.

Reminds me of something I heard one time -
"What do you call a doctor that made an A? - Doctor"
"What do you call a doctor that made a C? - Doctor"

Study the material and take your National Registry is what I would do. Unless you know for sure they will look at your grades then I wouldn't worry about it.

 

[rails]

I would personally do this:

1. Study the skill sheets extensively to prepare for the psychomotor test.
2. Sign-up for emt-national-training.com or a similar content review site and use it considerably over the next few weeks/months.
3. Take the tests (e.g. NREMT) needed for licensing.
4. Continue learning all that you can learn.

You have indicated that you don't know the knowledge as well as you desire. You are probably not going to give the quality of care that you personally desire to give. So I would keep learning and studying. It doesn't necessarily mean a formal EMT-B course again; it may outside reading of books or articles, or it may be paramedic school.

 

[LightBright07]

To be honest, move on. I was never the best in school. I only cared if i liked a subject, PE, Shop, ect. and any time I got a poor grade I tried harder and if I fell behind, I asked for help. Now my wife is in her master. When she gets even 1-2 questions wrong, she freaks out, all I tell her to keep trucking and do better next time.
Thats what im going to say too you, figure out your weak points and improve on them. good luck!

 

[ExpatMedic0]

I'm essentially seeking advice on what I should do next. I've contemplated taking an accelerated course this summer to overwrite that C+ (assuming I do better), as well as to gain more knowledge. Only downside is it'll cost me a good sum of money to do so. What do you all think would be the best option? Will the C+ look bad when I apply for paramedic school in the future?

Thanks.

Study the skill sheets, get a review book to study ( a lot of guys seem to like JBL learning one on here) and go get your EMT. In terms of the grade, it really depends on what you want to with your future and if it involves higher education. The C+ may not be the end of the world but that all depends on which university your trying to get into and for what major. I have a couple C's haunting me on my transcripts from over 10 years ago and I may retake those classes to make my application for graduate school more appealing. However, they did not affect my acceptance into community college or a regional university. Employer's likely wont care to much, In fact if you don't have a degree they wont even ask for your transcripts in most cases, just verify your NREMT and state EMT certificates. In terms of applying for Paramedic school with it, it really depends on the paramedic school. Its probably fine unless there are way more applicants than seats or something.