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Enixia

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Hello there!

I'm so excited to be a part of this forum. I just signed up to start my EMT training this fall. I have been working in Retail for a long time and really want to get into med school to persue my career of becoming a surgeon. I really want to work in an industry that is actually related to my field. So I decided EMT is for me. There are other reasons of course.

Mainly, I wanted some advice. Any advice for getting a company to hire you after you get your certification? Are there places I can volunteer this summer that will aid my ability to get a job once I'm certified?

Any tips are soo very welcome and greatly appreciated!:ph34r:
 
Enixia said:
I have been working in Retail for a long time and really want to get into med school to persue my career of becoming a surgeon.
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How are your pre-reqs coming along?
 
I just got CPR - Adult/child/infant and First Aid certified, because that is the pre-req for enrolling in the class at the college. However, I just found out that I took the wrong level of CPR certification. So I re-enrolled and will be taking the CPR for Professional Rescuers next week as that is the actual pre-req for the EMT -Basic training. I am currently working on my AA in college. that's pretty much it.
 
Enixia said:
I am currently working on my AA in college. that's pretty much it.
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That's what I was looking for. If you're serious about medical school, your primary focus needs to be getting into a 4 year undergrad program and completing the med school pre-reqs (1 year of g-chem, o-chem, physics, chemistry with associated labs. Additional pre-reqs that varies by school normally includes a semester of biochem, a year of math (2 semesters of calculus or semester of calc, semseter of stats), and a year of psychology. EMS experience won't make up for a low GPA or MCAT score.
 
Agreed.

Right now I'm taking my General Ed classes to fullfill my reqs. for AA and transfer units. Once completed I will be transfering to a 4 year college for my BS with Emphasis on pre-med. My current Major is Biological Sciences.
 
thankfuly, my grades are my forte and most especially in my Science and Math. I most def. understand their importance when applying for medical school.
 
Listen to JP.

But I would add that while biochemistry may not be required. It sure does help a lot. It is covered in medical school, but there is a lot to know so the head start will save you a lot of grief later.

If you are going to a community college, I would suggest finding a university. Even classes of the same title are usually much more indepth at the university than at the community colleges. The depth of understanding will be very important for your MCAT.

Also be cautious of joining "premed" pograms that don't end in a degree of some sort. There is no "premed degree" it is usually just a compilation of material you need to complete.

If you ae looking at being a general surgeon, you will need a 4 year degree, 4 years of med school, 5 years of residency. If you are looking for other surgical disciplines you can expect 6 or even 7 years of residency/fellowship.

Surgeon is a very long road. (but worth every day of it :) )
 
Wow I'm so impressed with you two. Your responses are very quick and full of helpful info. I thought this place would help I didn't realize it would so much.

And thank you JP for those details.

My goal is to get out of community college asap and get into an University, I agree that it's very broad at the community level.

Veneficus, regarding your last line Surgeon is a very long road. (but worth every day of it

Are you a surgeon?

And yes I agree it will all be very worth it.

Obviously in order to pay the bills I am working a job, but I really want to be working in the field of medicine in some form or another while going to school, hence my desire to become an EMT. I am trying to find volunteer work with our local hospital, I was just wondering if there is any volunteer work that would benifit the EMT training.

I am wanting to help increase my competitive edge when everyone in my class leaves with an EMT-B certificate, how can I stand out?
 
Enixia said:
Are you a surgeon?
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I am not a surgeon yet, however, I am not at the start of the road.

JP was kind enough to slap me down today and remind me that even though I started before him, It will still take me 1/3 more time to get where i am going than where it looks like he wants to go.
:)
 
Veneficus said:
I am not a surgeon yet, however, I am not at the start of the road.

JP was kind enough to slap me down today and remind me that even though I started before him, It will still take me 1/3 more time to get where i am going than where it looks like he wants to go.
:)
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Oh, please... different countries, different training systems. For example, from my understanding medical school itself in England is fairly easy. Of course their residency period ("house officers") are a lot longer than, say, the US. I'm not familiar with how the medical education system where you're at is though...
 
Lol.

Well I really appreciate your comments and replies. It's nice to get advice from people who are actually in the field and working towards goals themselves. I can't tell you how many times I've been shot down and told it's too hard and too give up and all of that.

What non-medical professional individuals don't realize is that this is my passion, and it's what I have always wanted and seen myself doing. The reason I'm starting a little later than some people is because I explored any other potential careers I could see myself in because I wanted to be sure that this is it for me. I am most def. sure that this is it. I also understand once I am actually in Medschool, I'll be exposed to other types of doctoring professions and might even change my mind once I'm there, but until then, I've got my sights set and I'm moving forward.


I'm sure you both have had experience with what I'm referring to. =P
 
JPINFV said:
Oh, please... different countries, different training systems. For example, from my understanding medical school itself in England is fairly easy. Of course their residency period ("house officers") are a lot longer than, say, the US. I'm not familiar with how the medical education system where you're at is though...
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Anyone who says the total of medical school is easy or easier here is fooling themselves. It isn't that med school that takes forever, it is the US residency and fellowship I am after.

I think it would be accurate to say my first year was easier than your first year is, but we quickly ramp up in the second year, at least equal to your 1st and second years, which lasts until the final semester of our 4th year when it calms down a little. But that is temporary until our 5th, and our 6th is considered absolutely ruthless by the upper classmen I speak with because there is considerable autonomy that you are held accountable for.
 
I'm current hold NREMT certification (I'll probably go inactive for a period cycle and then drop it if I'm still not using it) and my Massachusetts cert hasn't expired yet (no plans to renew since, well, I'm on the other side of the country now).
 
Veneficus said:
Anyone who says the total of medical school is easy or easier here is fooling themselves. It isn't that med school that takes forever, it is the US residency and fellowship I am after.

I think it would be accurate to say my first year was easier than your first year is, but we quickly ramp up in the second year, at least equal to your 1st and second years, which lasts until the final semester of our 4th year when it calms down a little. But that is temporary until our 5th, and our 6th is considered absolutely ruthless by the upper classmen I speak with because there is considerable autonomy that you are held accountable for.
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See... that's the problem with comparing systems. Most people have only experienced one system and, for the most part, the information itself isn't exactly hard. It's the volume and time frame it's taught in.
 
I have both OH and PA paramedic credentials, and OH EMS instructor credentials.

I worked in various emergency services in a variety of places until a bunch of physicians stong armed me into finishing an undergrad degree and going to med school.

I do not suggest trying to replicate that route, I am not the first nor the last, but it is much more time consuming and requires a lot more luck than anyone should ever depend on.
 
I am looking at getting into the MBChB (BMed and BSurg) for 2012, which requires I complete the following

POPLHLTH 111 Population Health
MEDSCI 142 Biology for Biomedical Science: Organ Systems
BIOSCI 107 Biology for Biomedical Science: Cellular Processes and Development
CHEM 110 Chemistry of the Living World
BIOSCI 101 Essential Biology: From Genomes to Organisms
BIOSCI 106 Foundations of Biochemistry
PHYSICS 160 Physics for the Life Sciences

Interestingly here med school is undergrad but I already have an undergrad degree however my GPA is like one point shy of being able to apply for graduate entry. So I figure I will put next year into doing my pre-reqs.

Its gonna be hard man, all I know about chemistry was years ago and that I disliked it, physics I have absolutely no clue about and biology should be a little easier as I have some A&P courses under my belt.

Then I have to do two nonclinical years, two clinical years, trainee intern year, house officer year, senior house officer year, basic anaesthesia years 1 and 2 then advanced anaesthesia years 3, 4 and 5.

... even that doesn't guarentee me that damn jumpsuit with "HELICOPTER DOCTOR" on it.

I wonder how much one of those things costs :P
 
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JPINFV said:
See... that's the problem with comparing systems. Most people have only experienced one system and, for the most part, the information itself isn't exactly hard. It's the volume and time frame it's taught in.
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Very true, it really is an apples to oranges comparison. But even if I was offered a full ride to Harvard, kowing what i know now, I would choose to come here over that any day and twice on Sunday.

I also think it is fair to say that our volume is similar to yours because of the depth we go to in our basic sciences. For example, we have to learn how the structures evolved as well as what they are in gross/clinical.

(I credit that education on why I can type 15,000 characters on why a longspine board isn't indicated nd still not say everything I want :) )
 
I should also point out now that difference and relative difficulty doesn't necessarilly mean better.
 
JPINFV said:
I should also point out now that difference and relative difficulty doesn't necessarilly mean better.
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I don't think there is any way to objectively call one "better."

It is simply subjective based on personal values.
 
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