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[EmtGeek]

Hey! Glad I found this forum. I'm currently an EMT-B and love the job. Been an EMT for about a year and a half (Cant believe its been over a year already) I'm also about to transfer to a local university to study pre-med.
I'm actually torn between pre-med and paramedic school right now. I would love to do both since I love pre-hospital and hospital based healthcare.
I thought about Physician Assistant because I heard of PA's working as paramedics part time. But, when I talk to fellow pre-meds they like to compare PA and MD saying that I wouldn't like this because I will always be working under a physician and be doing the work that MD's dont want to do. I would really miss pre-hospital EMS as a physician though.
Anyways im rambling right now.While I go to college and decide which career path to go down im glad I found a forum for fellow EMT's.

 

[the_negro_puppy]

Welcome.

With everything I have read on here about the US EMS system, you might be better off pursuing a career in medicine if you have the brains and ability to.

You will earn far more money, have way more career options and won't be doing 24-48 hour shifts.

Med is obviously a long an expensive road but worth it in the end. You could even work as an EMT during college, specialise in Emergency medicine / pre-hospital etc.

Not to sound discouraging but in some US states medics earn pittance which doesn't really compensate you for the constant fatigue and dangers you are exposed to.

 

[Akulahawk]

If you're considering Medical School, I'd say to NOT do Paramedic as it would be a detour from your goal. In short, it'll slow you down. It's a much longer road to get to where you're practicing and longer before you pay off student loans, but... if you're fairly young, your earning potential over your working career will be much higher than if you stop at Paramedic.

If that's your goal, check into what the Medical Schools require for entry to be competitive, aim for that as the minimum, and reach for the stars!