Paramedic accelerated or traditional program

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med22

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Hello,

I have been accepted to paramedic in two different programs. One is accelerated and the other is a traditional program. I am wondering what course I would get more out of the become a great paramedic and to know my stuff.

Thanks
 
In my opinion I would choose the traditional program over the accelerated one. I do not know what level of ems training you have currently, but there is a lot of stuff to learn to become a paramedic. While the accelerated program will be quicker it will also require you to learn very rapidly with little room to fall behind. Even with some of the Medics nthat come out of the traditional programs and immediately start working as a medic I have found that they struggle. So I would reccomend the traditional as it will give you more time to ask question and work on things you may not be great at.
 
Which schedule works better for you?
Compare the costs of the programs.
Which school has a better reputation?
Are you able to learn in a shortened time frame?
Which program is closer to where you live?

There is no right answer as to which program you should take. There are a lot of variables to consider. As many people on this site have stated in the past, it all depends on what you put into the program. You can come from a very good program and be a horrible medic or the complete opposite.
 
are both programs accredited and taught at a college for college credit?
 
Both are about the same price. As far as accreditation both are taught through a college and for the national accreditation they are both in the verification phase. Which you can still take the national registry after the course.
 
Like other have said it just depends on which one work best for you. I'm impatient and chose an accelerated course I didn't want to spend up to 2 years in class, but on the down side I had no life outside of class for 6 months.
 
The only difference between the course length is 6 month compared to 1 year. I have never done an accelerated class. I am at the emt-b level and have about 4 years experience.
 
med22 said:
The only difference between the course length is 6 month compared to 1 year. I have never done an accelerated class. I am at the emt-b level and have about 4 years experience.
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A friend of mine recently went through a year long course. M-F, all day.

How is your accelerated course scheduled? M-F as well, or weekends as well?

  • Go with a six month program, and it's done and over with in six months. Who cares if you don't have a life for those six months.
  • Go with a year long program and you'll get the time to better digest the information, understand it more, and possibly come out a better medic.
Only you can make this decision though. Will you be able to digest the information and pass the tests on the first go around? Will you do better if you take a little longer?
 
If they are both CAAHEP accredited, and both result in college credit, it is really your preference. My program worked like this 9am-5pm Monday-Thursday for 6 months, 3 months of clinical time and 3 months of field internship, my total hours where 1300-1400 something. I felt pretty busy, esp during the first 6 months. Your not going to have a life anyway, so maybe just knock all out if you have a decent track record in school.
 
Here's something to consider.... What's your educational background and experience?

If higher education is something new for you, I'd highly recommend a more drawn out course. If you already have study, research, and critical thinking skills, you might do just fine with an accelerated course.
 
Wes said:
Here's something to consider.... What's your educational background and experience?

If higher education is something new for you, I'd highly recommend a more drawn out course. If you already have study, research, and critical thinking skills, you might do just fine with an accelerated course.
Click to expand...

This x 100000
 
I just finished paramedic and took a "standard" course that was 10 months long. It was about 60-70 hours a week, including homework/study, with about 2 weeks off at Christmas, but I don't remember having any other holiday's off. The last month, study went up to about 80-90 hours a week. You had to get an 80% minimum on everything. The teachers were excellent, but we lost a LOT of people (about 70% of the class) along the way. 3 other local schools also lost the same rate or more, but students only had to get a 67% or 70% on everything. Getting an 80% on every FISDAP the first time through was hard. But, I studied my butt off and did it.

I say all of this to say, the normal school route is excruciatingly hard. Contrary to Internet wisdom, schools around here with higher pass rates don't seem to have better teachers (all that I'm familiar with have been excellent), but merely easier standards. If I had prior experience as an 18D or a nurse or something, I would take an accelerated course hands down. It would just be an easy refresher. If you can read or hear something once and remember it forever, I would take an accelerated course. If you have no problem with 70-100 hours a week for 6 months, I would take an accelerated course.

If not, remember that a standard course is hard enough. Some that were 10-12 months and 640 hours are now 10-12 months and 1,500-2,000 hours. I saw my girlfriend one night every other week and didn't sleep for a year and I took a standard course.
 
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