Torn between two acceptances: RT and Paramedic School

[RTvsMedic]

Hi all,

I've been working as an EMT-b at a high-volume als & bls shop in a large municipal area in California for about two years now. Love it.

Applied and was accepted to a top paramedic program which would start this fall. At the same time, I applied to two Respiratory Therapy programs, and just today got an acceptance letter to one of them (wait listed at the other).

So now, I'm in a very lucky scenario... but also VERY VERY torn. :wacko: :blink: :wacko:

I feel like my heart is in EMS, I love it, I instruct EMT on the side, I love my students, love the patients, love the call variety and the exposure to so many things. Look forward to each and every shift I work. But the career seems to almost dead-end and I don't know many working paramedics in their 40s and above. A few, but not many... the ones I work with go into management, or teaching, or administration, or PA school. Not to mention the job market here for medics is ROUGH. We have medics working as EMTs at my shop for years before they can actually be a medic for us. It's frustrating for them, and some get burned out and go onto other things (sheriffs departments, PD, ER tech, jail guard, etc) before ever actually working as a medic.

RT salaries around here are high... very high. Comparable with nursing salaries- 80k to start not to mention the night/weekend differential. And the job market appears to be better. Not EASY to get a job, but easier than paramedic. Job-wise, I don't know as much about RT other than my research and due dillagence I performed before applying these programs. The people I talked to described their RT jobs as "interesting," "easy," "boring," and "in demand." One guy I interviewed who is an RT made it almost sound like EMS- they sit in a room in the hospital all day playing Call of Duty, and then they get paged to a call and go help out with a code, or give a breathing treatment, etc... and then go back to the room. So kinda like being on a rig hanging out between calls.

I think eventually, I'd like to get both RT and Paramedic and do CCTs and flight transports. Also down the road I would like to pursue PA, but for now, I have to pick either one or the other of these programs to start! One other factor to consider is the RT program is run at the same school has a PA program, so that could potentially help my acceptance down the road to PA if I do the RT program there and get good LORs, connections, etc.

Finally, I have a relatively supportive sig other who's on board for whichever I chose, but would probably enjoy me making more money than not all things considered.

With that in mind, any thoughts, suggestions, flames, advice for my situation? I appreciate all input.

Thank you in advance.

 

[Anjel]

I personally would go to medic school. And that is what I am doing at the moment.

I love everything about EMS and have no desire to switch fields. That being said. I am 22 and just got married. I am by no means well off. I live pay check to pay check.

I took a six dollars pay cut when I switched jobs.

BUT... I love going to work. I love helping people. And the variety.

I would cry everyday before going to work at my other job. My boss was abusive, patients were abusive, I was under so much stress I couldn't handle it.

So now. I am an EMT. And I am happy.

SO moral of the story. Do what makes you happy. Money doesn't buy happiness. You can have great opportunities as a medic. You might not make quite as much as an RT.. But you will be happy.

And I think that is worth it.

 

[NomadicMedic]

It sounds like you already have your mind made up. However, before you commit, I would go and shadow a couple of RT's. I have several friends who worked or are currently working in respiratory and they are very burnt out.

 

[RTvsMedic]

I have several friends who worked or are currently working in respiratory and they are very burnt out.

As opposed to my friends who are burnt out medics?

but that is an interesting take on it. Good point.

I don't think I have my mind made up at all yet. I wouldn't say I am leaning either way... in fact, I feel like I start to decide on ONE and then lean back towards the other. It's very confusing! :wacko:

I have about a week to decide, though.

 

[NomadicMedic]

Well that's good. It gives you a little time to think. As far as burnout goes, you'll get it anywhere… No matter the profession. It all depends on how you handle stress, right?

 

[NomadicMedic]

And it's funny, I was accepted into an RT program at the same time I was accepted into the paramedic program. I just chose paramedic, because that's where my heart was. And, I don't like mucus all that much.

 

[Jambi]

Ah, c'mon, I thought everyone loved lung butter.

 

[Shishkabob]

If career dead-ends is a fear of yours, well.. RT is a lot more 'dead-end' than Paramedic.

Paramedic- EMS, fire, hospital (facility), CCT, teaching.
RT- Hospital (facility), CCT, teaching.



But no-one says you can't do both...and honestly, it'd be the smarter move to get your RT so that you can work the minimal amount of hours they're required to be F/T (like nurses) and still make decent money, with time left to go back for your paramedic.

 

[NomadicMedic]

And worth knowing what you're getting into… For example, one hospital here has the RT's handle all of the respiratory issues. That includes the rapid response team and ER intubation and managing the respiratory issues with critical patients...

Another hospital simply has RT's running around doing breathing treatments all day.

 

[Jon]

Alright folks. While the CL team cannot discuss individual punishments, this thread was created by a long-time member that is too ashamed to ask the question "normally". This isn't the first, and won't be the last time we catch this. Trust me - we know when these things happen.

From the Community Rules:

Each member is allowed one login account. Registering with multiple accounts is not allowed.

If you, like this poster, truly want to ask an "anonymous" question, I suggest that you ask another user to post the question for you. Or a member of the CL team.

Oh, and this thread gets locked, too. Let it be a warning to others. :nosoupfortroll: