Worth going for more advanced training?

D

d0nk3yk0n9

Forum Crew Member
Messages
51
Reaction score
0
Points
0
I'm trying to decide whether or not to pursue more advanced training after finishing EMT-B and I'd like some advice.

First of all, I'm currently in an EMT-B class and will be taking the NY state tests in March.

Secondly, in NY, according to my instructor, the state will pay for any level of training if I'm affiliated with an agency, even if I cannot practice at that level for that agency (i.e, I'm with a BLS-only agency, but the state will still pay for EMT-I, EMT-CC, and Paramedic). I want to eventually take more advanced training anyway, since I want to spend at least a few years after college working in EMS.

Finally, the community college where I'm taking EMT-B offers an EMT-I/CC course that tests out for intermediate after one semester and then (optionally) continues on to critical care after another semester. This is about 20 minutes away, while the nearest paramedic courses are about an hour away and will take a minimum of two semesters. I'm a more or less full time student, so this makes a big difference to me in terms of actually being able to take the course while keeping up with the rest of my course load.

What do you guys think I should take? I'm personally thinking that the EMT-I/CC course makes the most sense, but I want to here other people's take on this.
 
d0nk3yk0n9 said:
I'm trying to decide whether or not to pursue more advanced training after finishing EMT-B and I'd like some advice.

First of all, I'm currently in an EMT-B class and will be taking the NY state tests in March.

Secondly, in NY, according to my instructor, the state will pay for any level of training if I'm affiliated with an agency, even if I cannot practice at that level for that agency (i.e, I'm with a BLS-only agency, but the state will still pay for EMT-I, EMT-CC, and Paramedic). I want to eventually take more advanced training anyway, since I want to spend at least a few years after college working in EMS.

Finally, the community college where I'm taking EMT-B offers an EMT-I/CC course that tests out for intermediate after one semester and then (optionally) continues on to critical care after another semester. This is about 20 minutes away, while the nearest paramedic courses are about an hour away and will take a minimum of two semesters. I'm a more or less full time student, so this makes a big difference to me in terms of actually being able to take the course while keeping up with the rest of my course load.

What do you guys think I should take? I'm personally thinking that the EMT-I/CC course makes the most sense, but I want to here other people's take on this.
Click to expand...

Go to paramedic school and take some other science classes while you are there.

EMT-B, and Paramedic are not all inclusive educations
 
Free education? How can you say no?
 
Veneficus said:
Go to paramedic school and take some other science classes while you are there.

EMT-B, and Paramedic are not all inclusive educations
Click to expand...

I suppose I should be more specific: I'm, in addition to my interest in EMS, a full-time student at a major university studying mechanical engineering, as well as the random other classes (some biology, some extra chemistry, some psychology) that I thought were interesting or useful. That's why I'm worried that paramedic might be too much to take on top of all of my regular courses.

I definitely want to go to paramedic school eventually, but I'm thinking I should probably wait until after I graduate for that.
 
d0nk3yk0n9 said:
I suppose I should be more specific: I'm, in addition to my interest in EMS, a full-time student at a major university studying mechanical engineering
Click to expand...

Finally, somebody who will understand medication calculations without needing 200 hours of tutoring in conversion factors!

:)
 
Veneficus said:
Finally, somebody who will understand medication calculations without needing 200 hours of tutoring in conversion factors!

:)
Click to expand...

I prefer to think of myself as someone who understands how the crumple zones in cars are designed and doesn't freak out at seeing a car that looks destroyed... because it's supposed to be. :)
 
d0nk3yk0n9 said:
I prefer to think of myself as someone who understands how the crumple zones in cars are designed and doesn't freak out at seeing a car that looks destroyed... because it's supposed to be. :)
Click to expand...

A couple of months in fire and EMS will give you that, trust me the ability to do med math is far more valuable and more rare a gift.
 
Veneficus said:
A couple of months in fire and EMS will give you that, trust me the ability to do med math is far more valuable and more rare a gift.
Click to expand...

Medication math is ridiculously simple...I can haz cookie? :)
 
NVRob said:
Medication math is ridiculously simple...I can haz cookie? :)
Click to expand...

Yep...the solution is always "Titrate to effect":rofl:
 
ffemt8978 said:
Yep...the solution is always "Titrate to effect":rofl:
Click to expand...

:unsure: You mean i've been doing it wrong all this time?


OP, If you have the opportunity to get it for free I say go for it.

Personally I don't see why NY would pay for you to go to EMT school, the market is over-saturated as it is...
 
NVRob said:
:unsure: You mean i've been doing it wrong all this time?


OP, If you have the opportunity to get it for free I say go for it.

Personally I don't see why NY would pay for you to go to EMT school, the market is over-saturated as it is...
Click to expand...

Yes you can have a cookie for doing the med math :)

Some states have "job training" programs for unemployed adults or for adults to change careers where the state pays the training facility.

Those programs really love to send people to EMS classes, an entry level vocational position in 120 hours (now upgraded to 150) of 8th grade reading before they can apply for a job! Score!

An advanced " healthcare career" vocational position in another ~1000 hours of 10th grade reading? (downgraded to 8th grade in the latest texts) Even better.

You couldn't even apply for a barber or cosmetology license with that and now you can work in the booming healthcare industry providing a valuable service to society.

That's how Americans get back to work. Vocational, we don't need that college BS, minimum wage labor. Can't you just taste the American dream?

There will always be jobs in medicine right? :)
 
d0nk3yk0n9 said:
I'm trying to decide whether or not to pursue more advanced training after finishing EMT-B and I'd like some advice.

First of all, I'm currently in an EMT-B class and will be taking the NY state tests in March.

Secondly, in NY, according to my instructor, the state will pay for any level of training if I'm affiliated with an agency, even if I cannot practice at that level for that agency (i.e, I'm with a BLS-only agency, but the state will still pay for EMT-I, EMT-CC, and Paramedic). I want to eventually take more advanced training anyway, since I want to spend at least a few years after college working in EMS.

Finally, the community college where I'm taking EMT-B offers an EMT-I/CC course that tests out for intermediate after one semester and then (optionally) continues on to critical care after another semester. This is about 20 minutes away, while the nearest paramedic courses are about an hour away and will take a minimum of two semesters. I'm a more or less full time student, so this makes a big difference to me in terms of actually being able to take the course while keeping up with the rest of my course load.

What do you guys think I should take? I'm personally thinking that the EMT-I/CC course makes the most sense, but I want to here other people's take on this.
Click to expand...

Where in New York are you? EMT-I and EMT-CC are completely different... EMT-I is recognized upstate I believe, while on Long Island, CC is recognized and in NYC only Paramedic is recognized. (Paramedic still trumps all the rest like anywhere else)

Send me a private message I would be happy to talk with you about anything you need.
 
Make 100% sure that you take the NREMT exam while the knowledge is fresh in your mind. If you ever move out of NY and want to continue being an EMT you'll very likely have to be NREMT certified.
 
bstone said:
Make 100% sure that you take the NREMT exam while the knowledge is fresh in your mind. If you ever move out of NY and want to continue being an EMT you'll very likely have to be NREMT certified.
Click to expand...

Already planning on it, but thanks for the advice! I'm from Ohio but go to school in NY, and Ohio only accepts NREMT (and like one specific state, but I can't remember which, and it isn't NY) for reciprocity.
 
Veneficus said:
Go to paramedic school and take some other science classes while you are there.

EMT-B, and Paramedic are not all inclusive educations
Click to expand...

medic417 said:
Free education? How can you say no?
Click to expand...

Go for medic. It's the first step to having the potential to have a clue what is wrong with you patient... And go even more so if it's free.

d0nk3yk0n9 said:
I suppose I should be more specific: I'm, in addition to my interest in EMS, a full-time student at a major university studying mechanical engineering, as well as the random other classes (some biology, some extra chemistry, some psychology) that I thought were interesting or useful. That's why I'm worried that paramedic might be too much to take on top of all of my regular courses.

I definitely want to go to paramedic school eventually, but I'm thinking I should probably wait until after I graduate for that.
Click to expand...

First question - what do you want to do with your life?
Do you want to be a Mech-E? A Paramedic? Or a Mech-E that works shifts as a medic in addition to your long work weeks?

If you truly want to accomplish this now, perhaps you can go part time / reduce your regular class load. That said, you'll take longer to get out of school.
 
Jon said:
Go for medic. It's the first step to having the potential to have a clue what is wrong with you patient... And go even more so if it's free.



First question - what do you want to do with your life?
Do you want to be a Mech-E? A Paramedic? Or a Mech-E that works shifts as a medic in addition to your long work weeks?

If you truly want to accomplish this now, perhaps you can go part time / reduce your regular class load. That said, you'll take longer to get out of school.
Click to expand...

I want to be a paramedic eventually, but I also want to finish my education as Mech-E first. Basically, EMS is what I really want to do, but, due to a variety of factors, anything that negatively impacts my education in engineering is a no-go.

What I think I'm going to do is take the I class in the fall and possibly the CC class next spring and then do paramedic after I finish my degree. Now, off to convince my parents that this isn't a terrible idea...

(I could technically just do this on my own, of course, but I feel that it's unfair not to include them in the decision since they're paying for my college. They are one of the "variety of factors" that mean I can't do anything that would prevent me from graduating on time.)
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top