Yep, I just started my Paramedic class on Monday. This will be a looong year. I've been a 240 FF/ EMT-B for 2.5 years now and figured I better get my medic over with while i'm young. finishing off my degree while im at it too. I think i'm heading in the right direction, national registry just scares the outta me. Only way to make a career in this field any more these days is to become a medic. If I pay attention to the books as much as I do this site then I should be home free. Just wanted to pass on the news, all the medics out there i'm sure you remember how it felt in the beginning.

Take care all
Eric

 

Out, Freaking, standing bud!!!

I was on the same path until I found out that it does not pay!

Congratulations and thank you for taking the initiative!!

Rick

 

Don't even worry about it. If this is a subject that interests you and you enjoy it, all you have to remember for the N'tl registry test is the little stuff. The important stuff will come naturally. Good luck!

chaikwa.

 

My wife is taking an EMT course currently before she gets out of the Navy. I will ask her some more about it and post what she says about it.

 

Thanks everyone for the encouragement. When I took my EMT test it was pretty nerve racking, but there is a ton more stuff to learn in medic school. A ton of responsibility for medics too. I'll keep ya updated as the year goes on.

 

If I were a bit younger I think I'd like being an EMT. Just at the "old dog-new tricks" stage now.

Good Luck.

Ed

 

ive been a medic for 2 years now. dont let class scare ya, its not too difficult as long as your interested. national registry isnt bad either, look into a testing facility that offers a day long prep course for the skills and you will be fine. its a fun job, i worked in the CA bay area for 2 years before i moved onto law enforcement. good luck and feel free to PM or e-mail me if you have any questions.

 

Its great to take a big step forward in your interests and yor career, congratulations!! There are so many things that i wished i had tried before i got into management, now im stuck, too many bills to go back. Do it while you can before responsibilities make it tough

 

dont make the mistake i did tho. most new medics in my area all do it...work 100+ hours a week for a year plus, buy toys, then have no time to play with them. enjoy tho, and congrats

 

NREMT-P isnt too bad...I did it in 8 months, along with this other stuff....Lot of long days....

NREMT-P. ACLS, BTLS, PALS, PEPP, BCLS-I, Chem/Bio, mass decon, RET.....

 

With all the class and rotations you have to do for the registry you have plenty of time to study. Good Luck

 

ya, take advantage of your hospital and intership time to study.

 

Thanks again everyone. I've been studying pretty good so far, It's all pretty interesting even though we are still kinda in the beginning stuff (cells, pathophysiology, etc) If I cvan do what I did in my EMT-B class I will be happy. I took my 240 fire class and my EMT-B class the exact same term, and both national registry tests were one week apart. I told myself if i pass both tests the first time around, im gonna by myself a truck i've always wanted, well thats how I got my 03 ctd new back in 03.

What I would like to hear if some of you guys don't mind, how's life outside the job (financially and all) being a fire/medic? Work any other jobs on your days off? I know one can't make a fortune being a fire/medic but I would like to live a pretty good life financially.

Thanks again everyone for the encouragement, you guys and gals rock!
Eric

 

Got more info from my wife, she is in a course currently that will get her EMT-B certified and in the national registry (as long as she passes the course and the test). She is thinking about working as an EMT when shes out of the Navy in a few months.

 

I work for the highest paid fire dept within a hundred miles or so....I'm lucky....Previous FD I worked at paid very poorly in comparison.....

My biggest problem was during medic class, doing clinicals....Too many young nurses around created problems at home

And yeah, for a while I worked construction on my days off...Now I just enjoy my semi-retirement