Thinking of enrolling in EMT/Paramedic school. Any experiences?

[oatmeal69]

So, anyone out there looking for a job knows how much the job market SUCKS right now. I have CPR, BLS, and Oxygen first aid training, and am an experienced rescue swimmer. I can't stand the "M-F 8-5" style work, and smarmy bosses with ever increasing productivity goals make me go postal. I like the idea of the 24 hour shift more than rotating 12's that I've worked before and HATED.

So, any EMT's, Paramedics, Fire Dept., etc. out there? Where do you work? What are the hours like? How's the pay? Is it something I should consider?

[frank13]

hard to get in but if u do Paramedic works crazy hours but makes tons of money i mean TONS but just a reg emt is not a good job

[oatmeal69]

Was thinking that an EMT cert takes three months, after which I could work as an ambulance jockey? While I'm doing that I could continue school toward Paramedic. What do you mean crazy hours - LOTS of hours, or all kinds of weird hours?

[frank13]

Was thinking that an EMT cert takes three months, after which I could work as an ambulance jockey? While I'm doing that I could continue school toward Paramedic. What do you mean crazy hours - LOTS of hours, or all kinds of weird hours?

that would be a idea but both lots of hours for one they make good money from the start but why they really make good money is because u pretty much can work as much overtime as u want its not crazy for an Paramedic to make over 100 grand year

[yourmom]

Get your EMT, work as a ER Tech. That's fun, plus you make a lot of connections. In Cally you have to work as a EMT for a year before stating Paramedic School. Job market sucks here right now, so volunteer at a local hospital doing anything, then, after EMT school it'll be easier to get on there.

[oatmeal69]

Get your EMT, work as a ER Tech.

You can do that with just an EMT?

In Cally you have to work as a EMT for a year before stating Paramedic School.

Hope that's not the case in CO. I will talk to a counselor at a community college.

Job market sucks here right now,

That's why I left, but it's not much better in CO.

so volunteer at a local hospital doing anything, then, after EMT school it'll be easier to get on there.

Do you mean before becoming an EMT?

[lovbyts]

My attorney changed carriers about 15 years ago and became an ENT and still loves it. He said the career change was largely contributed to my divorce case. lol

[tigerspawn]

Average paramedic in US makes 38,0000. Average paramedic in Boulder CO makes 39,000. Frank stated they make good money. Most EMS positions have potential for doubling your hrs with overtime. In our ER we have alot of EMTs & paramedics working as ER techs.

[Bonaparte]

The pay is shit in the US for both unless you work for a fire department (and fire department openings are hard to come by).
NOBODY makes 6 figures in EMS outside of maybe some major city with an insane cost of living.

[oatmeal69]

Well, what precisely defines "shit" as far as wages? $38K base pay is a HELL of a lot more than I make now! And, if I don't hate, or even like the job, that suddenly becomes a king's ransom to me.

[oatmeal69]

Also, what is my likelihood of getting a paying job upon my completion of EMT Basic?

[tigerspawn]

Well, what precisely defines "shit" as far as wages? $38K base pay is a HELL of a lot more than I make now! And, if I don't hate, or even like the job, that suddenly becomes a king's ransom to me.

When you compare 40 grand to 100 grand it does seem like shit. However, making 30 grand or more is a decent yearly salary. I know several people that work EMS who make 50 grand or more a year but they work a lot of over time. Also like I stated earlier you could work in ER as tech. Most ERs are short staffed and the techs that work that department are always getting called for overtime. Scheduling at every hospital around here is always offering double or more per hour to get people to cover extra shifts.

[frank13]

the city i live near in pa there the paramedic make good money good friend is a paramedic i think his starting pay was in the 45,000 rang and in his first couple years was pulling in around 80 grand a year he gets as much overtime as he wants

[DSM4Life]

The top worst jobs of the United States was the topic on the radio yesterday and a paramedic was one of them.

[Fllifter]

The top worst jobs of the United States was the topic on the radio yesterday and a paramedic was one of them.

Yes I agree that's if you work as a medic only. say for a private ambulance service, but as stated above if you get on with the fire dept it suddenly turns into one of the best jobs you can get. To the op I say do it there's alot of opportunity out there to make good money you just have to look around.

[AXx]

I've been doing it for 13 years now. Both an ambulance service and full time fire. Even in our backwoods redneck town and the surrounding areas you can easily makes 50-60k that's with overtime of course.

Then again if you have a shift like myself 24 on 48 off you can make even more money on your off days with a side job. Good luck if u have any questions feel free to ask me.

[slfmade]

My cousin is a Paramedic. He makes 8.00/hr. Why not become LPN. I think it's about 10 months of school and in Denver I'm sure you'll make at least 20/hr. If you did the LPN thing you could always move up to RN, NP, etc with additional schooling.

[tigerspawn]

My cousin is a Paramedic. He makes 8.00/hr. Why not become LPN. I think it's about 10 months of school and in Denver I'm sure you'll make at least 20/hr.

LPNs around here make nowhere near $20/hr. Local LPNs at hospitals start at $8/hr. and LPNs at nursing home start 12-16/hr. Most they can make without going PRN or agency is $15/hr. hospital and $19/hr. nursing homes. Most places around here have salary caps that limit further increase in pay. LPN national average is 42 grand. Little rock Arkansas average paramedic makes 35 grand, LPN average 37 grand. Paramedic average pay is $18.23/hr. LPN average pay is &19.27/hr. I calculated average hourly pay based on forty hour work week. Denver Co average paramedic salary is 39 grand, LPN averages 42 grand. Paramedic average is $20.31/hr. LPN average is $21.88/hr. I calculated average hourly pay based on forty hour work week.

If you did the LPN thing you could always move up to RN, NP, etc. with additional schooling.

You could do this if the LPN training was a program that transferred to RN program. Not all programs transfer. Also, not all RN programs accept LPN accreditations. Some RN schools require you to start at the beginning of their program even if you already have LPN license and have been working as LPN for years.

[thegodfather]

LPNs around here make nowhere near $20/hr. Local LPNs at hospitals start at $8/hr. and LPNs at nursing home start 12-16/hr. Most they can make without going PRN or agency is $15/hr. hospital and $19/hr. nursing homes. Most places around here have salary caps that limit further increase in pay. LPN national average is 42 grand. Little rock Arkansas average paramedic makes 35 grand, LPN average 37 grand. Paramedic average pay is $18.23/hr. LPN average pay is &19.27/hr. I calculated average hourly pay based on forty hour work week. Denver Co average paramedic salary is 39 grand, LPN averages 42 grand. Paramedic average is $20.31/hr. LPN average is $21.88/hr. I calculated average hourly pay based on forty hour work week.


You could do this if the LPN training was a program that transferred to RN program. Not all programs transfer. Also, not all RN programs accept LPN accreditations. Some RN schools require you to start at the beginning of their program even if you already have LPN license and have been working as LPN for years.

Our LPNs make $27.88/hour here. Our RNs make a range from $31.25/hr to $40.00/hr, depending on whether that RN is a supervisor of staff.

[Bonaparte]

Well, what precisely defines "shit" as far as wages? $38K base pay is a HELL of a lot more than I make now! And, if I don't hate, or even like the job, that suddenly becomes a king's ransom to me.

Most ambulance services pay EMTs around $10/hr, and medics 13-15. And they're stingy about OT. So we make about as much as shift leaders and assistant managers at a fast food joint. You'll be lucky to make 20k yearly for the next couple years if you take this route.

[Lunk1]

I live in a small, poor, Midwest community and the Paramedic/EMT's on our ambulance service are making 50-75K

[oatmeal69]

The top worst jobs of the United States was the topic on the radio yesterday and a paramedic was one of them.

Did they give reasons?

I've been doing it for 13 years now. Both an ambulance service and full time fire. Even in our backwoods redneck town and the surrounding areas you can easily makes 50-60k that's with overtime of course. Then again if you have a shift like myself 24 on 48 off you can make even more money on your off days with a side job. Good luck if u have any questions feel free to ask me.

I did 12 hour rotating shifts for a while and they SUCK! You never get any sleep. I think I'd be fine with a 24 hour shift, because I'm sure you're able to nap as available...

My cousin is a Paramedic. He makes 8.00/hr. Why not become LPN. I think it's about 10 months of school and in Denver I'm sure you'll make at least 20/hr. If you did the LPN thing you could always move up to RN, NP, etc with additional schooling.

Well, I think my goal should be to get EMT-basic first, start working and continue schooling through Paramedic, etc.

[tigerspawn]

I think I'd be fine with a 24 hour shift, because I'm sure you're able to nap as available

Typically EMS personnel around here sleep between calls.

[tigerspawn]

Our LPNs make $27.88/hour here. Our RNs make a range from $31.25/hr to $40.00/hr, depending on whether that RN is a supervisor of staff.

Mind if I ask what part of the country your from? I am an RN and for that kind of money I would move. Is that income on top of benys or benys out of income?

[Lunk1]

Mind if I ask what part of the country your from? I am an RN and for that kind of money I would move. Is that income on top of benys or benys out of income?

He's in Florida

[oatmeal69]

Typically EMS personnel around here sleep between calls.

That's why I think I could do it. I've got a seriously strong circadian rhythm. when I'd work 12 hour rotating shifts, I couldn't stay awake at night (almost getting fired for it) and then I couldn't sleep during the day. It was HELL!! SO unhealthy!

[Bigshotvictoria]

It is the best job in the world, bar none. The system where i am is a little different in regards to qualifications. We have Emergency Medical Responder (EMR), which is equivalent to EMT, as well as 2 levels of paramedic PCP-IV (BLS) and ACP (ALS). I'm currently a Primary Care Paramedic (PCP-IV), and make roughly $25/hr, and will max out around $31. There is also Advanced Care Paramedic (ACP) which is advanced life support, they max out around $40/hr. It's an incredibly high stress job, every call is different. It's also the funnest, most amazing job in the world. I've delivered babies, I've seen horrendous accidents, told families their loved ones are dead. I once had an 8 month old baby girl die in my arms. It's not for the weak hearted, but the rewards far outweigh everything else. OP, shoot me a PM and I'll be more than happy to tell you anything I can.

[oatmeal69]

IT's funny, I don't think the kind of stress you speak of would bother me much. I look at it more as excitement.
The stress I absolutely cannot stand is the kind most people seem to accept with ease. That is, working in an office or other situation with some ass hat boss breathing down your neck reflecting his own insecurities about penis size.
[Begin office-space style monotone]
"multiple deadlines, shifting priorities and responsibilities, concurrent project lists, self-starter, motivated to succeed, team-player, rock-star, sales meeting, blah blah blah..."
[End office-space style monotone]

[Bigshotvictoria]

IT's funny, I don't think the kind of stress you speak of would bother me much. I look at it more as excitement.
The stress I absolutely cannot stand is the kind most people seem to accept with ease. That is, working in an office or other situation with some ass hat boss breathing down your neck reflecting his own insecurities about penis size.
[Begin office-space style monotone]
"multiple deadlines, shifting priorities and responsibilities, concurrent project lists, self-starter, motivated to succeed, team-player, rock-star, sales meeting, blah blah blah..."
[End office-space style monotone]

You are absolutely right about the stress, It's the fun kind!!!!! When I'm at work, it doesn't feel like work. I never watch the clock. I never wish away time. i truly love doing this job, because it's really not a job but a passion. Don't worry about shift work, I don't sleep on nights myself as it messes with me if I do. And it's not like it is on TV. 90% of all calls are easy, simple, routine things. 8% are serious, 2% life or death. I can't explain how amazing it is to do this job, and I strongly encourage you to explore further!!!!

[oatmeal69]

Well, if it's 24-hour shift where you can sleep when it's dead, no problem. However, I will NEVER AGAIN do any kind of 12-hour rotating shift where you aren't allowed to sleep. It caused panic attacks, hallucinations and F*cked me up BAD for weeks, even after I stopped doing it.

[Bigshotvictoria]

Well, if it's 24-hour shift where you can sleep when it's dead, no problem. However, I will NEVER AGAIN do any kind of 12-hour rotating shift where you aren't allowed to sleep. It caused panic attacks, hallucinations and F*cked me up BAD for weeks, even after I stopped doing it.

With my service you absolutely are allowed to sleep, but you have a 90 second shoot time.

[oatmeal69]

is it 12 hour rotating, or 24 hour?

[Bigshotvictoria]

is it 12 hour rotating, or 24 hour?

depends on your shift designation. Alpha car is 24hr, 12 hr shift. Bravo/Charlie is a day/night shift pattern with over lapping times, 11 hr shift, Echo is day only, 10 hours. These are all full time shifts, 2days/2nights/4off (except Echo, which is days only). Then at quieter rural stations you can do several days straight on fox or kilo, but you often have plenty of time to eat and sleep.

[oatmeal69]

Hope they're flexible then. I won't ever work rotating shifts again.

[Bigshotvictoria]

Hope they're flexible then. I won't ever work rotating shifts again.

Contact your local ambulance service, express your interest, and ask for a ride along. Thats the best first step.