Career Choices?

[Anomaly]

Hi there,

Just to give you some background on me.. I'm currently 16 years old, and in Vancouver, Canada. This, of course, is my gr. 11 year, and it's just about time for me to decide what I'd like to do.

Ever since I can remember, I've looked up to paramedics, and it's something I always found I wanted to do.

Anyways, my question is this; I have the marks to do pretty much what I want. I've narrowed down my paths to two options; Paramedic or Trauma Doctor. Now, obviously these things are very far apart. Trauma Doctor takes *years* of university training, whereas paramedics do not. My question to you is : looking back, given the opportunity (money is not an issue), would you have gone ahead and done the University degree, or do you feel that the life of a paramedic is rewarding enough, without the supplemental income of working at a hospital, as a doctor.

Thanks in advance,

Grant Douglas

[BURNSEMS]

Hello, in a Word Absolutly, doctors are great and have a wealth of Knowledge, but I may be putting my foot in my mouth here,, How many Doctors do you see in the Field, How many doctors can utilize the Jaws in tight Places to make Extrication, How many can crawl into a Car Upside Down full of water and perform,,, very few.. no there is nothing Like being on a team that can perform under less than great conditions and save a Life,,sure the Er has alot of technology we dont, but if we Did not start I.Vs, Intubate, Push Drugs,Extricate, Control Bleeding, and Secure C-Spine, Stop V-FIB, not as many patient would survive to get to the ER, and its not all Full tilt Boogie, there is alot of Down Time and Transfers, so take the good with the Bad and I will Stay a Paramedic it dont pay 100.000.00 a year but at times it does in Satisfaction... Your Choice and Good Luck