paramedic school

[bka447]

I went to the orientation for paramedic school the other day. Class starts in a couple of days. I definenately have a new found respect for you guys after the orientation. Seems like I'm putting my life completely on hold for the next 18 months. Any words of wisdom for a new paramedic student?

[OCFirePM]

study hard

[DaSharkie]

Your life is on hold. Deal with it as a consequence of the choice that you have made. And there is no such thing as a good time to do Paramedic School.

Learn as much as you can, do as much as you can, and pay freaking attention. Remember, Paramedic school prepares you for an exam, the real world is on the streets.

What you are responsible for can kill people. Know what you are dealing with.

Oh yeah:

Air goes in and out. Blood goes round and round. Any deviation from this is a bad thing.

[jedch47]

You will have no life while you are in school. Study hard, and don't wait until the end of class to do your clinicals. The last thing that you want to do is to be trying to study for regisrty and do your clinicals at the same time.

[AZCEP43]

Yes, you are putting your life on hold. No, you won't make much money when you are done. Yes, you will lose money going to school. No, nobody really cares that it is stressful for you. Yes, you will be exposed to the "why" things are done, instead of just the "how". No, your instructors/preceptors will not be impressed by what you think you know. Yes, it can be a good time. No, you will not realize it in the middle of the class.

I would suggest doing while you are young and single, if possible. If this has already passed you by, make sure that those in your life understand that for the duration of the class, you will not be able to dedicate much time to them.

Good luck to you.

[MontvilleFire39]

Well, I have only been out of school for a few months, so my advice is pretty fresh. Here goes:

1. While it may sound rediculous, and you might think you won't need to know this, THE NATIONAL REGISTRY PROBABLY THINKS DIFFERENT.


2. Pace yourself as far as reading, studying, and clinicals.

3. While in clinicals, make beds, clean up messes, put people on bedpans......Those are the reasons I got my first RSI, critical med pushes, etc....

[TurkII]

3. While in clinicals, make beds, clean up messes, put people on bedpans......Those are the reasons I got my first RSI, critical med pushes, etc....


Probably the best piece of advise yet. Some of the students in my class would just sit in the office - they wouldn't even ride out on calls unless it sounded good. ("Oh, that's probably just some drunk again!") Guess which students DIDN'T pass the registry???

Also - If you are given the chance to take the NR Exam for EMT-I, then DO IT! If you are registered as an intermediate you can do a bridge test to NR Paramedic. Same written test, but 4 less practical stations!

[buckeyedoc]

It's been said that there will be at least one divorce, marriage and baby born while you're in medic class.

Our class had 2 divorces (me included), 1 wedding and 1 baby born. Study hard. Remember, keep in the back of your mind that there are 2 ways in EMS....1) the book way and 2) the field way. Very rarely do those 2 collide in real life. Best of luck in your endeavor and keeps up informed as to how it's going.

Doc

[MontvilleFire39]

Also seriously make sure this is what you want to do. Being a paramedic is more than IV's and drugs. To me it is about wanting to help people while having the benefit of additional tools to work with. It means wiping someones ***, because nobody wants to lay in s**t. It means putting yourself on the line to "educate" the ignorant chain smoking parent who is the root of their child's severe asthma. It means treating the guy who just kicked his wifes face in, and then fell down the stairs because it is not our place to judge. DO NOT BECOME A PARAMEDIC ONLY TO MAKE YOURSELF A MORE ATTRACTIVE FIREFIGHTER CANDIDATE. This job will test you, so make sure you want to take the test.

Good Luck,

Ben Bindokas

*I suggest you purchase a good set of ears and a Tabers medical encyclopedia, they are investments for your future.

[trailboss2]

Never forget the basics by getting overwhelmed in the new, higher level of responsibility you will have. Good Luck!