Down the road in EMS...

mikie

mikie

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I've been accepted into the 4 year Bachelors degree at UMBC (University of Maryland-Baltimore County). I would be a transfer student entering the sophomore year.

I've had a personal interview there and EXTREMELY impressed. One of the instructors mentioned that there is over 1,600 clinical/practical hours. Practical/clinical sites include many large trauma centers, ICU, NICU, OR (anesthesia), even Maryland state trooper helicopter & SAR, so on/so forth.

However, I was wondering, what future does it give me? Obviously a paramedic but I want to know far down the road.

Lets say I burnout or just don't want to ride in an ambulance anymore, where can I go from there with this degree? A desk job?

Also, I'm current;y in a 4 year BSN (Bach. in Nursing) program and considering switching.

So my big question is what kind of future lies ahead if I opt to go with this great program with a degree in EMS & EMS Management.

Thanks!
 
Not to be rude, but a little late in asking these questions isn't it? One should already know the market, professional roles, etc. before entering the educational arena. I would advise discussing this with an academic advisor before entering or pursuing much further. You may save yourself much time and money.

Truthfully, it is a great idea to have a B.S. in EMS, but realistically it does not have any speciality or advantages at this time. If you are pursuing management, then I would direct you to obtain your Health Administration Degree with an MBA attachment. If you were pursuing a teaching degree I would advise an MA in education.

You describe you are in a BSN program, are you in the Junior year of nursing or just obtaining basics right now? There is a difference, since nursing does not really start until your Junior year.

As well, alike being a Paramedic do not expect much difference between ADN & BSN positions. Yes, one can advance and have doors open up, but realistically administration and professional level positions are usually held for graduate to doctorate level.

What most EMS personnel do not understand medical field usually requires the minimum of a Master's Degree for any true position.
R/r 911
 
mikie333 said:
Lets say I burnout or just don't want to ride in an ambulance anymore, where can I go from there with this degree? A desk job?

Also, I'm current;y in a 4 year BSN (Bach. in Nursing) program and considering switching.

So my big question is what kind of future lies ahead if I opt to go with this great program with a degree in EMS & EMS Management.

Thanks!
Click to expand...

If you burnout, your B.A. becomes like anyone else's. You can apply to any job that you need a general B.A. degree for. You could get a master's in something different.

Stay in the BSN. You can be a medic per diem.
 
firecoins said:
If you burnout, your B.A. becomes like anyone else's. You can apply to any job that you need a general B.A. degree for. You could get a master's in something different.

Stay in the BSN. You can be a medic per diem.
Click to expand...


Very true, I would almost make a wager that one would not stay in EMS though. Look at the forums and see how many BSN's there are... Why? Look at the opportunities and most rather enjoy other things in life after work..

R/r 911
 
pretty much with a BS, you can become an instructor and take some time off if your getting burnt out.
 
I have spoken with academic advisers.

What kind of future lies with a degree in EMS? I've also considered staying in the BSN program and going for my masters in EMS (I think it's just an emphasis on emergency management)

I really appreciate all of the replies thus far!
 
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mikie333 said:
I have spoken with academic advisers.

What kind of future lies with a degree in EMS? I've also considered staying in the BSN program and going for my masters in EMS (I think it's just an emphasis on emergency management)

I really appreciate all of the replies thus far!
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Again..one must ask why? I know I sound pessimistic, but I am a truly a realistic person. If you are going to pursue your BSN, in which you will become an RN, it is very doubtful that you will then continue onward in the field.. not, that you can't just the odds are against it. As well, why would one spend $50,000-$75,000 on a graduate degree to make a $25,000$35,000/ yr government job in EMS when you could pursue CRNA, NP, etc.. and start off at $125,000 a year + benefits of treating patients? .. Again, I admire one that would do so.. yet, I wonder what the real motive or reason would be? .. See my point?

R/r 911
 
What do you WANT to do? Do you want to end up managing an ambulance service?

If you really want to end up in management - You might be better suited with a RN and a MBA... Additionally, the RN gives you LOTS of flexibility in career track, whereas burned out EMT's become managers, instructors, or salesmen... if they stay near EMS at all.

Jon
 
I have looked at doing this route after a few years to get a degree under my belt. The options that I was able to find was mostly management, but talking with a near by medical school, they suggested that if I did get a bachelors of science in paramedic that this would constitute a pre medical degree because of the science and chemistry involved. If you want to stay in the medical field that could be an option open for you.
 
Emt 1978-84, bsn 1985...

Miki, nursing school will tempt you to bail out, especially when your EMS background just attracts fire from your clinical instructors. If you have your BSN you can use those credits to cross-train into other programs if you want, somewhat. If you still have the yen for EMS, nursing can be your "day" job and you can do other stuff like DMAT or vollie. There are even nursing positions where you will get the rush you seek, they will appear over time and usually are not real "solid".
Get the nursing degree if you can, then branch out later. It will give you the greater degree of professional and geographic flexibility. Someday you will be too old for "swinging from ropes" and there are thousands more nursing positions than "EMS" positions not requiring a stronig back/knees/etc.
 
I will give my two cents worth as a BSN. One will soon find out & recognize how unprofessional most are in EMS, when comparing to majority of the health care providers. It is not being pompous but rather the truth. Attempt to discuss statistical analysis and theories of care to the majority of EMT's and one receives a stare similar to that "deer in the headlight" look.

As well, please remember this: Critical care & Emergency Nursing is NOT generally taught in the nursing curriculum. They are considered a specialty and one is expected to obtain education and experience after they leave nursing school. So if one expects to be a great ER or ICU nurse immediately after nursing school, they are going to be disappointed, also many hospitals now require one year of medical surgical nursing prior to moving to a specialty area such as ER, ICU, CCU. I have also seen a new trend of one must have one year of full time nursing before being allowed to work part time or flex pool. This eliminates many cross trained Paramedics that want to remain in the field full time.

Nursing is a very proud profession. I do not associate nursing with EMS at all. They are two distinctive and separate professions. Similar to an electrician and plumber both have a similar mission but two distinct and different jobs. The methodology, topics, expectations, clinical objectives are not similar to most EMS programs. Included is the professors of nursing usually are not impressed or appreciate EMS or field experience. Remember, you are in their world attempting to obtain their profession, not the opposite. As one told a student not to long ago, as they were bragging about EMS... "if your profession was so good, why are you changing, as well as so many others?"... Ouch!.. but, she was right.

Alike here that many posts that they are continuing moving onward, to either EMS positions, Paramedic school, nursing school, etc. Unfortunately, the majority either fail to do so or fail to return to continue to posts. After being exposed to a more structured profession, realizing it does offer a career ladder, and yes financial gains with increased education and responsibilities, one usually looses interest in EMS. At the same time, realizes the majority of EMS "does not get it".. and as long as there is that attitude, they never will.

It is doubtful one will choose to return to EMS when one is exhausted from work in nursing, also if one is going to spend "extra" time, one might as well advance their own career. Not saying it can't be done (obviously) but very unusual.

Good luck in whatever choice you make,

R/r 911
 
Ridryder911 said:
Very true, I would almost make a wager that one would not stay in EMS though. Look at the forums and see how many BSN's there are... Why? Look at the opportunities and most rather enjoy other things in life after work..

R/r 911
Click to expand...

Generally BSNs don't stay in EMS. There are a decent number of BSNs I know who work per diem here because they love EMS. A small few work as flight nurses.

There are a couple of PAs I know who work per diem as medics and 1 MD. The MD is only doing it until his resdiency in pediatrics is over.
 
firecoins said:
Generally BSNs don't stay in EMS.
Click to expand...

I guess that's my problem. I want both. I know RNs that work as EMT-B &-Ps and they seem to manage just fine

And Rid, I completely understand your point [i liked the analogy to electricians & plumbers] separating EMS & RNs. Prehospital vs hospitalized care I guess
 
firecoins said:
There are a couple of PAs I know who work per diem as medics and 1 MD. The MD is only doing it until his resdiency in pediatrics is over.
Click to expand...

I don't know how they accomplish this since this two distinct license and one is greater than the other. In other words a physician is always a physician and the highest level is looked upon. I honor that they work in EMS, but I question the legal situation of a physician attempting to work as a medic. If he/ she is a licensed physician they will be held
accountable as such; albeit pediatrics or trauma surgeon. It may not be the same as a P.A. since they alike an EMT or Paramedic must work under the authority of a licensed physician, NP's in some states do not have to have medical control they as well can practice limited medicine.

R/r 911
 
Ridryder911 said:
I don't know how they accomplish this since this two distinct license and one is greater than the other. In other words a physician is always a physician and the highest level is looked upon. I honor that they work in EMS, but I question the legal situation of a physician attempting to work as a medic. If he/ she is a licensed physician they will be held
accountable as such; albeit pediatrics or trauma surgeon. It may not be the same as a P.A. since they alike an EMT or Paramedic must work under the authority of a licensed physician, NP's in some states do not have to have medical control they as well can practice limited medicine.

R/r 911
Click to expand...

If I understand you correctly, if a physician, for example, functioned as a paramedic, what's the problem as long as he follows protocol?

it would be kinda funny if the medical director was also a medic...he would never have to call med-control! *(kidding...)
 
I have a BSc in Paramedicine and it has helped me to get into EMS research. Although there may not be a vast number of extra opportunities for paramedics with degrees, this would be one.
 
Ridryder911 said:
In other words a physician is always a physician and the highest level is looked upon. I honor that they work in EMS, but I question the legal situation of a physician attempting to work as a medic. If he/ she is a licensed physician they will be held
accountable as such; albeit pediatrics or trauma surgeon. R/r 911
Click to expand...
I understand where your coming from and I don't fully understand it myself. Most calls don't require anything outside the scope of an EMT-B. I suppose the MD and others agree to work withing the paramedic parameters. I am guessing that if the MD breaks an occasional protocol on a serious call in a manner beneficial to the patient that the receiving MDs are fine with it. The receiving MDs and MD/medic know each other.
 
firecoins said:
I understand where your coming from and I don't fully understand it myself. Most calls don't require anything outside the scope of an EMT-B. I suppose the MD and others agree to work withing the paramedic parameters. I am guessing that if the MD breaks an occasional protocol on a serious call in a manner beneficial to the patient that the receiving MDs are fine with it. The receiving MDs and MD/medic know each other.
Click to expand...

MD's would not working under protocol. They practice medicine, therefore are probably not licensed as Paramedics since their license level supersedes any EMT level. As well, would hate to pay for their malpractice insurance for the EMS unit.


R/r 911
 
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