EMT as a springboard

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SunshineCamo

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Hi everyone

I had a question about using EMT as a springboard to get further into medicine. My goal is to become a Physicians Assistant. And while it would be nice to just work on becoming one, I don't have a medical background, and I've got a family I need to support. The GI Bill helps a little, but not enough.

So I'm about to get my EMT certification, and I'm at a crossroads. My instructors have told me I would be a great Paramedic, and that it would help me get exposure (which could help me get into a PA program). But, I'm not sure if I wouldn't be better served just working as EMT and focusing on getting into a PA program.

Thanks for reading and I look forward to any advice you guys might have for me.
 
Many people use EMS as a stepping stone for nursing, PA, etc. There is a thread sorta like this in the lounge, you may want to read that one too for additional advice. I think that it will be easier to make this decision once you have been working as an EMT. Maybe you will absolutely love EMS and will want to advance in that field, OR, you might find that it's not something you want to do as a career. Either way, getting your basic is an excellent way to get your feet wet and gain valuable knowledge that you can use in a wide variety of health care occupations.
 
He's asking if he should advance to paramedics, or be just an EMT.

I'm not entirely too sure on the requirements and role of a PA, but I've met a ton of EMTs who used EMT to get I guess required clinical hours for PA school, and that's it. To me, seems like a waste of time and money to become a paramedic if you can get into PA school without going to paramedic school. Just stick to being an EMT.
 
If you want to be a PA... be a PA. Why waste a year of valuable school time and money to become a paramedic?

Get out there as an EMT and get in school.
 
NYMedic828 said:
If you want to be a PA... be a PA. Why waste a year of valuable school time and money to become a paramedic?

Get out there as an EMT and get in school.
Click to expand...

Well I was thinking that I need to be able to support my family while I'm school. As an EMT in my area, that's going to be a tall order (even with the GI Bill), and we're pretty darn frugal. My second thought was working as a Paramedic could help give me "better" credentials to get into a program.

I suppose in the end you're right though. If I want to be a PA, it doesn't make sense to spend time becoming a Paramedic. That's going to burn up time and money.
 
SunshineCamo said:
Well I was thinking that I need to be able to support my family while I'm school. As an EMT in my area, that's going to be a tall order (even with the GI Bill), and we're pretty darn frugal. My second thought was working as a Paramedic could help give me "better" credentials to get into a program.

I suppose in the end you're right though. If I want to be a PA, it doesn't make sense to spend time becoming a Paramedic. That's going to burn up time and money.
Click to expand...

Its not easy to commit to a paramedic program while supporting a family either.

Problem with EMS is it is often a dead end. EMT, Paramedic, thats really it. The only way out is to put the car in reverse and turn around.

Always try to keep moving forward if the opportunity presents itself.

Keep in mind there is nothing wrong with being a paramedic. But if you want to be a PA, be a PA.
 
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