Medic School

Bennyems

Bennyems

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I'm not really sure if this is best place to be asking, I guess it's as good as any.

I'm currently an EMT- B, but the goal at the beginning was to be a paramedic. From what I understand the Basic class is nothing compared to Medic school. I'm thinking that the best way for me to go is the Certificate route as opposed to the degree route. However I do work full time outside of EMS, and with a certificate program its very fast paced and the nearest campus from where I live is about an hour and a half away. So I guess what I'm getting at is, does anyone have some awesome advice about juggling full-time school and work? Or is it better to get a degree, and why? The whole thing kinda scares me a little, so I guess some general guidance would be awesome.
Thanks.
 
I don't think it makes any difference to your employer whether if you are a degree medic or not.

I was part time during didactic and clinicals. It took awhile to find a preceptor so I went full time. I was full time throughout my internship. It wasn't too bad, but I would rarely have days off.
 
This is the advice my instructor gave me, and it worked. Sit down with a calendar and plan your life for the length of your program. Class on this day, clinicals today, work now, study here, see friends/family on this time. It's entirely possible to work full-time and do well in medic school, but it takes effort. Don't be afraid to move things around. I switched to nights to have more time to study (it worked with my service, YMMV). I had three jobs in medic school (for awhile anyways) and I made it.

IMO get the degree. Maybe not right this second, but get the degree. It makes you more marketable (I know in FL most agencies give you more points for even an AS). Plus, if you continue your education later on, you've further along than the person with just a Certificate. The way I did it was I finished all the non-paramedic classes before I started Paramedic school. That way when I finished medic classes I had my degree.
 
Degree+National Registry would help if you're ever looking to move (very likely).
An Associate's Degree generally has nursing/health pre-requisites that will give you a little flexibility and a few padding credits should you plan to do anything else with your education.

As for juggling work and school, having your manager/employer on your side regarding this is helpful, as with a lot of things.
 
Definitely go for the degree if you don't already have one.
 
I just finished a certificate program in my area and will be finishing my degree starting in January. Is it a must have? No, but it is nice to have because it can opent the door to higher learning and more opportunities. I quit my full time job after my first semester and got a part time job and that was difficult to manage but I know people who worked full time hours and did just fine working rotating 12 hr shifts. For me, the amount of studying to priority. I lived a spartan life and the process was the best and worst experience of my life LOL.
 
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