Rookie EMT registering for Medic- Suggestions?

[Stephanie.]

I am a new EMT, a little over a year certified, less than that on the streets. Looking into Medic school... Would it be better to get some more 'experiance' under my belt before jumping to Medic.. or still keep my 'by the book' knowledge, so I don't get sidetracked by street smarts. Suggestions?


Also, I am a hands on learner... Online course or drive 45 minutes to class.

 

[Shishkabob]

As per getting experience or starting right away, it comes down to what works best for you. I worked as a Basic for only a few shifts before I started my medic program, and did fine. I know people who were EMTs for years, and did fine, and I know people who took their EMT 4 years ago, never worked in EMS, and did fine. There is no "correct' way of doing it, aside from starting when you feel comfortable.


As far as schools go, since you're in Cleburne:

There's Hill College, it's the closest one to you. I have no experience with their program.

There's TCC, up in Ft Worth, which is where I got my EMT from. They are renowned for their paramedic program as well. They do 2 classes a year, one in January and one in August, the January class is the smaller one.

I got my medic from EMTS, but that's over in Dallas which was almost an hour drive for me, so it'd be a bit further for you, but I would recommend it if you don't mind the drive.


As far as online goes, there's trainingdivision.com. They are actually based in Crowley, so it's online and it's close to you. I've heard decent about them.

 

[Stephanie.]

10-4

See I looked into TCC today, & many say its a long drive for me... but its sooo worth their Medic program. I also heard TD was great & thats just right down the road.. but we all know how online classes go... & thats 'something always comes up.' I am always deticated to my studies, but its much better if I have pressure on my back, instead of my wandering on my own.

Never heard of EMTS, but I'll be sure to ask around and look in to it.

 

[Shishkabob]

TCC is totally worth the drive, if you actually get accepted in to their program. Their EMS program is based in their NE campus, which is up in Hurst. Not too far of a drive, but rush hour in Ft Worth sucks up in that direction so you'd have to leave a bit earlier. I would often leave an hour before class, and get home a half hour after leaving class.

EMTS is more known out in the Dallas area, not so much out here, but I found a couple of people who went there and recommended it, so I went and it paid off (obviously )

 

[Stephanie.]

;-)

Nice, But what about the class schedule for TCC? I work B shift at JCFD for 16 hours... 7am- 11pm... && Im sure that would get in the way of schooling. :sad:

 

[Shishkabob]

I know their Fall medic class when I went there was M/T/W 5-930, don't know if that's changed and don't know the January class.

EMTS, where I went, does shift based classes, and mine was on C-shift. They have another C-shift class starting at the end of this month, and it's a day class, so 2 days a week, 8 hours a day.



The good thing about you being in this area for medic school is that they are pretty cheap down here. Mine was only $3000, and I know TCC is close to that as well.

 

[Stephanie.]

Cost

That was one big reason I was so gun-ho on joining M.S, they pay for medic school if you work 2 years in the field with them.. I THINK they have trying to get away from that.. but I'll definately look into EMTS

 

[MrBrown]

One of the TCCC grads got on down here (which is suprising) and I've heard good things about Brookhaven in Farmers Branch if you want to go over yonder that far.

If you do go for one of the non-Degree programs (which I would strongly discourage) then you shoiuld do chem istry 101, A&P 1 and 2 with lab, generic patho (if you can find it), pharmo, scientific research methods, English 101 and communications or public speaking something like that.

 

[medic417]

Your right online is easy to put off the studies and many end up quiting or failing because they procrastinate so much they go past the class deadlines. The better online programs will if you are a very self disciplined student provide as good if not better education than other schools in the area. The other draw back at this time is they are not degree programs. If you were to decide on the online program use one of the following:

1. www.percomonline.com

2. www.techproservices.net

Be advised any program that actually teaches you to be a Paramedic and not just a test taker will not spoon feed you they will make you dig. It will require great sacrifice in time and money no matter which way you go. The hours for the class are nothing it is the hours required to actually dig during personal study that add up and help make you a real quality Paramedic.

 

[MidwestFF]

I have done a number of online college classes; if you are not VERY disciplined it will not turn out well. I myself prefer a hybrid where the lecture material is handled in a interactive format online and the hands on portion in the classroom. This forces you to stay up with the class as you should.

I myself will be starting my medic program in the fall without much of any time on an ambulance. Trying to get a job with just a EMT-B cert here is about the same as listing an award from a previous employer as 'burger flipper of the week', it wont get you very far at all.

The program I have chosen is a degree program with 2,000 hours of classroom and clinical time exclusive of the general education courses like A & P which are required for the program. Like anything you will get out of it what you put into it. Like it has been said before in regards to registry testing you are given a pre-defined set of choices such as A,B,C, or D and you must make one of those fit the situation. Chances are more often than not that none of those answers will truly fit or fully address the issue at hand; in that case I would like option of answer E 'Insert your own clinically appropriate answer here'. Not only do I want to know what to do but the underlying why of it as well. The only way to achieve this is through a thorough and complete education.