Would you recommend an Associates Degree?

[phideux]

How likely are you to want to progress within the next five years to something meatier than EMT-B or even Paramedic?/QUOTE]

Not at all likely. Right now Paramedic is the furthest I have in mind. Actually, scrath that, Flight Medicine would be the actual goal but WA says only RN's. So, for the foreseable future, Medic it is.

I pretty much knew that statistically I am more likely to get the job and better pay which would be nice but, honestly, not something I wanna put myself 20G's in debt over unless it's gonna pay 20G more a year having a degree and it's not. I just didn't know if maybe there was a part of the picture I'm missing.

If your actual goal is Flight Medicine, and they require an RN, why don't you just go to Nursing school?? You can get an Associates Degree in nursing.
I got my Associates in Emergency Medical Technologies, It cost me right around $11K.

 

[NomadicMedic]

Agreed. If you really eventually want flight, and you're planning on staying in Washington, you'll need your RN. (an it pays a LOT better while you're getting your ER/ICU experience that you'll need for flight.)

 

[heatherabel3]

Paying for daycare for 3 kids on one paycheck isn't an option or I would go for nursing. Hubby is home now and can help with the kids so we don't have to pay for daycare but with an upcoming deployment we just can't afford it. Which is why I'm gonna focus on my basic for now and then my medic and then, once kids are old enough, look at finishing up nursing school. Flight medicine would be great and will always be a dream but Medic is where my drive started and has always been.

 

[TatuICU]

If your actual goal is Flight Medicine, and they require an RN, why don't you just go to Nursing school??

Not all do. A lot of places hire Paramedics. If an RN is hired they have to have secondary certification as an EMT-B however. Both are required to ascertain their CF-whatevertheyare within a year of hire however if they haven't already got it

 

[heatherabel3]

I'm pretty sure WA state says you have to be an RN. I could be wrong on that, but thats the way I understand it.

 

[NomadicMedic]

Yep. Airlift NW and Medstar both hire RNs as the providers. Neither hire just medics. Of course, an RN who's also a medic, who possesses the requisite critical care experience would be a good fit.