A question for you ex-paramedics out there...

[xrs]

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Background: I'm an engineer (materials failure analyst, actually) with no desire to continue working in my field. Although I really enjoy science and problem solving, these aspects of my job are becoming a vanishingly small part of what I do. I've always been somewhat interested in biology, but didn't know if I would like the hands-on aspect of medicine, so I started taking an EMT-B course after work this semester at a local community college. I am loving it so far, and I am sure that I am going to continue working somewhere in the field of medicine.

The question: Why did you decide to continue on with your medical education instead of working as a paramedic? At this point I'm strongly leaning towards pursuing med school, but damn if those lights and sirens aren't addictive! 🙂 If I was younger (I'm 33 now), I'd get the EMT-P and try it on for a few years, but at this point in my life I'm not sure that pushing med school back a couple of years is what I want to do.

Thanks for your help!

 

[southerndoc]

Originally posted by xrs
The question: Why did you decide to continue on with your medical education instead of working as a paramedic? At this point I'm strongly leaning towards pursuing med school, but damn if those lights and sirens aren't addictive! 🙂 If I was younger (I'm 33 now), I'd get the EMT-P and try it on for a few years, but at this point in my life I'm not sure that pushing med school back a couple of years is what I want to do.

Do what I'm doing... residency in EM, fellowship in EMS. I plan on becoming a medical director, which was one of the primary reasons I went to medical school. I'm addicted to EMS (a certified EMS junky).

Why didn't I stay a paramedic? I wanted more education and a better understanding of the pathophys behind a lot of the disease processes. Enroll in medical school and you will find that your basic EMT school only barely scratched the surface of medicine -- probably <5% of what there is to know about medicine.

I would do it all over again in a heartbeat. Can't wait until I start residency -- supposedly the "real education" begins the first day of your residency.

 

[DrDre']

Ditto Geek medic.

I am 32 and an M2. If you are falling in love with medicine in EMT-B class, I would strongly consider finishing your prereqs and applying to med school.

Being a paramedic was great, I miss it. For those that want to know more and do more, however, it is difficult to remain challenged in EMS. There is only admin, teaching and field work.

You could shadow some docs and see if you like it.

I imagine with how you are feeling now, you will be like Geek and I and want more.

You can try to work parttime as an EMT as you finish your coursework. You should know by the time you are ready to apply to med school whether you have made the right choice.
If you have any more questions, I'd be glad to answer them.
Good luck and keep us posted,

 

[paramed2premed]

XRS -
I was a medic for 5 years, working transfers, 911, and in an ED. Loved it, best job in the world. Oh yeah, I am starting med school at 36.

I knew from the start that I wanted to apply to med school, but I was cautious, after an abortive foray into grad school (math) about making sure medicine was for me, and that I had some facility for it. Plus, I needed to take MANY classes to boost my GPA.

You can get plenty of experience as an interested and attentive Basic. Read medical records during transfers, get medical books and read up. Talk to ED docs and nurses. Ask questions and listen! Get your Intermediate, but hold on the medic; time and money that you could spend on many other things!

P.S. When you apply to schools, check out Albany. Lotta medics here! (And basics!) They like us evidently.

 

[12R34Y]

I agree with the above posters....was a medic for 5 years before going to medschool.

I loved every minute of every shift as a medic and I also plan on becoming a medical director in the future. EMS is definately a passion of mine.

Going to medschool really makes you realize how little you actually know as a medic. Don't get me wrong...medics are invaluable and have great skills and critical thinking ability, but MAN! going to medical school made me realize just how much I didn't Know. I'm loving it too.

good luck,

 

[FoughtFyr]

I would agree with the above posters as well.

I was a medic and firefighter for 8 years before med school and spent a year on a municipal consulting team (rode with fire/EMS all over the country). While I loved being a medic, I wanted "something more". For me that was med school... and I wouldn't change that!

BUT...
I also think if I was now on command staff, or more involved with federal disaster response I would also be quite happy. For me, I needed to extend my reach as a firemedic. Med school was the avenue I chose. I do not think it is, by any means, the only avenue available.

- H

BTW - I'm 32 years old and an M4 (I'll be 33 right after graduation)

 

[Apollyon]

I did EMS/FF when I didn't get into med school the first few times. EMT-P was the logical final step; I've maintained my EMT-P, and am still working with EMS (but not on the "bus" - haven't taken a field call in a year!).

Paramedic was great, but I didn't really feel too challenged. EM residency is like the best parts of EMS, and better.

 

[xrs]

I like to know how things work, and the best part of my job is the challenge of figuring out what went wrong. This sounds to me like it was also your biggest reason to continue on.

And the survey says..... med school!

Your collective advice is pretty much what I have in mind for plan "A": 1) quit my day job, 2) take all the bio type prereqs I need, 3) work as much as possible nights as an EMT, 4) rock the MCAT's, 5) go to med school!

I really appreciate your input here. And quick too... it's obvious you're used to responding to emergencies!

paramed2premed: I actually grew up near Albany and most of my family is still there, so its good to know Albany Med is "EMS friendly."

Thanks again, and I'll let you know how it goes!

 

[beanbean]

Me:

Biomedical Engineer and long-time (18 yrs) volunteer EMT.

Just started MS1 at age 35 with a husband and 3 kids.

I've never been happier!

I love EMS and plan to pursue EM. Although I haven't taken a shift in a few months, I turn on my radio everytime I hear sirens go by the house and first responded to my next door neighbor when she fell and broke her hip last week. I had an anatomy exam the next morning and should not have been out playing EMT. Those lights and sirens are addictive, but the level of knowledge and limited skills can be frustrating. I have found that med school is the right path for me to get the best of both worlds.

Good luck!

Deirdre

 

[Febrifuge]

Okay, you people are all my heroes.

I'm 33, and I'm going back to get my prereqs so I can get into med school mmmmaybe 2006. Meanwhile, I have my EMT and that helped me land a second job as a tech in the big famous urban hoo-ha ED in my city.

Tonight's shift, for some reason, was all about poop. Yet I would never dream of quitting. I handled 10 years of dull business-world jobs; I can handle feculent material. Med school should be okay.

Must go to bed; need to be up in 4 hours. Back to your regularly-scheduled thread, already in progress. Be well, do good, kick butt.

 

[deleted6669]

3:30 am
436 lbs
b/l foot pain x 1 yr( non weight bearing)
7th floor, no elevator
enough said.....
if being a medic was all about codes and trauma I would still be doing it. there is just too much lifting, middle of the night bs transfers, etc. I couldn't see being a 55 yr old 911 medic.

 

[Jeff698]

What the hell is going on here? Is this some sort of parallel universe in which all medical students are like carbon copies of each other? I read your initial question and was all set to respond when I got distracted for a couple of days. By the time I returned, it seems there were five or six messages that I could have written exactly!

I did the EMS thing as a paramedic (even got a masters degree in EMS) for about 11 years before starting medical school at 33 y/o. I did street work in three states (Texas, NY and CT) for about 5 years, then administration and education for the rest.

Like the others here, I found I wanted to know and do more. I thought a long time about PA school until I realized that what I really wanted was to be an EMS medical director. I checked and that pretty much requires you to be a physician. Thank God for that requirement because I've been having the time of my life.

I really enjoyed my first two years (OK, assuming you don't count that whole Step I thing) but I'm LOVING third year. I can't wait to EM. I think my EMS career really prepared me well. I still have a lot to learn, but I think it gave me a great foundation to build on.

I still can't believe how similar so many of our paths to medical school are. Here I was thinking I was the only one. 🙂

Take care,
Jeff

 

[paramed2premed]

Got one other medic in my class, and one in the preceding class.

Both are over 30, married, and one just had a kid.

But, like I said, AMC has a thing for medics!

 

[trauma_junky]

Originally posted by emedpa
3:30 am
436 lbs
b/l foot pain x 1 yr( non weight bearing)
7th floor, no elevator
enough said.....
if being a medic was all about codes and trauma I would still be doing it. there is just too much lifting, middle of the night bs transfers, etc. I couldn't see being a 55 yr old 911 medic.

Ya, this is my feelings exactly. I have way too many patients that are noncompliant and have had symptoms for weeks and now at 4 am its an emergency, which is it total BS (ear pain). No one makes appointments with their primary care doc anymore! Last friday I was on shift and there were people lined up at Wal-Mart at 5 am to shop. Where are people's priorities! I wanted to get on the loud speaker and tell everyone one to make an appointmet with their doctor to get their head checked. The abuse of the 911 system by lazy and noncompliant patient is why I want out of EMS. I also need a vacation!

 

[ESU_MD]

I was heavily involved and worked full time EMS for 10yrs before med school. I still really miss it and would like to get involved again.

I really thought I was going into EM too.. Then one day I realized that all the nonsense calls, all the abusive patients and malingerers that abuse 911 go straight to the ED for the docs to deal with- and it often takes alot longer than the 5 minute ambo ride too.

Thats why I ultimately went into surgery. In some places, the ER guys might get to play around with the airway if the street medics didnt secure it or put a chest tube in and do FAST exams, but it is ultimately the surgeon is the guy who stops the bleeding. The rush and satisfaction of doing a trauma ex-lap is unbeatable. Much more exciting to me than taking care of the chf'ers and asthmatics emergencies.

BUT, of course the lifestyle of a surgeon sucks, the pay usually sucks too. I get jealous talking to my ER resident colleagues who get to work 10hr shifts and go home. 3yrs and out making decent cash.

Either way, dont stay as a paramedic- go to med school and achieve your dreams!

 

[southerndoc]

Originally posted by ESU_MD
BUT, of course the lifestyle of a surgeon sucks, the pay usually sucks too. I get jealous talking to my ER resident colleagues who get to work 10hr shifts and go home. 3yrs and out making decent cash.

Not to mention that less trauma goes to the OR these days. If I did surgery, I would have to do trauma. A lot of trauma gets observed or angio'd instead of going to the OR for repair.

Besides, I like working cardiac arrests. You don't get much in the way of survival, but it's fun to run the code.