EMT-B summer of M0

[moomix906]

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anyone think it is worthwhile to pay and take an EMT-B course right before you enter?

 

[Rockhouse]

Qualify worthwhile. I think it would be far to say it isn't going to help you academically your first couple of years. Would it be worthwhile as in adding to your general knowledge base? I don't see how it could hurt. Particularly if you are interested in emergency medicine and the like.

 

[ijcMD]

Taking the class couldn't hurt. There are several people in my class who recieved certification and practiced. This one, who was an EMT in NYC, always has these crazy stories about his time on the job. Some of it can relate to CVS physiology.

 

[45408]

Pretty worthless, IMO. You don't learn a whole lot in an EMT-B course, and unless you are going to have a chance to use it, what's the point? I'm renewing mine right now, but I have a job lined up.

 

[AggieJohn]

I wouldn't do it. Kind of a waste of your time. The material is very simple, something you would learn in 2 days in med school. I am also entering this fall, and I let mine expire last month.

 

[chrsjav]

Let's say you get certified this summer. You'll be able to use it once (next summer) before you start clinicals, and even then you might have something else on your plate like research.

EMT-B really is basic stuff unless you're in one of those states that allows intubation or IVs. I say wait for your ACLS training in fourth year.

 

[Agent Splat]

big waste. experience in the field is what counts. you'll be wasting your time, learning little that's useful without any significant field experience, wasting the instructor's time, and possibly taking a spot in the class away from somebody that will use it and be able to benefit others. enjoy your summer instead. EMT class is fun, but you can find other kinds of fun for your summer.

 

[rainwoman]

Contrary to what AggieJohn has to say, you do NOT learn in med school the things that you learn in an EMT-B class. I come from an EMS background and have been pretty shocked by how little those skills are taught in med school. I would pick an EMT to help me anyday over a 1st or 2nd year med student. EMS skills are invaluable, give you systematic ways to assess patients that really differ from the good old H&P taught in med school.

That said, you're in to med school. So if you are taking an EMT-B for any other reason than you are interested in EMS, want to go into emergency medicine, etc., it is probably more work than its worth.

 

[Reimat]

anyone think it is worthwhile to pay and take an EMT-B course right before you enter?

No, no, and again no. Not worth spending the money and not worth what you'll get out of it (little to nothing). I was an EMT-B and ran on a squad for 2.5 years for ~15 hours a week before med school. It was a good experience and I loved it - but doesn't really add much benefit to your medical education. The skills you learn are mostly common sense, and you'll learn history taking and other interviewing skills in much more depth in medical school. Instead, spend the summer working the make a little money, or travel, or relax and hang with your family/significant other.

 

[BaylorGuy]

I'm with The Prowler on this one. I think you would be wasting your time and money by doing EMT-B. Besides, you really don't get to do a whole lot as a basic, and it would take too much time and money to try and get either I or P.

That being said however, there are about a handful of students in my class that are already EMT-P and they work everyother weekend for pay. But they had all their EMT pre-reqs done long before they started med school

 

[Critical Mass]

Only one suggestion is valid for M0 summer as far as I'm concerned...

Relax!

Turbulence ahead. Cargo may shift in transit.

 

[Bjams]

I decided to work at an EMT-B during my year off prior to entering med school. So far, I've been pretty disappointed with the experience. I agree with those saying it's pretty much common sense stuff and not worth spending your summer on unless you'd like a more in-depth look at EMS to aid in a career as an ER doc.

 

[bjackrian]

I have a friend who's an MS2 who has made a fair amount of money working one shift a week as an EMT-B in the ED at the hospital affiliated with his school. He's also gotten to get to know some of the EM attendings and residents pretty well which I figure will help him when he applies for an EM residency.

That said, I agree with other people that the skills in an EMT-B class are not going to be that helpful in medical school, so I wouldn't take the class for that reason. If you have a job, though, it might be an interesting way to earn some money on the side and get to know some clinical faculty.

 

[Crazy4F1]

what you learn in an emt class and what you will actually practice out in the field with it are two entirely different things. the class is worthless unless you can get a few solid months (years?) field experience along with it. and especially dont take it if you're paying for it - in my state, the thing is like 500-600 dollars and you can get the state to pay for it if you're on a volunteer squad. definetly a waste of money to pay that much for something you're probably not even going to use.