EMT dilemma...

[voirlesetoiles]

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I worked for about 5 months as an EMT after getting my certification. My scholarship won't be renewed next semester and I'll have to work part-time. Taking this into consideration, it will be really difficult to devote 12 hr shifts during the week.

At the same time, I'm afraid to quit in case this will be perceived badly by AdComs. Am I correct in thinking this?

Also, if I do quit but opt to volunteer at a hospital and clinic in 4 hr blocks each week.... does this alleviate the issue in case my EMS volunteering comes up during an interview?

 

[TheRealMD]

I worked for about 5 months as an EMT after getting my certification. My scholarship won't be renewed next semester and I'll have to work part-time. Taking this into consideration, it will be really difficult to devote 12 hr shifts during the week.

At the same time, I'm afraid to quit in case this will be perceived badly by AdComs. Am I correct in thinking this?

Also, if I do quit but opt to volunteer at a hospital and clinic in 4 hr blocks each week.... does this alleviate the issue in case my EMS volunteering comes up during an interview?

Err.. quitting isn't bad at all. You have a pretty good reason for it. Being an EMT is very time demanding and you can't do it all.

Just do what you were going to do and replace it with another activity like hospital volunteering that shows you are still committed to serving the community.

In reality, they don't look at time periods too much, as long as there aren't major gaps.

 

[DreamyKid]

how many shifts r u required to take per week? I think its 2 right? I'm doing 10 hr shifts and its doable if ur up for it.

 

[armybound]

No it won't be perceived as negative. Yes volunteering will look good.

 

[moe_4eva]

Honestly, working in a hospital is probably better for you anyway. I've worked for the fire department for 2 years now as a FF/EMT, and applied for the first time last year. I didn't get in, and when I went in to talk to a dean of admissions at one of the schools, he told me that I needed clinical experience in a hospital (either as an ER tech, as a phlebotomist, etc.). Of course, it seemed a bit ridiculous since I get more hands-on patient care than anyone I know, but I suppose they want you to know that working in a hospital is boring and that patients are not always pleasant in the long-term (again, don't know why this wouldn't show through anyway).

So, I would say it won't matter all that much. Although, for what it's worth, I've worked 36 hours a week for the past 2 years, and still managed to keep a 3.90 GPA. It's just how much work you're willing to put into it (although I have been known to doze in classes after I've been up all night 😀)

 

[voirlesetoiles]

DreamyKid... yes it's 1-2 12 hour shifts per week... the minimum is six shifts per month.

Moe... it's awesome that you can keep up the 3.9 with work and your other commitments. rock on.

I still haven't decided what to do, but it's nice to know that med schools won't look upon it too harshly. Thanks for the feedback.

 

[TheRealMD]

Honestly, working in a hospital is probably better for you anyway. I've worked for the fire department for 2 years now as a FF/EMT, and applied for the first time last year. I didn't get in, and when I went in to talk to a dean of admissions at one of the schools, he told me that I needed clinical experience in a hospital (either as an ER tech, as a phlebotomist, etc.). Of course, it seemed a bit ridiculous since I get more hands-on patient care than anyone I know, but I suppose they want you to know that working in a hospital is boring and that patients are not always pleasant in the long-term (again, don't know why this wouldn't show through anyway).

So, I would say it won't matter all that much. Although, for what it's worth, I've worked 36 hours a week for the past 2 years, and still managed to keep a 3.90 GPA. It's just how much work you're willing to put into it (although I have been known to doze in classes after I've been up all night 😀)

Well, not to be mean, but that's really the truth. Don't think being an EMT will replace volunteering at a hospital. I'm guessing your goal isn't to be an EMT the rest of your life.

 

[h0bbes]

Honestly, working in a hospital is probably better for you anyway. I've worked for the fire department for 2 years now as a FF/EMT, and applied for the first time last year. I didn't get in, and when I went in to talk to a dean of admissions at one of the schools, he told me that I needed clinical experience in a hospital (either as an ER tech, as a phlebotomist, etc.). Of course, it seemed a bit ridiculous since I get more hands-on patient care than anyone I know, but I suppose they want you to know that working in a hospital is boring and that patients are not always pleasant in the long-term (again, don't know why this wouldn't show through anyway).

So, I would say it won't matter all that much. Although, for what it's worth, I've worked 36 hours a week for the past 2 years, and still managed to keep a 3.90 GPA. It's just how much work you're willing to put into it (although I have been known to doze in classes after I've been up all night 😀)

🙁 I've always thought that volunteering as an EMT was a good way to show you have clinical experience. Anyone else have any similar experiences when interviewing?

 

[voirlesetoiles]

Well, not to be mean, but that's really the truth. Don't think being an EMT will replace volunteering at a hospital. I'm guessing your goal isn't to be an EMT the rest of your life.

I shadowed two physicians but I have no hospital volunteering. I kind of agree that EMT doesn't substitute volunteer experience. You don't interact much with hospital employees except while you give the report of what happened to the patient. You're restricted to EMT skills and that alone. But the patient contact you get with being an EMT is great and it's good clinical experience regardless of whether it can substitute hospital work.

Maybe I will quit and explore the hospital side next year....

 

[moe_4eva]

Well, not to be mean, but that's really the truth. Don't think being an EMT will replace volunteering at a hospital. I'm guessing your goal isn't to be an EMT the rest of your life.

Yes, but that's only part of the story, now isn't it? I'm guessing though that 2 years at 36 hours a week of packaging and treating patients is probably thousands more hours of patient experience than what most people get. Sure it isn't "clinical" in an exact sense of the word, but I do far more as an EMT than most pre-meds do in a hospital setting. However, on top of that I shadowed one doctor for 8 months, and various others for shorter time periods. On top of that, I have volunteer experience. However, I was told that shadow and volunteer experience do not count for clinical experience, as they count for shadow and volunteer experience (in other words, I couldn't double dip). Problematic, I know.

 

[emttim]

As far as the OP's dilemma goes, I would think that quitting wouldn't be perceived negatively at all...even if you don't volunteer as a hospital, if you volly as an EMT, it'll probably be viewed the exact same (maybe better since its unpaid).

Speaking of which, seeing as you haven't worked as an EMT for very long so you probably still remember, how long did it take for you to hear anything back on your job apps after you applied out of curiosity? I just got my NREMT card and I have two apps sitting on my desk, just wondering how long I'll have to keep working at ****ty Kaiser while I wait.

 

[voirlesetoiles]

As far as the OP's dilemma goes, I would think that quitting wouldn't be perceived negatively at all...even if you don't volunteer as a hospital, if you volly as an EMT, it'll probably be viewed the exact same (maybe better since its unpaid).

Speaking of which, seeing as you haven't worked as an EMT for very long so you probably still remember, how long did it take for you to hear anything back on your job apps after you applied out of curiosity? I just got my NREMT card and I have two apps sitting on my desk, just wondering how long I'll have to keep working at ****ty Kaiser while I wait.

I'm a volunteer EMT-Basic. All the EMS stations in my area are more than happy to accept volunteers, so I had four to pick from and picked the one closest to my house. After I applied, it took about 2 weeks to hear back. Immediately after I applied, the station said I could ride as observer on the truck until my application was processed.

I observed for a few shifts before they got back to me on my application. Didn't do anything on those shifts, but it shows initiative and perhaps was a test to see if I was really interested.. I don't know for sure. While your app is being processed at those two places, I recommend that you inquire about if you can ride as observer. It would help you in getting to know the others that work at the station and is a major plus point in showing that you're very intersted and want to start right away.

But my jobs for next semester have nothing to do with EMT or medicine in fact. I tutor college classes... I'll be increasing my hours doing that double fold. Also working at a coffeeshop. 🙂