Guest guest Posted May 12, 2004 Report Share Posted May 12, 2004 After 30 years in EMS, I regret to say that I could not encourage anyone to pursue a career in EMS. If you have the burning desire to do EMS, it's a great stepping stone to another career such as nursing, but as things are today in this country, there is no career to be had in EMS alone for most people. If you are young and want to do EMS for a while, do it. Then go to nursing school. Your EMS experience will make you a far better nurse, and your nursing degree will earn you a living wage. EMS won't unless you choose the firefighter/paramedic option. Further, if you do decide to do EMS, learn as much about it as you can before you embark. You should understand the various methods of providing EMS and what the pros and cons of each are. By all means learn what the initials SSM, SSP, and PUM mean and what you'll be doing and earning if you go to work for a company that uses those models. On the other hand, you may wish to begin to work your way up in the WalMart organization. Become a WalMart manager and you'll make many times what you'll make as an EMS provider, you'll have the satisfaction of selling Chinese products to your friends at rock bottom prices, and youll never have to worry about killing anybody or being sued for malpractice. Cheers, Gene Gandy In a message dated 5/12/2004 1:25:17 PM Central Daylight Time, jrbnj@... writes: Thinking of going to school to either become an EMT-P or RN and trying to come up with the pros and cons of each. Anyone have any thoughts? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 12, 2004 Report Share Posted May 12, 2004 After 30 years in EMS, I regret to say that I could not encourage anyone to pursue a career in EMS. If you have the burning desire to do EMS, it's a great stepping stone to another career such as nursing, but as things are today in this country, there is no career to be had in EMS alone for most people. If you are young and want to do EMS for a while, do it. Then go to nursing school. Your EMS experience will make you a far better nurse, and your nursing degree will earn you a living wage. EMS won't unless you choose the firefighter/paramedic option. Further, if you do decide to do EMS, learn as much about it as you can before you embark. You should understand the various methods of providing EMS and what the pros and cons of each are. By all means learn what the initials SSM, SSP, and PUM mean and what you'll be doing and earning if you go to work for a company that uses those models. On the other hand, you may wish to begin to work your way up in the WalMart organization. Become a WalMart manager and you'll make many times what you'll make as an EMS provider, you'll have the satisfaction of selling Chinese products to your friends at rock bottom prices, and youll never have to worry about killing anybody or being sued for malpractice. Cheers, Gene Gandy In a message dated 5/12/2004 1:25:17 PM Central Daylight Time, jrbnj@... writes: Thinking of going to school to either become an EMT-P or RN and trying to come up with the pros and cons of each. Anyone have any thoughts? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 12, 2004 Report Share Posted May 12, 2004 After 30 years in EMS, I regret to say that I could not encourage anyone to pursue a career in EMS. If you have the burning desire to do EMS, it's a great stepping stone to another career such as nursing, but as things are today in this country, there is no career to be had in EMS alone for most people. If you are young and want to do EMS for a while, do it. Then go to nursing school. Your EMS experience will make you a far better nurse, and your nursing degree will earn you a living wage. EMS won't unless you choose the firefighter/paramedic option. Further, if you do decide to do EMS, learn as much about it as you can before you embark. You should understand the various methods of providing EMS and what the pros and cons of each are. By all means learn what the initials SSM, SSP, and PUM mean and what you'll be doing and earning if you go to work for a company that uses those models. On the other hand, you may wish to begin to work your way up in the WalMart organization. Become a WalMart manager and you'll make many times what you'll make as an EMS provider, you'll have the satisfaction of selling Chinese products to your friends at rock bottom prices, and youll never have to worry about killing anybody or being sued for malpractice. Cheers, Gene Gandy In a message dated 5/12/2004 1:25:17 PM Central Daylight Time, jrbnj@... writes: Thinking of going to school to either become an EMT-P or RN and trying to come up with the pros and cons of each. Anyone have any thoughts? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 12, 2004 Report Share Posted May 12, 2004 Do both!! Kathi Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 12, 2004 Report Share Posted May 12, 2004 I must agree with what Gene has said, I am sorry to say. Let me add one thought. You also might consider Physician Assistant schooling. It is a very good job and the pay is excellent. Just my thoughts, > > After 30 years in EMS, I regret to say that I could not encourage anyone to > pursue a career in EMS. If you have the burning desire to do EMS, it's a > great > stepping stone to another career such as nursing, but as things are today in > this country, there is no career to be had in EMS alone for most people. > > If you are young and want to do EMS for a while, do it. Then go to nursing > school. Your EMS experience will make you a far better nurse, and your > nursing > degree will earn you a living wage. EMS won't unless you choose the > firefighter/paramedic option. > > Further, if you do decide to do EMS, learn as much about it as you can > before you embark. You should understand the various methods of providing > EMS and > what the pros and cons of each are. By all means learn what the initials > SSM, > SSP, and PUM mean and what you'll be doing and earning if you go to work for > a company that uses those models. > > On the other hand, you may wish to begin to work your way up in the WalMart > organization. Become a WalMart manager and you'll make many times what > you'll > make as an EMS provider, you'll have the satisfaction of selling Chinese > products to your friends at rock bottom prices, and youll never have to > worry > about killing anybody or being sued for malpractice. > > Cheers, > > Gene Gandy > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 12, 2004 Report Share Posted May 12, 2004 Dang Gene. I thought I was the only person feeling burned out and cynical today. Thanks for letting me realize that I'm not alone. (Man, is this a CISM moment or what?) Barry Re: EMT-P or RN After 30 years in EMS, I regret to say that I could not encourage anyone to pursue a career in EMS. If you have the burning desire to do EMS, it's a great stepping stone to another career such as nursing, but as things are today in this country, there is no career to be had in EMS alone for most people. If you are young and want to do EMS for a while, do it. Then go to nursing school. Your EMS experience will make you a far better nurse, and your nursing degree will earn you a living wage. EMS won't unless you choose the firefighter/paramedic option. Further, if you do decide to do EMS, learn as much about it as you can before you embark. You should understand the various methods of providing EMS and what the pros and cons of each are. By all means learn what the initials SSM, SSP, and PUM mean and what you'll be doing and earning if you go to work for a company that uses those models. On the other hand, you may wish to begin to work your way up in the WalMart organization. Become a WalMart manager and you'll make many times what you'll make as an EMS provider, you'll have the satisfaction of selling Chinese products to your friends at rock bottom prices, and youll never have to worry about killing anybody or being sued for malpractice. Cheers, Gene Gandy In a message dated 5/12/2004 1:25:17 PM Central Daylight Time, jrbnj@... writes: Thinking of going to school to either become an EMT-P or RN and trying to come up with the pros and cons of each. Anyone have any thoughts? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 12, 2004 Report Share Posted May 12, 2004 Dang Gene. I thought I was the only person feeling burned out and cynical today. Thanks for letting me realize that I'm not alone. (Man, is this a CISM moment or what?) Barry Re: EMT-P or RN After 30 years in EMS, I regret to say that I could not encourage anyone to pursue a career in EMS. If you have the burning desire to do EMS, it's a great stepping stone to another career such as nursing, but as things are today in this country, there is no career to be had in EMS alone for most people. If you are young and want to do EMS for a while, do it. Then go to nursing school. Your EMS experience will make you a far better nurse, and your nursing degree will earn you a living wage. EMS won't unless you choose the firefighter/paramedic option. Further, if you do decide to do EMS, learn as much about it as you can before you embark. You should understand the various methods of providing EMS and what the pros and cons of each are. By all means learn what the initials SSM, SSP, and PUM mean and what you'll be doing and earning if you go to work for a company that uses those models. On the other hand, you may wish to begin to work your way up in the WalMart organization. Become a WalMart manager and you'll make many times what you'll make as an EMS provider, you'll have the satisfaction of selling Chinese products to your friends at rock bottom prices, and youll never have to worry about killing anybody or being sued for malpractice. Cheers, Gene Gandy In a message dated 5/12/2004 1:25:17 PM Central Daylight Time, jrbnj@... writes: Thinking of going to school to either become an EMT-P or RN and trying to come up with the pros and cons of each. Anyone have any thoughts? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 12, 2004 Report Share Posted May 12, 2004 Dang Gene. I thought I was the only person feeling burned out and cynical today. Thanks for letting me realize that I'm not alone. (Man, is this a CISM moment or what?) Barry Re: EMT-P or RN After 30 years in EMS, I regret to say that I could not encourage anyone to pursue a career in EMS. If you have the burning desire to do EMS, it's a great stepping stone to another career such as nursing, but as things are today in this country, there is no career to be had in EMS alone for most people. If you are young and want to do EMS for a while, do it. Then go to nursing school. Your EMS experience will make you a far better nurse, and your nursing degree will earn you a living wage. EMS won't unless you choose the firefighter/paramedic option. Further, if you do decide to do EMS, learn as much about it as you can before you embark. You should understand the various methods of providing EMS and what the pros and cons of each are. By all means learn what the initials SSM, SSP, and PUM mean and what you'll be doing and earning if you go to work for a company that uses those models. On the other hand, you may wish to begin to work your way up in the WalMart organization. Become a WalMart manager and you'll make many times what you'll make as an EMS provider, you'll have the satisfaction of selling Chinese products to your friends at rock bottom prices, and youll never have to worry about killing anybody or being sued for malpractice. Cheers, Gene Gandy In a message dated 5/12/2004 1:25:17 PM Central Daylight Time, jrbnj@... writes: Thinking of going to school to either become an EMT-P or RN and trying to come up with the pros and cons of each. Anyone have any thoughts? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 12, 2004 Report Share Posted May 12, 2004 Did you say CISM? Let me tell you my opinion........... BEB Re: EMT-P or RN After 30 years in EMS, I regret to say that I could not encourage anyone to pursue a career in EMS. If you have the burning desire to do EMS, it's a great stepping stone to another career such as nursing, but as things are today in this country, there is no career to be had in EMS alone for most people. If you are young and want to do EMS for a while, do it. Then go to nursing school. Your EMS experience will make you a far better nurse, and your nursing degree will earn you a living wage. EMS won't unless you choose the firefighter/paramedic option. Further, if you do decide to do EMS, learn as much about it as you can before you embark. You should understand the various methods of providing EMS and what the pros and cons of each are. By all means learn what the initials SSM, SSP, and PUM mean and what you'll be doing and earning if you go to work for a company that uses those models. On the other hand, you may wish to begin to work your way up in the WalMart organization. Become a WalMart manager and you'll make many times what you'll make as an EMS provider, you'll have the satisfaction of selling Chinese products to your friends at rock bottom prices, and youll never have to worry about killing anybody or being sued for malpractice. Cheers, Gene Gandy In a message dated 5/12/2004 1:25:17 PM Central Daylight Time, jrbnj@... writes: Thinking of going to school to either become an EMT-P or RN and trying to come up with the pros and cons of each. Anyone have any thoughts? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 12, 2004 Report Share Posted May 12, 2004 Definitely RN. More money, better hours, better benefits. Before I get flamed, this is assuming you work for a hospital as an RN as opposed to a private EMS sevice as an EMT-P. > Thinking of going to school to either become an EMT-P or RN and > trying to come up with the pros and cons of each. Anyone have any > thoughts? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 12, 2004 Report Share Posted May 12, 2004 Definitely RN. More money, better hours, better benefits. Before I get flamed, this is assuming you work for a hospital as an RN as opposed to a private EMS sevice as an EMT-P. > Thinking of going to school to either become an EMT-P or RN and > trying to come up with the pros and cons of each. Anyone have any > thoughts? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 12, 2004 Report Share Posted May 12, 2004 Definitely RN. More money, better hours, better benefits. Before I get flamed, this is assuming you work for a hospital as an RN as opposed to a private EMS sevice as an EMT-P. > Thinking of going to school to either become an EMT-P or RN and > trying to come up with the pros and cons of each. Anyone have any > thoughts? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 12, 2004 Report Share Posted May 12, 2004 This is a setup, right? Let's see......... RN = Upwards of 70K per annum. if you specialize and are motivated. LP = Upwards of 35K per annum if you choose to work only 1 job. You can make 70K if you work like a dog 60 or 70 hrs. a week......unless you REALLY like being a paramedic, at which point you are trading job satisfaction for money. Find a group of paramedics, and see how many are in nursing school sometime. magnetass sends EMT-P or RN > Thinking of going to school to either become an EMT-P or RN and > trying to come up with the pros and cons of each. Anyone have any > thoughts? > > > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 12, 2004 Report Share Posted May 12, 2004 OK, here's my two cents... After many years in EMS, I too am in nursing school (trying to do as much online as I can-and there's A LOT that can be done online through your local community college). I have reached the point in my life where I'd like to be able to house and feed my kids without either government assistance or working 60-80 hours per week. EMS is an easy road because it does not require pre-reqs, etc. LVN is the same way, BUT most LVN programs are 18 months long, to get an associates in nursing (you see BSN's mostly in management or in the military) it will take you 2 years from start to finish. The pay is much better for RN's as opposed to LVN's, but if you just don't want to deal with all the pre-reqs and are looking for decent money in a relatively short amount of time, then go LVN. You'll still make MUCH more than you would as a paramedic. I don't remember who it was that posted the comment about a group of paramedics and see how many are in (or considering) nursing school, but they were right. Unless you can get into a big city unionized FD, you will realistically not be able to make a living in EMS. If you're young and single with no responsibilities and want to find out if medicine appeals to you, EMT is a good way to go. I WISH someone would have told me 10 years ago to test for SAFD, or that they'd advised me to spend two years and get my RN. I wouldn't have struggled financially for all these years. The federal government says you can support a family of 4 on less than 9 dollars an hour (at the poverty level) this is apparently the guidelines that most private EMS services follow, as this is about the going rate for a new paramedic, ESPECIALLY if you are offered benefits. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 12, 2004 Report Share Posted May 12, 2004 According to my wife the problem with being an RN is that you have to work with RNs. She is an RN and former EMT-P. Re: EMT-P or RN Definitely RN. More money, better hours, better benefits. Before I get flamed, this is assuming you work for a hospital as an RN as opposed to a private EMS sevice as an EMT-P. > Thinking of going to school to either become an EMT-P or RN and > trying to come up with the pros and cons of each. Anyone have any > thoughts? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 12, 2004 Report Share Posted May 12, 2004 According to my wife the problem with being an RN is that you have to work with RNs. She is an RN and former EMT-P. Re: EMT-P or RN Definitely RN. More money, better hours, better benefits. Before I get flamed, this is assuming you work for a hospital as an RN as opposed to a private EMS sevice as an EMT-P. > Thinking of going to school to either become an EMT-P or RN and > trying to come up with the pros and cons of each. Anyone have any > thoughts? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 12, 2004 Report Share Posted May 12, 2004 According to my wife the problem with being an RN is that you have to work with RNs. She is an RN and former EMT-P. Re: EMT-P or RN Definitely RN. More money, better hours, better benefits. Before I get flamed, this is assuming you work for a hospital as an RN as opposed to a private EMS sevice as an EMT-P. > Thinking of going to school to either become an EMT-P or RN and > trying to come up with the pros and cons of each. Anyone have any > thoughts? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 12, 2004 Report Share Posted May 12, 2004 -- " jrbnj " wrote: >Thinking of going to school to either become an EMT-P or RN and >trying to come up with the pros and cons of each. Anyone have any >thoughts? Hmmm... my perspective as a 28 year medic, of which 21 I have also been a RN. On top of that, I just earned my BSc.(graduated last Saturday in Phoenix!), but in Public Safety Administration, on the way to either a MSc or MPA in Emergency Management. I guess when I grow up (g) I want to do something in the Disaster Medicine / Terrorism response / readiness arena. If you have an interest in flight nursing , it helps to have some pre-hospital background. If ER or other critical care nursing is your interest, prehospital can help you, also. EMStock 2004 is coming! CE, Fellowship, and Fun! May 21-23, 2004 - Midlothian Larry RN LP EMSI Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 12, 2004 Report Share Posted May 12, 2004 A heartfelt congratulations on your degree. Did you get the previous email I sent off-list? Re: EMT-P or RN -- " jrbnj " wrote: >Thinking of going to school to either become an EMT-P or RN and >trying to come up with the pros and cons of each. Anyone have any >thoughts? Hmmm... my perspective as a 28 year medic, of which 21 I have also been a RN. On top of that, I just earned my BSc.(graduated last Saturday in Phoenix!), but in Public Safety Administration, on the way to either a MSc or MPA in Emergency Management. I guess when I grow up (g) I want to do something in the Disaster Medicine / Terrorism response / readiness arena. If you have an interest in flight nursing , it helps to have some pre-hospital background. If ER or other critical care nursing is your interest, prehospital can help you, also. EMStock 2004 is coming! CE, Fellowship, and Fun! May 21-23, 2004 - Midlothian Larry RN LP EMSI Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 13, 2004 Report Share Posted May 13, 2004 Gosh Gene - Do you have to be so painfully right? >>> wegandy1938@... 5/12/2004 1:38:36 PM >>> After 30 years in EMS, I regret to say that I could not encourage anyone to pursue a career in EMS. If you have the burning desire to do EMS, it's a great stepping stone to another career such as nursing, but as things are today in this country, there is no career to be had in EMS alone for most people. If you are young and want to do EMS for a while, do it. Then go to nursing school. Your EMS experience will make you a far better nurse, and your nursing degree will earn you a living wage. EMS won't unless you choose the firefighter/paramedic option. Further, if you do decide to do EMS, learn as much about it as you can before you embark. You should understand the various methods of providing EMS and what the pros and cons of each are. By all means learn what the initials SSM, SSP, and PUM mean and what you'll be doing and earning if you go to work for a company that uses those models. On the other hand, you may wish to begin to work your way up in the WalMart organization. Become a WalMart manager and you'll make many times what you'll make as an EMS provider, you'll have the satisfaction of selling Chinese products to your friends at rock bottom prices, and youll never have to worry about killing anybody or being sued for malpractice. Cheers, Gene Gandy In a message dated 5/12/2004 1:25:17 PM Central Daylight Time, jrbnj@... writes: Thinking of going to school to either become an EMT-P or RN and trying to come up with the pros and cons of each. Anyone have any thoughts? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 13, 2004 Report Share Posted May 13, 2004 Re: EMT-P or RN > I do a lot of non-EMS things now (I own a training center and do > consulting in several fields). The non-EMS things pay a LOT more. But, > when I walk out of a client's offices after a hard day of computer > systems design, it's just nowhere NEAR the same feeling I had after > leaving the station at 7am after saving lives and making the world > BETTER for a day. > > =Steve= > I know what you mean myself. I had to make a decision for my family, and so I went to work with the safety dept (as an EMT, but also to prevent acciddents) in an industrial business and volunteer my time as a first responder with my local VFD. Now I can support my family at a level they deserve, but I still get to help my community which is what I wanted to do since the first time I climbed into a fire truck with my dad at about 4 years old. Guess I lucked out to find a job that still lets me help people but pays enough allow me to spend time with my wife and kiddo. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 13, 2004 Report Share Posted May 13, 2004 Since I own the company, I can do our part by doing training in EMS and Pre-EMS areas. We do a lot of that. Plus, we have 30 instructors scattered all over, mostly independent folks that can use the training as a sideline (most teach things like CPR, First Aid, AED, Emergency Oxygen, etc. though ASHI, our training agency, does have ACLS, FR, Wilderness FA, and soon PALS). So, we help the community with the training, and we help EMS folks by making it as easy as possible for them to be certified to teach (EMS Instructors, for example, get full reciprocity, and only do a 1-2 hour orientation with me). I'd love to spend more time on a unit, but EMS in the metro areas (we're near Dallas) has gone away from volunteers mostly, and the few agencies that use volunteers are covered up mostly with volunteers. But, we do our part. And it isn't an easy thing either; by devoting resources to these much lower paying opportunities (an hour teaching a class is less than 1/2 what that same hour could be billed for to a client for computer stuff) we are making sacrifices because it's just the right thing to do. =Steve= Crosby wrote: > Re: EMT-P or RN > > > > >>I do a lot of non-EMS things now (I own a training center and do >>consulting in several fields). The non-EMS things pay a LOT more. But, >>when I walk out of a client's offices after a hard day of computer >>systems design, it's just nowhere NEAR the same feeling I had after >>leaving the station at 7am after saving lives and making the world >>BETTER for a day. >> >>=Steve= >> >> >> > > I know what you mean myself. I had to make a decision for my family, >and so I went to work with the safety dept (as an EMT, but also to prevent >acciddents) in an industrial business and volunteer my time as a first >responder with my local VFD. Now I can support my family at a level they >deserve, but I still get to help my community which is what I wanted to do >since the first time I climbed into a fire truck with my dad at about 4 >years old. Guess I lucked out to find a job that still lets me help people >but pays enough allow me to spend time with my wife and kiddo. > > > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 13, 2004 Report Share Posted May 13, 2004 Since I own the company, I can do our part by doing training in EMS and Pre-EMS areas. We do a lot of that. Plus, we have 30 instructors scattered all over, mostly independent folks that can use the training as a sideline (most teach things like CPR, First Aid, AED, Emergency Oxygen, etc. though ASHI, our training agency, does have ACLS, FR, Wilderness FA, and soon PALS). So, we help the community with the training, and we help EMS folks by making it as easy as possible for them to be certified to teach (EMS Instructors, for example, get full reciprocity, and only do a 1-2 hour orientation with me). I'd love to spend more time on a unit, but EMS in the metro areas (we're near Dallas) has gone away from volunteers mostly, and the few agencies that use volunteers are covered up mostly with volunteers. But, we do our part. And it isn't an easy thing either; by devoting resources to these much lower paying opportunities (an hour teaching a class is less than 1/2 what that same hour could be billed for to a client for computer stuff) we are making sacrifices because it's just the right thing to do. =Steve= Crosby wrote: > Re: EMT-P or RN > > > > >>I do a lot of non-EMS things now (I own a training center and do >>consulting in several fields). The non-EMS things pay a LOT more. But, >>when I walk out of a client's offices after a hard day of computer >>systems design, it's just nowhere NEAR the same feeling I had after >>leaving the station at 7am after saving lives and making the world >>BETTER for a day. >> >>=Steve= >> >> >> > > I know what you mean myself. I had to make a decision for my family, >and so I went to work with the safety dept (as an EMT, but also to prevent >acciddents) in an industrial business and volunteer my time as a first >responder with my local VFD. Now I can support my family at a level they >deserve, but I still get to help my community which is what I wanted to do >since the first time I climbed into a fire truck with my dad at about 4 >years old. Guess I lucked out to find a job that still lets me help people >but pays enough allow me to spend time with my wife and kiddo. > > > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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