being a paramedic?

Question

Anyone who is a paramedic i like to know a. how hard is it to become a paramedic , whats the schooling like ? Does it involve alot of math science etc? and do you like the job?

Answer 1

Hi! I'm a paramedic, and I recently got my license. I've been working in the field for about six months now.

Usually, to become a paramedic, you need either your high school diploma or GED. Then, you need to take an EMT-Basic course (usually lasts about a semester) where you will learn basic procedures. After that, you can enroll in a paramedic program. The average paramedic program lasts between 1 and 2 years, and results in either a certificate or an associate's degree. After that, you need to pass state and national tests, so you can get a license to practice as a paramedic in the state you want to work in.
There is some science involved, but it's mostly human anatomy and physiology, more biological sciences. You will have to understand how different medications affect the human body, so I guess there's some chemistry in there, too. As far as math goes, all you really need to know is Algebra 1 (for drug calculations). Math and science are not my strong subjects, and I did just fine.
You may have to do a few more science and math classes if you enroll in an associate's degree level paramedic program.
I love my job! Sometimes it gets stressful, and I wouldn't think of paramedicine as the only career you will be doing. The average paramedic is only in the field for 7 years before they move on to a different career. The "burn out" rate is very high; it is hard to stay in the field long. I'm planning on becoming a PA in a few years. There are some paramedics, though, who have been working in the field for 15-20 years, and they have no problems.
It's a matter of how well you as a person handle stress. The hours are long; I work 24 hours straight, and then I'm off for two days. And the pay can really vary, depending on what state you work in. Despite all the challenges, I couldn't imagine doing anything else right now, though!
Hope this helps!

Answer 2

Being A Paramedic

Answer 3

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RE:
being a paramedic?
Anyone who is a paramedic i like to know a. how hard is it to become a paramedic , whats the schooling like ? Does it involve alot of math science etc? and do you like the job?

Answer 4

if you have a high school diploma or a GED you are eligible to take a courses to become a paramedic. this is usually 2 years. the work can be pretty stressful. you definitely need to have a strong stomach, you might get victims in car crashes and you will see things that are unpleasant. you will probably have people die on you when your on the job long enough. you cannot save everybody. i love my job i can help and save people everyday, the job is extremely rewarding. you will be taking more science and math classes. the courses will usually involve human physiology and biology. i am a sucky mathematician and i scored fine on that test, so don't worry too much on math. I absolutely love my job, i would do it for free, helping people is what i do best and that is rewarding enough. i would not trade it for anything in the world.

Answer 5

If a nurse smoked in uniform by most hospitals today, she/he could expect to be fired regardless of a union. If a nursing student wants to remain in the program, they will abide by the rules the hospitals they do their clinicals in. If not, they will be dismissed from the program. It is also not legal to smoke in some areas like the grounds of a hospital. You employer can also set rules about smoking in uniform in the public and you will not be able to sue. So get over smoking being legal crap. Patients also have rights and expectations of those providing care. I doubt if you are going to see a doctor smoking outside of a patient's room. This hospital would also have every right to terminate the contract with this ambulance service for unprofessional behavior regardless of the smoking . They would not want their patients to be subject to outbursts of cussing if the patient couldn't tolerate the stench of these two and commented on it while in the back of the ambulance. The nurses and doctors who do smoke understand the words discretion and professioalism. They do not smoke in uniform in plain public view at the hospital nor to they cuss out passerbys who might comment about their smoking when they are wearing a uniform. This shows these two Paramedics have absolutely ZERO respect for their company, their profession the public or their patients,. If the ambulance service can not fire these two idiots for smoking while in uniform in public, the outburst to a citizen using profanity while on the job should definitely get them fired. No such unprofessional behavior would ever be tolerated by any other health care profession and even Paramedics should conduct themselves in a professional manner if they want to be considered as professionals. The public outburst pretty much sums up their inability to communicate to a question that they deem offensive but working with patients will get you questions or responses you may not like. These two have just given Paramedics as a profession a black eye by their very public unprofessional behavior. Smoke on your own time in your home but not on the job in plain public view and while caring for patients. Try to control your cursing if someone comments you might be smoking in an area where smoking is not allowed or where patients might be present.

Answer 6

After 16 years as a paramedic I think I can answer your quesiton. As to the first part, ho hare is it to become a medic, that depends on you. Are you willing to really try to become a medic? This isn't a job, it's who you are. I see people every day who could make it thru medical school and be physicians, but I wouldn't dare let them touch my child if they were a physician. Same thing applies to teachers and nurses. I know paramedics who I trust for medical advice much more than I do many physicians. It's the drive to care for people who call night after night for seemingly needless reasons. Can you put aside your frustrations and provide adequite care for that little old lady who smells of wet dogs at 0200 who called because she thinks she may have a fever? This is of course after you have been on a 36 hour shift and not had any sleep. Can you do that and then go to an Advanced Life Support refresher class the next day knowing that the physician teaching the class hasn't had an update for 6 years, but you MUST update every 2?(By the way, we medics at our hospital teach ACLS, BTLS,and PALS to the physicians and RN's) You know about the new drugs, but he doesn't. You must realize also that people die. When you get that call at 0630 and you find the 6 month old lying in the crib obviously dead for several hours, what will you do? Will you be able to handle the situation or will you be as torn up as the family? Ours is a very hard job. It takes someone who can handle a whole lot of stress for very little pay(usually working 2 jobs to make the difference). You must be able to think fast on your feet and know that you ARE going to be dealing with every diesease that you can think of and more. They aren't known to you beforehand because the labwork hasn't been done yet. It's up to you. Can you deal with all of this?

Answer 7

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The real question is, who the F#%@ are you to correct them? Seriously? It was none of your effing buisness and I would have told you the exact same had you said that to me. Was their smoking in any way shape or form affecting you? No, and I know that for a fact because you statied "I actually walked over" which means, you went to them. They were not in your path, so the smoke didnt bother you. Get off your high horse, get off your soap box, and mind your own damned buisness. If you want to be healthy, sweet, great on you. Dont expect everyone to follow your beliefs. As for the whole "I thought there was a rule that if you are going to nursing school or going to be a nurse, you have to be smoke free", you are completely wrong. IDK where you found that idiotic rule at, but it is 150% incorrect. Again, High Horse is not your friend, so get the hell off it.