Need some help: paramedics and EMT please answer!?

Question

I was wondering about paramedics and EMT. The hours, conditions, pay and relationship to people and anything else you can tell me! Thanks a bunch. I am seriously considering this as a career

Answer 1

I've been an EMT in a busy city for four years now, and i'm in school for Paramedic. It's been a positive experience thus far, otherwise I probably would have already left for a different field. The Pros: you're not stuck behind a desk, it's a fulfilling and respectable job, you get to help and interact with people, and your "how was your day at work?" answers are going to be more interesting.
The Cons: You're not going to get rich from it (especially EMT's, EMT pay is LOW), many people burn out, overnight shifts, and if it's two minutes before punch-out time and a call comes in, you gotta take it.
My advice is to go to RN school if you can afford to. Their pay is great, you have lots of choices when you finish school, and most of the good things about being a paramedic applies to RN's, depending on what type you work as.

Answer 2

Like Robert B, I say if you have that much interest in health care, be an RN. You can go much farther and be better paid than as an EMT or Para.

Answer 3

I am an RN please join us we need good people; the money is good to! Pick your hours, 45-60 thousand a year; any city, many different specialties and the time of your life!

Answer 4

I was a Paramedic about thirty years ago... I worked twelve on twelve off. The pay was decent, but the burnout rate was incredibly high. I dunno. Maybe things have changed. Alot will depend on for whom you work.