u/WholeJorgenMan

Hey guys, I posted here before about being an ER tech trying to decide between paramedic and RT.

Right now I’m leaning toward RT long-term, but I’m wondering if it would actually make sense to get my paramedic first. The medic program near me is less than a year, and as a new paramedic I’d go from about $18/hour to around $29/hour, so basically a $12–15 raise pretty quickly. Not including 1.5x pay which is abundant where I work.

My thought process is that I could work as a paramedic while finishing RT prereqs and eventually RT school, instead of trying to survive financially during RT school on my current ER tech pay. I also genuinely like EMS and prehospital medicine, so it’s not like I’d hate doing it. I just don’t necessarily see paramedic as my forever career, whereas RT feels more like my long-term lane.

So basically:

- ER tech now

- Could get medic in under a year

- Make significantly more while doing RT school

- Continue getting emergency/prehospital experience

- Eventually transition into RT

I’m also considering Air Force RT because the idea of getting schooling paid for sounds appealing, and from what I understand they can also train you in things like cardiovascular tech roles too.

Does this pathway sound reasonable, or does it seem pointless to do paramedic first if RT is the end goal anyway? Curious if anyone here has done something similar or worked with people who went medic -> RT.

Thabks for any advice. This has to be one of the most friendly Reddit forums I've been on. You guys all rock.

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Hey everyone,

I’ve been looking into respiratory therapy lately and I’m genuinely interested in the field—especially the airway management, ventilators, ICU/ER crossover, and the fact that RTs seem to be pretty hands-on in critical care situations.

At the same time, I’m also in the EMS world (currently an ER tech and starting EMT training soon), and I really like the field side of things—911 calls, trauma, pre-hospital care, etc.

I was going to get my RN but I work around them all the time as an ER Tech, and I honestly like being a tech more as we actually get to do more hands on things, and are always moving & groovin'. RNs work hard too, dont get me wrong, but its way more charting and sitting, dealing with the same 4 patients, and tons of meds. For me, as a tech - I get to transport, see all the patients, wound care, blood, IVs, and so much more, so I like that. I see RTs often within the ER and they always seem very happy and always on the move, and to be honest mastering the cardiopulmonary system is awesome. That specific system within the human body has always intrest me the most!

So I guess my question is:

Has anyone here actually worked as both a respiratory therapist AND an EMT or paramedic at the same time? Or switched between them?

And realistically:

Is that even sustainable schedule-wise?

Do hospitals/employers allow dual roles like that?

Does RT experience ever translate into more field/transport-based EMS roles (like CCT or flight)?

Or is it usually one or the other long-term?

Do you feel compensated well for being an RT?

How long?

Step Up positions for RTs?

I’m trying to figure out if RT could be a good middle ground between hospital critical care and field EMS, or if they end up pulling you in totally different directions.

Would appreciate any honest experiences or advice.

Thanks in advance.

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Hey everyone,

I’m looking for some honest perspective from people who’ve actually been in the field and seen where this career can go long-term. I’d really appreciate any feedback, advice or the like.

Right now I’m trying to figure out my path, and I feel a bit torn. For a while, I had this idea in my head that the “pinnacle” of being a paramedic was flight, and I put a lot of weight on that identity. But lately I’ve been rethinking things. I’m realizing I don’t really care about chasing an image anymore—I just want a life where I’m healthy, fulfilled, and doing meaningful work.

What I’m actually drawn to is a mix of:

* Using my brain (learning, thinking, maybe even research-related work)

* Still having some level of field work or hands-on medicine

* I cherish the outdoors, but that is more of my own passion in itself

* Opportunities to do something unique, like remote/expedition medicine (Antarctica-type roles, research stations, oil rigs, mining sites, etc.) VERY interested in this as I love learning and geeking out on science

* Not being stuck doing the exact same thing forever (like running 911 for 30 years straight)

I’ve seen examples of people working in remote environments where they’re part of a research team, doing some clinic work but also going out into the field, and that honestly looks like an awesome balance.

So my question is:

From your experience, is the paramedic route a good foundation for that kind of career? Or does it tend to box you into prehospital roles long-term?

Would going the nursing route (and maybe aiming for ICU/ER experience) open more doors for things like expedition medicine, research environments, or international work?

I’m not afraid of hard work or putting in years to build toward something—I just want to make sure I’m not unintentionally limiting myself early on. The fear of choosing the wrong path has been on my mind lately

If anyone here has:

* Transitioned out of traditional EMS into something more unique

* Worked remote/contract/expedition-type jobs

* Or seen how medics vs nurses are viewed in those environments

I’d really appreciate your insight.

Thanks in advance.