r/NewToEMS

So I have a job offer at an IFT 5min from where I live that pays $24/hr and an offer from a private ambulance that does 911 overflow and ift that pays $21/hr but is an hour drive. I don’t want IFT but the pay and commute is so much better. I am a brand new emt haven’t worked anywhere yet. Any advice?
Context: I think I should add I am also going to be doing 2 24hour shifts a month at a rural EMS station (700 calls a year volunteer with a stipend of $5/hr + $30 a patient)
Context 2: my end goal is to work on the EMS service in my home town but they only hire paramedics and require 2 years experience.

Got the rejection email from AMR yesterday. Interviewed last week, it went well, but still a no. Heard from someone working for AMR in the same county that they were desperately looking for EMTs. Still nope. Applied to ED Tech, and a county over (6h drive away one way). Nope. I need to work 1000h to apply to Nursing School (and be competitive) but cant find a job anywhere for the life of me (in healthcare). I have some experience doing gig EMT work but thats about it.

Any advice? (I know probably not but hey, worth a shot)

I’ve been noticing how chaotic EMS schedules can get (24s, nights, rotating shifts, overtime, getting held late, etc.) and it made me curious how people actually stay consistent with training long term.

Do most of you follow some kind of structured plan, or is it more of a “train whenever you can” approach?

Also curious what kind of schedule you work and whether certain workout styles work better with EMS life.

For example:

• full body whenever possible

• upper/lower

• PPL

• just getting sessions in where you can

• no structure at all

It seems like a lot of normal fitness advice assumes people have the same schedule every week, which doesn’t really match how EMS schedules work.

After taking the NREMT 6 times and passing with it cutting off at 70 questions on the 7th, here are some tips for first time testers:

1. Read through every question thoroughly.
2. Read every answer choice, then re read the question.
3. Use process of elimination and get rid of the absurd answers.
4. Use the pt assessments and know the verbatim in correct order.
5. Take your time and don't rush
6. If you felt like you failed the exam, chances are you
   might have passed (this is a side effect).

God bless and good luck to all test takers, I strongly dislike the NREMT exam lol.

I’m premed and was thinking of taking some emt classes to get clinical hours, but I have pretty bad driving anxiety. From what I’ve been reading online it seems like I’d be expected to drive quite a bit, but I honestly don’t think I’d be capable of driving when I’m already in a high pressure situation to begin with. Whenever I have to drive my personal car to a new destination I get physically sick and sometimes my legs start to shake or my body will get extremely tense. I literally have to prepare myself mentally hours in advance.

This isn't meant as a rhetorical doom and gloom post about how bad the job market in California is. And I'm not seeking personal career advice. But I think it's time to address this. Because I'm genuinely wondering now what is realistically going to happen in the near, intermediate, and long term future. We know that the market is oversaturated with EMTs. We know that positions are becoming fewer and farther between. And it's only going to stay like this for any foreseeable future. And yet, more and more people are going to continue getting their EMT license and become licensed in the state. I know the obvious career advice is to move away. But that's not going to stop people from getting their license. And I don't blame the schools, although I do think they need to start being more honest with students nowadays about the job market. But we're coming on a year now of it being like this with no end in sight. Four years ago it would be absolutely ludicrous to suggest that your average throwaway IFT job would become a highly coveted position in this field.

What are the state and county EMS authorities going to do about this situation? Can they realistically put a limit on how many EMT licenses that can be granted per year? Are they going to have put a cap on the amount of students that EMT schools can enroll per year, which could possibly make getting into EMT school its own competitive process? Is this being looked into at any level?

I recently had a intox patient that we ended up RMAing (was a college student on campus so we could legally RMA). Before I left she pulled me really close and hugged me really tight and wouldn’t let go, then she gave me a fat kiss on my neck. I was kinda startled and laughed it off but I was very uncomfortable and didn’t know what to do (my partner didn’t see this either). Is there anyway I can avoid getting into this kinda situation again, maybe I was overly friendly with the patient or I got too close but it was just so unexpected.

Thought I’d try to switch it up from the doom posts and California questions. What do you guys pack for lunch? What’s your easy, but healthy got to option?

I know there are a lot of posts like this. Sorry to make another. I really think I did though. There was a ton I was uncertain about. At least two confirmed wrong, but certainly far more than that. It cut me off at 70. I just don't think the percentage works out.

Edit: What the hell. I passed.

Just took NREMT, I have done amazing in my class passed my final, have a 96 overall but the NREMT was a pain in the ass. I think I failed
Update: I was a negative Nancy, I passed!

(Delete if not allowed & apologies in advance)

Hi everyone,

I’m 19 (20 in September) and trying to get into EMS/fire, but I’m honestly really confused on the best path and could use advice from people actually in the field.

My original plan was:

• Get EMT certification first
• Work as an EMT for experience
• Eventually apply to fire academy or possibly medical school later (still undecided but leaning fire)

But I’m now running into FAFSA/school issues and I’m not sure what the smartest route is.

Right now, I am registered for EMS-1011 and EMS-1017 (EMT courses). These are the only in-person classes I need for EMT certification, and once completed I can take the NREMT exam.

However, I was told these EMT-only classes are NOT covered by FAFSA, meaning I would have to pay out of pocket (~$1300), which I can’t really afford right now.

I was then told that if I switch into the AAS EMS/Paramedic degree pathway and take the required general education classes, FAFSA may cover it. So now I’m trying to figure out if I should:

• Stick with EMT-only first (pay out of pocket and get it done quickly)
• OR switch into the AAS EMS degree so FAFSA can help cover school
• Then work as an EMT while finishing gen eds
• Then apply for paramedic school later

Some context:

• I already have English Comp 1, history, and math completed
• I still need English Comp 2, Psychology, Government, and a Life Skills elective
• Some EMS courses are full or say they require paramedic program admission already
• My advisor hasn’t been very helpful so far and deadlines are coming up (June 19th for paramedic program application)

I’ll also attach my program progress page so people can see what I’m working with.

Additional EMS courses I’ve been looking at:

• EMS 2103 (A&P) – recommended before or during paramedic school
• EMS 2013 – recommended before paramedic school but also says must be admitted to paramedic program (online classes)

EMS 2103 also says EMS 1324 (assessment/pharmacology) is recommended to be taken at the same time but is not required. That course is already full.

EMS 1011 is an intro class (1–2 sessions), and EMS 1017 runs August–December and is the main EMT course.

After EMS 1017, I would be eligible to take the EMT/NREMT exam.

Long-term goals:

• I want to become a firefighter (main goal)
• I also want to be physically and mentally ready for fire academy
• I’m working on rebuilding cardio/strength and overall fitness after some past health issues
• I’m also considering paramedic school after EMT experience (possibly next year or later)

I guess I’m just trying to figure out:

1. Is it better to just pay out of pocket for EMT and get experience first?
2. Or is the AAS EMS degree actually the smarter financial/educational route?
3. Do most people regret going straight into paramedic without EMT experience?
4. Is it worth taking EMS 2103/2013 now or waiting until later?
5. Is volunteering or ride-alongs worth doing right now while I decide?

I’m trying to make the smartest long-term decision, not just the fastest one, but I’m overwhelmed with mixed advice from school vs EMS/fire people.

Any honest advice is appreciated. Thank you!!!

https://preview.redd.it/4lyohp2r2x0h1.jpg?width=1828&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=cb65f3cfd13c7a2d1711e2dd9e0acb0e992eca4b

https://preview.redd.it/1panesfs2x0h1.jpg?width=1777&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=d7c6eae2c9e15467aa8c808ade70a728c7551f61

I haven't had any success getting an ift job so I got a job being an EMT and security guard at a casino. So I'm a security guard 99% of the time. But there is a posting for an EMT at Amazon that pays a few bucks more. What would be better for experience and my career? I realize they're both not ideal but it's my only options right now. And I realize this is hyper niche lol. Thanks for any advice!

I’ve been studying the past 4 months for the NREMT and I take it next week, I’m insanely stressed out because the Fire Department that hired me and payed for me to take the class will fire me, and I’ll have to pay everything back if I fail. Please, if anyone has any tips and tricks for the test/ advice on how it’s formatted please let me know!!!

To those who are applying or has gotten hired recently, how long has it been. I have applied to multiple companies all in different counties and I am starting to lose hope. I’ve always thought that EMTs are rotating in and out of the job to pursue greater things. Anyways if you guys have some recs or a company in mind that ai should apply to and I did not know about, please let me know. So far I’ve applied to ProTransport, Royal, Falcon, NorCal, Westmed, Eagle, and Bay Medic. Seriously lost all hope but I hope it turns out okay.

Curious because I really don’t know? If there are 5 stations and you fail let’s say 1 or 2? Can you still pass or is it done. If this is a fail and you would have to come and repeat do you need to do every station again or only the ones you failed?

I literally got my EMT certification less than a week ago, but I want to be and do more. My long-term goal is to be a firefighter-paramedic.

I’m not going to college after I graduate high school, because I either want to work as an EMT for a few years to gain more experience or go to paramedic school immediately. Like I am dedicated to this and this is what I want to do with my life.

My fear is that not having had worked as an EMT for a few years first would make me a bad paramedic. Do people do this, and is it true?

Hey! I'm a new EMT student in florida and I start next in a week. Got any tips?

Should I start studying ahead from now?

I'm a pretty decent college student as I just finished my second semester with good grades. Not sure how to tackle the workload for an EMS course though.

Any and all suggestions are appreciated!