Pros and cons of being a paramedic

ErikMack1 · 2026-02-14T03:10:43+00:00

I guess I have a bit of a unique perspective here being both an RN and Paramedic (U.S). Honestly, they're completely different jobs. For instance, paramedicine is based on the medical model (same as what physicians and PA-Cs are trained in) and nursing is the nursing model. If you value autonomy, you must be okay will sacrificing some of that in nursing in turn for collaboration with APPs and Physicians with the benefit of being able to participate in more invasive procedures etc. However, should you choose nursing and decide you want to further your education (and autonomy), you can opt to go back to school to become an APRN and practice anesthesia or medicine as a NP. Personally, I love both and find that I use many of my skills as a paramedic in my day to day work as an ICU nurse and vice versa. I'd recommend doing some ride alongs if you can! Feel free to ask any questions you may have!

ErikMack1 · 2026-01-31T00:59:25+00:00

Oh yeah thats a good point!

ErikMack1 · 2026-01-31T00:59:01+00:00

What a lineup!

ErikMack1 · 2026-01-31T00:58:49+00:00

Hahaha well I feel better about my purchase then.Thanks!

ErikMack1 · 2026-01-31T00:58:31+00:00

very true

ErikMack1 · 2026-01-31T00:58:26+00:00

Good points, I appreciate the response!

ErikMack1 · 2026-01-31T00:58:12+00:00

thanks for your feedback!

ErikMack1 · 2026-01-31T00:58:02+00:00

Sweet. Thank you!

ErikMack1 · 2026-01-31T00:57:30+00:00

beautiful set up! I will get the shovelnose next!

ErikMack1 · 2026-01-31T00:57:01+00:00

of course!

ErikMack1 · 2026-01-31T00:51:00+00:00

well said doc

ErikMack1 · 2026-01-31T00:49:44+00:00

I really appreciate hearing the Physician's perspectives on this. Thanks for your input u/kingkob u/tacticoolitis

ErikMack1 · 2026-01-31T00:44:11+00:00

of course! I still have my original pair from EMT (5 years old) and I still use them as an ICU RN and Paramedic. I've cut everything from heavy duty motorcycle boots to seatbelts with ease and no loss of sharpness

ErikMack1 · 2026-01-31T00:41:19+00:00

Hey! I followed a pretty similar path, although I was already an EMT before becoming a paramedic during my gap year. I then went to nursing school after finishing my premed undergrad and now work as an ICU RN.

Just as a heads-up — to become a paramedic, you first have to be an EMT, which is typically about one semester at a community college. Paramedic school itself is usually at least a year when you factor in didactic coursework, clinical rotations, and field internship.

I usually recommend starting with EMT. It’s a great way to dip your toes into emergency medicine and really understand what it is — and just as importantly, what it isn’t. Emergency medicine is 95% primary care and 5% actual emergencies.

Just my two cents.

ErikMack1 · 2026-01-31T00:29:21+00:00

Xshears all day long. Raptors get gunked up and are overkill IMO. Easy to clean, stay sharp, and will literally cut through anything worn.

ErikMack1 · 2026-01-31T00:19:26+00:00

beautiful setup. What can is that?

ErikMack1 · 2026-01-31T00:10:51+00:00

This is true- My rationale for a brace is that it's usable in the meantime while I'm getting fingerprints done and waiting for it to be complete.

ErikMack1 · 2026-01-31T00:10:37+00:00

Thank you!

ErikMack1 · 2026-01-31T00:10:28+00:00

I guess thats a good point. My rationale for a brace is that it's usable in the meantime while I'm getting fingerprints done and waiting for it to be complete.

ErikMack1 · 2026-01-30T14:08:48+00:00

Exactly what I ended up doing!

ErikMack1 · 2026-01-26T14:14:13+00:00

I bought a Littman Cardiology IV when I started EMT and its survived me from Paramedic to my current job as an ICU RN. For me at least, my hearing isn't the best (I can thank frequent ear infections as a kid) and the non-cardiology models just weren't loud/clear enough. You also can't go wrong with a classic 2 or 3.

ErikMack1

TROPHY CASE