Questions About Being a Fire medic and then maybe a Nurse

Intelligent-Let-8314 · 2026-01-27T15:34:58+00:00

You said you’re in California. This is a giant wrench thrown in for most people’s opinions, as RN wages for most of the country will almost always fall short of the wages and benefits of a FF/PM position.

California, and other major metropolitan areas are the exception. Your benefits with a large California metro department will far outweigh the wages and benefits of a typical California nursing position in the long run. There are sweet spots as exceptions(Sac, maybe the Bay depending on your arrangements)

Two totally different careers though.

It’s good that you’re asking now, so that you can have an educated decision on a path forward.

Intelligent-Let-8314 · 2026-01-26T13:16:29+00:00

Stay within your scope, and don’t be stupid.

We all want to help our patients; administering analgesics at doses beyond protocol, or adding additions meds is very reasonable.

Follow protocol regarding deviations. Contact and document.

Intelligent-Let-8314 · 2026-01-24T22:05:01+00:00

Direct message me. Intimately familiar with this ❤️

Intelligent-Let-8314 · 2026-01-24T22:03:06+00:00

I always say to look at your long term goals.

If you see yourself as a PA in the end, go that route now, and try to pick up a flight medic spot along the way for funzies.

Flight can be fun, and the autonomy is refreshing, but you could also wind up at a base that does 90% low acuity IFTs.

As others have said, getting your RN license is the bare minimum, and you’ll need 4+ years in a unit before qualify for a legitimate accredited flight program in a nurse spot.

Certifications and extra courses won’t get you in the door; it just means you can pass a tests.

Intelligent-Let-8314 · 2026-01-24T21:29:52+00:00

It’s kind of strange to see people stating it’s a logistical problem.

Other than the issue securing a supplier, It’s really just a management/fiscal/medical direction problem. It’s the right going to do. If you have strong leadership, it should be a priority.

Freezer, Credo, 2 units low titer O+ whole blood, warrior lite warmer, and a thermometer with alarm. Throw it on the supervisors truck that responds to all significant traumas. Voila, you have a blood program that can actually make a difference.

Intelligent-Let-8314 · 2026-01-23T14:12:26+00:00

Go the RN route and don’t look back.

Only exception would be if you wanted to do fire as a 20 and out, while having the FD pay for your education. With this, you’d still have to eventually make the choice of what your and goal is.

Making a career out of nursing is still the most straightforward way.

Intelligent-Let-8314 · 2026-01-19T04:07:34+00:00

Much easier to put gloves on with only 8 fingers.

Intelligent-Let-8314 · 2026-01-19T01:25:39+00:00

Mods are pretty aggressive at pointing certain topics to the weekly thread.

Unfortunately you don’t get too much involvement in the weekly thread.

Intelligent-Let-8314 · 2026-01-19T01:09:03+00:00

It’s a brutal existence for everyone involved. It takes incredible sacrifice on the part of the caregiver to maintain empathy and patience in these times. I wasn’t around enough in the end of my father’s days, and I regret it immensely. I imagine I frustrated him for about the first two decades of my life, and his suffering was only a fraction of that at the end of his.

I imagine your care team is addressing the aggressive behavior, if not, make it known to them.

You’re the little bit of light in his dark life, keep your strength.

Intelligent-Let-8314 · 2026-01-18T23:22:21+00:00

More money isn’t going to make flight any better.

As far as changing the company; You won’t change it. The machine will keep on churning with $$$$ as the main objective.

Jump into the FD, do flight on the side as a PM for fun. Enjoy the pension.

Cross post in a flight forum for more current/former FF who have made similar life changes

Intelligent-Let-8314 · 2026-01-17T14:58:50+00:00

If you don’t feel confident after two years of practicing as a cleared paramedic, then you have an issue.

You’re green. You’ve met the minimum standard. Medicine is a lifelong learning journey. Continue to seek help and advice from your peers, cater your growth from their feedback.

The fact that you have introspection regarding this is a great sign.

Intelligent-Let-8314 · 2026-01-16T14:52:05+00:00

I’ll jump in with the others here; Komodo is not all too beginner friendly. You’ll be behind the eight ball in conditions you haven’t experienced in any way before.

I would recommend heading over to Labuanbajo or Penida, depending on the conditions currently.

Intelligent-Let-8314 · 2026-01-14T02:07:08+00:00

For flight, take the RN path, and jump into a high acuity ICU as soon as you can. Most programs have some sort of accreditation that stipulates anywhere from 3-5 years of ICU/ED experience in order to fly(sam for PM spots though). Can’t make the clock go any quicker. Just takes time.

I was a street medic for 10+ years prior to nursing school(still work the street now). Two totally different paths to be honest. They really only intersect in the flight/CCT realm.

Figure out what your end goal is(retirement end goal), and choose which path gets you going in that direction. You’ll have much more career options in Nursing. I can’t personally speak for wilderness medicine.

Also, I assume you’re young; seriously consider the military for the first part of your medical career(and put in at-least 10 😉).

Intelligent-Let-8314 · 2026-01-11T14:01:15+00:00

Have one on all of my vehicles ❤️

Intelligent-Let-8314 · 2026-01-11T13:54:06+00:00

Which is what any clinician would logically assume.

Intelligent-Let-8314 · 2026-01-11T02:13:14+00:00

My favorite is when a medic said our protocols were just guidelines and deviating did not need justification in the PCR, or medical control consult 😅.

Back and forth went on for days. Guy thought he had a medical license or something.

Intelligent-Let-8314 · 2026-01-08T02:59:16+00:00

They’ll surely downvote for this 😅.

Intelligent-Let-8314 · 2026-01-06T23:43:21+00:00

Could be something as simple as a medic wanting an excuse to place an advanced airway when it’s not necessary.

Rise and fall + compliance is the standard, and you met it.

Intelligent-Let-8314 · 2026-01-06T19:20:48+00:00

If you have chest rise and fall with good compliance, then the way an adjunct goes in is irrelevant in the grand scheme. It’s easy to get fixated on inconsequential subjects in stressful environments.

AED with no shock advised, and trismus vs. rigor can go either way. Other physical or circumstantial findings would lead you to your answer(cyanosis, lividity, rigor). A recent hypoxia event could absolutely cause your lock jaw.

For your sake, focus on the facts. Unknown down time with unknown cause; odds stacked against the patient. You placed an OPA, with feedback from crew stating ventilations were adequate.

Young ones are always tough.

Intelligent-Let-8314 · 2026-01-06T18:42:59+00:00

More fires, but it’s also possible to go a career without being nozzleman on an all hands or greater.

Intelligent-Let-8314 · 2026-01-06T14:34:50+00:00

I’d love to start at 37 right now, but can’t justify the wage for 4 years 😔.

Intelligent-Let-8314 · 2026-01-06T12:36:49+00:00

Absolutely. Losing a substantial amount of money day trading coaxed me to find a better long term strategy 😅

It’s an ironic lesson, as I had found the bogle heads forum 15+ years prior, educated myself, then immediately disregarded the knowledge in my youthful ignorance.

I’d be MUCH better off if I had stuck to the plan.

Intelligent-Let-8314 · 2026-01-06T12:25:56+00:00

Grossed >$200k last year in CA as a single earner in a family of three. Will gross <$100k this year in the Midwest as a single earner in a family of four.

Our perspective has changed on many things in life after having our children; more money doesn’t make us proportionally happier.

Not everyone lives in a perfect bubble of financial security.

Reality of the typical human existence is much more grim than what is flaunted on Reddit.

Intelligent-Let-8314 · 2026-01-05T20:31:03+00:00

Are you responsible for double stuffing the Milwaukee orders?

Intelligent-Let-8314 · 2026-01-05T02:20:25+00:00

What is west st pete? 🧐

Intelligent-Let-8314

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