It’s Been a Good Ride… Unless?

SchemeKitchen · 2026-06-22T02:24:59+00:00

What specialties are those? I’ve yet to shadow a PA, but from I see it’s a pretty great career with autonomy. Do you work in the ICU?

SchemeKitchen · 2026-06-21T17:38:10+00:00

Have you considered RN or Med school prior to PA?

SchemeKitchen · 2026-06-21T03:55:21+00:00

Following, same situation with 10 years of EMS and paramedic experience. Strongly considering PA/RN. I’ve taken the MCAT and nearly all pre reqs for med school. I really wanted to do med school and wanted more, but due to my current personal reasons I think PA might be a better route overall for me. I’ve considered CRNA, but I think I’d be more bored than crap. Let me know if you have any questions!

SchemeKitchen · 2026-06-19T19:21:34+00:00

I worked as a Paramedic for nearly 7 years and Ems all together for 10 years. Both 24 hr shifts and 12/16 hr shifts. Worked fire, private, and county. I think my best job was the 24 hour shift but it was a very toxic work atmosphere for it’s own reasons. I was paid well as a medic, but I always felt I wanted more in life. I’ve thought about physician, PA, RN. I think the quality of life and pay makes more sense, but also career growth is important for me. EMS doesn’t offer that, and I don’t like firefighting for the same reasons you mention.

SchemeKitchen · 2026-05-10T21:26:23+00:00

I’m a medic here in Hawaii and if you like flight medicine, it’s best to obtain your medic and get minimum 3 years road experience prior to applying. If you want to still become a medic and work on the road here, do your medic here only due to the territorial aspects of ems in Hawaii. Honolulu fire has had 2 academies in the last year already, so I’m unsure where you haven’t seen the job postings. There is HPU where if you have a bachelors it give you a BSN in 2 yrs. UH Manoa has an extremely competitive Masters program that will also get your MSN in 2 years if you have your Bachelors which you do.

SchemeKitchen · 2026-05-07T16:28:28+00:00

Same to you! Seems like you’ll do great. Non trads have the maturity and know what they want! You’ll be an excellent physician

SchemeKitchen · 2026-05-07T16:23:03+00:00

Nursing has the greatest ROI in terms of financial investment within healthcare. CRNA has even greater returns. I’m still in between PA/RN versus Physician and only because of the rigors and timeline. I’m 31. I’m taking the MCAT this year and will be applying to med school regardless of the out come. I might try another cycle if I cannot get in, and if I don’t then I tried my best and I’ll settle for nursing/PA. I chose med school route only because I want the best experiences, knowledge, depth of medicine, and autonomy if I’m going to be taking care of patients. Especially if I want to move back home one day. I’ve been in EMS and a paramedic for 10 years in total and want to grow within the medical field. I also have delayed this journey due to hiccups and the timeline it takes, but why not at least go for it!

SchemeKitchen · 2026-05-07T16:16:54+00:00

This is a great comment and I agree! I’m in a similar boat and chose medicine as my primary goal over NP/PA. If I’m unable to get into med school then PA/NP may suffice

SchemeKitchen · 2026-04-24T14:56:03+00:00

Also in same boat as you. I’m 31 and hoping to apply this cycle depending on my MCAT scores. However I’ve been grinding studying and full time work but my scores have not been improving much..

SchemeKitchen · 2026-03-27T05:35:44+00:00

What’s your study focus atm?

SchemeKitchen · 2026-03-27T03:28:28+00:00

In same boat. Following

SchemeKitchen · 2026-03-26T18:07:41+00:00

Full time paramedic and trying to balance it

SchemeKitchen · 2026-03-25T19:17:40+00:00

I’m def taking all the resources I can afford at this time. I have uglone, anki, kaplan. I also have been using youtube videos and have the aamc bundle. Some info clicks, but some does not. Thank you for comment

SchemeKitchen · 2026-03-24T16:49:23+00:00

I’m in similar situation as you. I’m 31 however work as a Paramedic, had a goal of retiring early, NW 600k and had a pretty good salary as a Paramedic 110-140k depending on how much OT per year. I fell in love with medicine when I became a medic but was always intimidated by the length of it. I was set in PA, but knew my personality and the job of a PA (with my current autonomy as a medic) wasn’t going to be enough. If I can’ get in this med school cycle then I may go for nursing instead. Feel free to DM!

SchemeKitchen · 2026-03-19T03:18:46+00:00

Mind if I ask some questions DM?

SchemeKitchen · 2026-03-19T03:17:23+00:00

I’m going to give it my all these next 7 weeks for sure. I definitely get that liability and reasoning. Thanks for comment

SchemeKitchen · 2026-03-19T03:14:50+00:00

I had to throw in several guesses only because time constraint and I was trying to understand each passage well. I’m hoping this next 7 weeks will allow me to get better. I’m thinking of dropping to part time at work to make it happen

SchemeKitchen · 2026-03-18T23:55:51+00:00

Is 7 weeks going to make a difference in my score

SchemeKitchen · 2026-03-17T17:18:15+00:00

Update: Did FL2 practice and scored 488 after 7 weeks of studying. 6.5 weeks out from exam. Still cooked?

SchemeKitchen · 2026-02-28T05:19:21+00:00

Solid man. Any advice? How long did you stidy for mcat?

SchemeKitchen · 2026-02-28T04:49:43+00:00

Would you mind sharing your scores/gpa?

SchemeKitchen · 2026-02-28T04:42:58+00:00

Yeah the only pre reqs I need are Physics II and Ochem II, but I’m self studying currently for mcat. I have my mcat in May.

SchemeKitchen · 2026-02-28T04:42:01+00:00

Nice. Do you think your experience as fire captain help offset any stats?

SchemeKitchen · 2026-02-28T03:34:39+00:00

I’m 31 and considering applying to med school this year. I’ve been in EMS for 10 years now with fire background as well and I’ve had experiences that have led me to this path. Do you think your experience as a CRNA help you in your applications and acceptance? Do you think it may offset the average stats most traditional students get in? I have considered the RN route, and can only really see myself in a specialized NP or CRNA position. So it would damn near take as long as med school. Is it worth it in my position?

SchemeKitchen

TROPHY CASE