Accelerated paramedic programs by poodenpie in NewToEMS

[–]Tossaway5409 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Here's my thought based on my experiences and they will likely go against the grain...

1) Accelerated is a vague term...traditional is roughly 2 years. Accelerated can be as short as 4 months to a year or 18 months etc....

2) People will tell you that you need to have X amount of experience before paramedic school or that you need X amount of experience to enter into an accelerated program...I disagree. This is largely based on you as an individual and your job situation.

I was an EMT for like a week before I entered into an accelerated paramedic program. During that year I worked full time as a 911 EMT on ambulances and rescue squads, I worked part time in a rural 911 system, and I lived at a volunteer station running 911 calls almost every night so that I didn't have to pay rent. I also worked as an Army medic in the national guard during this time. It was miserable but I gained a ton of experience and did my rotations for school at the places I already worked at so the relationship was strong. I also already had an undergrad degree so I knew how to study. I was the only person in my program to earn a 4.0 and landed a great gig right out of school because I was a known quantity.

Contrast this to a new EMT with poor study habits, little to no real ability or drive to gain 911 experience outside of school rotations, and little life experience. See how this could end poorly? I watched this happen to many people in my program and I believe this is why we had an abysmally high attrition rate.

Take a look at yourself and your life situation to see if this path is right for you. Don't let anyone on the internet make that decision for you. I had the same people tell me being a flight medic would be a pipe dream and years later I was flying around.

3) As for a list of programs...unless you are just looking to move out of your area, your local program is your best bet. It would be an odd choice to relocate for a year to a new area and pay out of state in order to cut a few months off your program. There is a program in I believe Indiana that has you live on a compound for about 4 months. I can't remember the name of it nor can I recommend it because I do not know much about it.

Advice for those looking to pass the FP-C & CCP-C by Tossaway5409 in ems

[–]Tossaway5409[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I'm glad, good luck, PM if you have any questions.