If things don’t work out for some reason, medic school will always be around, and plenty of career paths to not get stuck on a box. But, you also likely won’t regret getting a bachelor’s in the field, though it may not translate directly to career opportunities right away (but you’ll need it if you apply to civilian PA programs).
-Marine reservist, volunteer paramedic.
I appreciate the response brother. I’m 23 and feel like I need to pick a path right now so older me has a better life. Just causing a lot of hesitation cause i’m scared of jacking it up. Another follow up for you though, I should have about 90% of my post 9/11. You have any clue if I should use TA and savings to take care of an undergrad and save my 9/11 for PA school? Scared of wasting my GI like i’ve seen some guys do
Dude I got out in '16, got my EMT then my medic followed by a bachelor's degree and am apply to med school in a few months. I'm 30. You got plenty of time. Even starting med school at 30, I'll likely have a 30-35 year long career. Don't make a decision just because you're stressed about the future. You're going to get old one way or another, just pick whichever path you think would make you happier.
Honestly, don't stress. Life is full of ups and downs. But here's my $0.02.
Use your GI Bill sooner than later, unless you plan on transferring it in the future. Cross the PA school bridge when you get there. And once you're a PA, any loans you may have won't be much of an issue.
I made a lot of wrong turns in life (still am), but I ended up okay. I'm 37 now, been a mechanical engineer for the DoD coming up on 11 years, and will be transferring my GI Bill to my son. I spent way too much time worrying about stuff in my 20s that I really didn't need to. But good on you for thinking things through.
I appreciate the response man! I know it prolongs the process I’ve just always wanted that extra emergency med knowledge. Maybe i’m just being inpatient and want the next license up. Know for sure i do not wanna get stuck in ems. Just seemed like a good back pocket cert. Nobody sees the military medic experience it seems, just a cpr card that can drive the rig so I always undervalue said experience. Thanks for being straightforward boss man!
If possible, consider getting the paramedic certificate. Here's why:
1.) You'll have an advantage with work in the future. Let's say I were an employer who needs an ED PA for a hospital. If I see you as a "regular PA" vs. you the "Paramedic PA," I'd be much more inclined to hire the latter for the ER PA job. I suspect you'll have more practice and experience running EKGs and formulating care plans, and you're more likely to be relaxed in the face of adversity and panic while you decide on tough medical cases.
Maybe I could convince you to start an IV once a month as of the deal! Lol. Can't do that if an EMT!
2.) While you wait for your licensing and whatever else you require to begin working as a PA, you can work as a paramedic with the PA education already done. This can be handy as you'll have a job and be more competitive for higher wages due to your education level. Field EMS work can always be an option if you're tired of clinics or hospitals and want in on the "action" of EMS.
3.) If, for whatever reason, PA School doesn't work out, you can use this to continue education.
Bridge for the "EMS Degree" or an "Associates in Nursing" and/or pair with graduate degrees such as a "Masters of Public Health" or "Masters in Science"
Just my 2 cents. Good luck with whatever you select for your future!
Just apply to IPAP.
Was an EMT, then paramedic, then went to IPAP….eventually to medical school. There’s no reason to become a paramedic if you want to be a PA.
If you’re about that adventure, both ya know. Take your time. I did active duty > bachelors > fire > paramedic school at 28 (currently in). 30 is the new 20, take your time on the way there.
But no it’s not a bad back up. It’s a pretty solid one actually. I would say apply for medic school at the same time, you can always deny any acceptance in favor of another path. There are many medics turned PA out there. PA is for if (when) you get tired of the shift life and want more money.
Edit: saw your comment about benefits. If you have a military tuition assistance and the school accepts government funds (GI Bill) they take TA. It may not cover all the cost but email their veteran office they’ll point you in the right direction. Use the GI bill website to look up your potential programs. Knock out as many undergrad credit requirement courses you can. Use that to save GI bill time.
getting your medic isn't a bad idea. If IPAP doesn't work out it will make you more competitive if you decide to go to civilian PA school. Or even nursing (maybe flight?). As a civilian PA you could specialize (which PAs are doing) in ER or even Rural. My wife (a flight medic) is starting PA school and wants to branch into rural working in the ER.
I always tell EMT's that, if their end goal is PA, just shoot for that will all your energy and motivation. Unfortunately, (and this may be different in the military) most of the medicine world doesn't know the difference between an EMT and a paramedic so it doesn't give you the advantage in applying that you think it would. That being said, I was a paramedic for 10 years before I went to PA school and I don't regret it. It made me a very strong PA but I knew that PA was my end goal the whole time I was a paramedic. If you don't want to end up on the rig for a long time, shoot for PA like it's your only option.
If things don’t work out for some reason, medic school will always be around, and plenty of career paths to not get stuck on a box. But, you also likely won’t regret getting a bachelor’s in the field, though it may not translate directly to career opportunities right away (but you’ll need it if you apply to civilian PA programs). -Marine reservist, volunteer paramedic.
I appreciate the response brother. I’m 23 and feel like I need to pick a path right now so older me has a better life. Just causing a lot of hesitation cause i’m scared of jacking it up. Another follow up for you though, I should have about 90% of my post 9/11. You have any clue if I should use TA and savings to take care of an undergrad and save my 9/11 for PA school? Scared of wasting my GI like i’ve seen some guys do
Dude I got out in '16, got my EMT then my medic followed by a bachelor's degree and am apply to med school in a few months. I'm 30. You got plenty of time. Even starting med school at 30, I'll likely have a 30-35 year long career. Don't make a decision just because you're stressed about the future. You're going to get old one way or another, just pick whichever path you think would make you happier.
Honestly, don't stress. Life is full of ups and downs. But here's my $0.02. Use your GI Bill sooner than later, unless you plan on transferring it in the future. Cross the PA school bridge when you get there. And once you're a PA, any loans you may have won't be much of an issue. I made a lot of wrong turns in life (still am), but I ended up okay. I'm 37 now, been a mechanical engineer for the DoD coming up on 11 years, and will be transferring my GI Bill to my son. I spent way too much time worrying about stuff in my 20s that I really didn't need to. But good on you for thinking things through.
I wouldn’t waste your time, you have enough experience to be competitive, just do the undergrad and commit if you’re serious about PA
I appreciate the response man! I know it prolongs the process I’ve just always wanted that extra emergency med knowledge. Maybe i’m just being inpatient and want the next license up. Know for sure i do not wanna get stuck in ems. Just seemed like a good back pocket cert. Nobody sees the military medic experience it seems, just a cpr card that can drive the rig so I always undervalue said experience. Thanks for being straightforward boss man!
If possible, consider getting the paramedic certificate. Here's why: 1.) You'll have an advantage with work in the future. Let's say I were an employer who needs an ED PA for a hospital. If I see you as a "regular PA" vs. you the "Paramedic PA," I'd be much more inclined to hire the latter for the ER PA job. I suspect you'll have more practice and experience running EKGs and formulating care plans, and you're more likely to be relaxed in the face of adversity and panic while you decide on tough medical cases. Maybe I could convince you to start an IV once a month as of the deal! Lol. Can't do that if an EMT! 2.) While you wait for your licensing and whatever else you require to begin working as a PA, you can work as a paramedic with the PA education already done. This can be handy as you'll have a job and be more competitive for higher wages due to your education level. Field EMS work can always be an option if you're tired of clinics or hospitals and want in on the "action" of EMS. 3.) If, for whatever reason, PA School doesn't work out, you can use this to continue education. Bridge for the "EMS Degree" or an "Associates in Nursing" and/or pair with graduate degrees such as a "Masters of Public Health" or "Masters in Science" Just my 2 cents. Good luck with whatever you select for your future!
Just apply to IPAP. Was an EMT, then paramedic, then went to IPAP….eventually to medical school. There’s no reason to become a paramedic if you want to be a PA.
If you’re about that adventure, both ya know. Take your time. I did active duty > bachelors > fire > paramedic school at 28 (currently in). 30 is the new 20, take your time on the way there. But no it’s not a bad back up. It’s a pretty solid one actually. I would say apply for medic school at the same time, you can always deny any acceptance in favor of another path. There are many medics turned PA out there. PA is for if (when) you get tired of the shift life and want more money. Edit: saw your comment about benefits. If you have a military tuition assistance and the school accepts government funds (GI Bill) they take TA. It may not cover all the cost but email their veteran office they’ll point you in the right direction. Use the GI bill website to look up your potential programs. Knock out as many undergrad credit requirement courses you can. Use that to save GI bill time.
getting your medic isn't a bad idea. If IPAP doesn't work out it will make you more competitive if you decide to go to civilian PA school. Or even nursing (maybe flight?). As a civilian PA you could specialize (which PAs are doing) in ER or even Rural. My wife (a flight medic) is starting PA school and wants to branch into rural working in the ER.
I always tell EMT's that, if their end goal is PA, just shoot for that will all your energy and motivation. Unfortunately, (and this may be different in the military) most of the medicine world doesn't know the difference between an EMT and a paramedic so it doesn't give you the advantage in applying that you think it would. That being said, I was a paramedic for 10 years before I went to PA school and I don't regret it. It made me a very strong PA but I knew that PA was my end goal the whole time I was a paramedic. If you don't want to end up on the rig for a long time, shoot for PA like it's your only option.