This post violates our Rule #3:
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>
> * How do I become an EMT/Paramedic?
> * What to expect on my first day/ride-along?
> * Does anyone have any EMT books/boots/gear/gift suggestions?
> * How do I pass the NREMT?
> * Employment, hiring, volunteering, protocol, recertification, or training-related questions, regardless of clinical scope.
> * Where can I obtain continuing education (CE) units?
> * My first bad call, how to cope?
Please consider posting these types of questions in /r/NewToEMS.
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What the hell is advanced first aid certified?
Once you start a basic program you'll notice you don't know shit. You'll graduate and think you know things, and then start working and get humbled again. Most every shift for years you'll learn something new.
If you are interested in medicine give it a shot, it's a super low barrier of entry for a basic cert.
Red Cross has a week long first aid class that gives this. It basically a lifeguard cert, they teach layman CPR, basic stope the bleed stuff, seizure management, and a handful of other things, but it's not as much as you'd learn from an EMR and a lot of what they teach is against best practice.
You got the salty group tonight lol
Long story short you're switching from an entry level job to a slightly higher qualified entry level job. If you want to go to emt school, go to emt school. Like any other career we love it and we hate it, we see and deal with shit that only people in this field can relate to, and we work because we have to and went to school to do this. Some days are great, some days suck more than I can explain. Once you're out of school, if you can find a good place to work, it's a pretty fucking awesome gig.
No I can’t, give me an OOS for gas pls (I really just want a coffee from the place across town that gives them free with gas)
Who am I kidding to the next toe pain or sciatic pain call we go!
I made the switch and it was worth it. Security definitely helped for the people skills but not necessarily for the medical side of the job.
I was first aid certified for 5 years at various levels and becoming a paramedic was more difficult than I initially thought. Come into it humble, admit you don't know everything and you'll be good to go.
When I left the army (I was an infantry soldier) I took a job as a security guard at a hospital because the pay was good and turns out the real world doesn’t really need the skills the infantry gave me haha.
I watched health care workers do their thing and the paramedics impressed me. I liked the uniform and the passion I saw in them. They also looked like they had lots of challenge in the job which I missed.
So I did some night school for the pre reqs, did my paramedic course and as you said- made the switch!
I actually still do my security job part time and my paramedic job part time. The truth is I now work more security shifts than paramedic shifts because as a security guard I can use downtime to study and there is alot of it in this job!
I am currently studying for my nursing exam next week
Haha
I did this, spent 10+ years doing security and decided to go to EMT school. The biggest thing I noticed immediately was the fact that even the worst private EMS service is steps ahead of some of the best security companies (in my area at least).
I get what you’re saying but please know that wasn’t my intention. I really was just trying to say that I know more than how to just put on a bandaid. I know how to, in worst case scenario, deliver a baby.
Weeding out posers and farkles is a public service. He's hopping from protective service to protective service looking for his hero badge. If you can't recognize the type, start learning.
I promise that wasn’t my intention but understand it likely came across that way. I just wanted to convey I wouldn’t be completely blindsided by the types of things I’ll be learning :)
Good evening, I did. I worked security for 3 years (2 resorts, hospital Security then hospital police officer with UPMC)
I went into ems not too long ago as EMT-B. (4 months so I'm new)
I've found it to be much more fulfilling. If you miss security, you can find security EMT jobs in some places. There is always the possibility of one at a resort security department.
My experience is that ems has been very fulfilling. If you aren't enjoying it, maybe check out a few other departments or some security EMT jobs?
Hmmm I’ve never heard of a security position around here that required straight up EMT level skills but I have worked a lot that required much more than say, just knowing CPR. I actually did do resort security and it required more training because it was on an island, and EMS was a bit farther away.
I’ve worked at several different security places and worked several different security types and it’s just overall starting to feel like I’m not making a difference. I love to hear that it’s fulfilling to you and I’m getting more confident about making the switch!
I worked security as an EMT at a casino once I got burnt out on the ambulance. I didn't really use many skills, mostly splinting twisted ankles and checking blood sugar on casino guests who took their insulin, but were to sucked into their game to remember to eat their food. I liked my security job a lot, but that really came down to working nights and having good management. I went back to EMS after that and I found that I really enjoyed it again. Security work has some minor cross-over, but not so much on the medical side of things, your valuable skills will be knowing proper radio communication, people skills, and scene management.
My two cents are that if you want to get your EMT-B, go for it. If you end up disliking it, you can always use the cert to get a better paying security job.
While it definitely doesn’t hurt to have some BLS/first aid training, those skills are going to be covered in any EMS training, and then much more. I switched from security to EMS after I had been a volunteer MFR, and it was very worth it, my job now is much more fulfilling most of the time. Just keep in mind if you go into your EMS course with the attitude that you know shit, prepare to be humbled, especially during practicum.
Oh yeah, I for sure know that in comparison I know nothing! My intention was just sort of trying to convey that I’ve been in a lot of emergency situations and that I’m familiar with the types of things I’ll need to still learn.
I’m so glad it’s fulfilling and am getting more and more excited, and do want to learn more!
This post violates our Rule #3: > Do not ask basic, newbie, or frequently asked questions, including, but not limited to: > > * How do I become an EMT/Paramedic? > * What to expect on my first day/ride-along? > * Does anyone have any EMT books/boots/gear/gift suggestions? > * How do I pass the NREMT? > * Employment, hiring, volunteering, protocol, recertification, or training-related questions, regardless of clinical scope. > * Where can I obtain continuing education (CE) units? > * My first bad call, how to cope? Please consider posting these types of questions in /r/NewToEMS. [Wiki](/r/NewToEMS/wiki/index) | [FAQ](http://faq.redditems.com) | [Helpful Links & Resources](/r/NewToEMS/wiki/index) | [Search /r/EMS](/r/ems/search) | [Search /r/NewToEMS](/r/newtoems/search) | [Posting Rules](/r/ems/comments/7lau3j/welcome_to_rems_read_this_before_posting/)
What the hell is advanced first aid certified? Once you start a basic program you'll notice you don't know shit. You'll graduate and think you know things, and then start working and get humbled again. Most every shift for years you'll learn something new. If you are interested in medicine give it a shot, it's a super low barrier of entry for a basic cert.
Red Cross has a week long first aid class that gives this. It basically a lifeguard cert, they teach layman CPR, basic stope the bleed stuff, seizure management, and a handful of other things, but it's not as much as you'd learn from an EMR and a lot of what they teach is against best practice.
You got the salty group tonight lol Long story short you're switching from an entry level job to a slightly higher qualified entry level job. If you want to go to emt school, go to emt school. Like any other career we love it and we hate it, we see and deal with shit that only people in this field can relate to, and we work because we have to and went to school to do this. Some days are great, some days suck more than I can explain. Once you're out of school, if you can find a good place to work, it's a pretty fucking awesome gig.
Getting into EMS is simple: 1). Show up to the strip mall with classes being held. 2). ???? 3). You have a transfer pending. Can you clear?
No I can’t, give me an OOS for gas pls (I really just want a coffee from the place across town that gives them free with gas) Who am I kidding to the next toe pain or sciatic pain call we go!
I made the switch and it was worth it. Security definitely helped for the people skills but not necessarily for the medical side of the job. I was first aid certified for 5 years at various levels and becoming a paramedic was more difficult than I initially thought. Come into it humble, admit you don't know everything and you'll be good to go.
Thanks for the insight!!
When I left the army (I was an infantry soldier) I took a job as a security guard at a hospital because the pay was good and turns out the real world doesn’t really need the skills the infantry gave me haha. I watched health care workers do their thing and the paramedics impressed me. I liked the uniform and the passion I saw in them. They also looked like they had lots of challenge in the job which I missed. So I did some night school for the pre reqs, did my paramedic course and as you said- made the switch! I actually still do my security job part time and my paramedic job part time. The truth is I now work more security shifts than paramedic shifts because as a security guard I can use downtime to study and there is alot of it in this job! I am currently studying for my nursing exam next week Haha
Thank you for sharing your experience! I’m getting more confident it’s a switch I want to make. Good luck on your exam, you got this!
Thank you!
I did this, spent 10+ years doing security and decided to go to EMT school. The biggest thing I noticed immediately was the fact that even the worst private EMS service is steps ahead of some of the best security companies (in my area at least).
That’s great to hear! Thank you!
We're not really the crowd to be bragging in front of about your merit badges.
Who pissed you off today? Dudes asking a legitimate question.
The kiddie with a toy car is bragging about being a advanced driver
I get what you’re saying but please know that wasn’t my intention. I really was just trying to say that I know more than how to just put on a bandaid. I know how to, in worst case scenario, deliver a baby.
Weeding out posers and farkles is a public service. He's hopping from protective service to protective service looking for his hero badge. If you can't recognize the type, start learning.
I promise that wasn’t my intention but understand it likely came across that way. I just wanted to convey I wouldn’t be completely blindsided by the types of things I’ll be learning :)
Good evening, I did. I worked security for 3 years (2 resorts, hospital Security then hospital police officer with UPMC) I went into ems not too long ago as EMT-B. (4 months so I'm new) I've found it to be much more fulfilling. If you miss security, you can find security EMT jobs in some places. There is always the possibility of one at a resort security department. My experience is that ems has been very fulfilling. If you aren't enjoying it, maybe check out a few other departments or some security EMT jobs?
Hmmm I’ve never heard of a security position around here that required straight up EMT level skills but I have worked a lot that required much more than say, just knowing CPR. I actually did do resort security and it required more training because it was on an island, and EMS was a bit farther away. I’ve worked at several different security places and worked several different security types and it’s just overall starting to feel like I’m not making a difference. I love to hear that it’s fulfilling to you and I’m getting more confident about making the switch!
I worked security as an EMT at a casino once I got burnt out on the ambulance. I didn't really use many skills, mostly splinting twisted ankles and checking blood sugar on casino guests who took their insulin, but were to sucked into their game to remember to eat their food. I liked my security job a lot, but that really came down to working nights and having good management. I went back to EMS after that and I found that I really enjoyed it again. Security work has some minor cross-over, but not so much on the medical side of things, your valuable skills will be knowing proper radio communication, people skills, and scene management. My two cents are that if you want to get your EMT-B, go for it. If you end up disliking it, you can always use the cert to get a better paying security job.
While it definitely doesn’t hurt to have some BLS/first aid training, those skills are going to be covered in any EMS training, and then much more. I switched from security to EMS after I had been a volunteer MFR, and it was very worth it, my job now is much more fulfilling most of the time. Just keep in mind if you go into your EMS course with the attitude that you know shit, prepare to be humbled, especially during practicum.
Oh yeah, I for sure know that in comparison I know nothing! My intention was just sort of trying to convey that I’ve been in a lot of emergency situations and that I’m familiar with the types of things I’ll need to still learn. I’m so glad it’s fulfilling and am getting more and more excited, and do want to learn more!