paramedic- good career?

[mikeffd]

I was considering being a firefighter, but i've since found out it's impossible to get into.. and one of the best ways to move into this profession is to be a paramedic/emt first.

Does anyone here do it? If so what can you say about the job.. i.e pros and cons, etc.

 

[stinkynuts]

http://www1.on.hrdc-drhc.gc.ca/ojf.jsp?lang=e&section=Profile&noc=3234

Check out the link above for some detailed info on the profession.

Salary = high (>50k/year)
Job Prospects: Excellent
Training: 2 year college diploma

Good luck!

 

[Edifice]

Have you ever seen the movie "Bringing Out The Dead"?

 

[RTRD]

Wow...

http://www1.on.hrdc-drhc.gc.ca/ojf.jsp?lang=e&section=Profile&noc=3234

Check out the link above for some detailed info on the profession.

Salary = high (>50k/year)
Job Prospects: Excellent
Training: 2 year college diploma

Good luck!

..50K is pretty good. Much higher than what is typical in the U.S....

 

[racemedic]

Is it a good career.....YES. Is it easy .......NO. Remember as a paramedic you see a lot of bad things (child abuse, elder abuse, car accidents etc) the emotional toll it takes is enormous.

Also finding a job is hard, this year there are approx 500 graduating students and only 150 jobs available. Now these numbers are Ontario wide. If you are willing to travel try in Alberta or B.C.

 

[freshbreath]

I'm sure if you were willing to move somewhere remote, you could pull down a lot of money
and do some good at the same time

 

[party_guy49]

I was considering being a firefighter, but i've since found out it's impossible to get into.. and one of the best ways to move into this profession is to be a paramedic/emt first.

Does anyone here do it? If so what can you say about the job.. i.e pros and cons, etc.

My cousin is a 'Medic and it is alot tougher than the stats say. You would need to maintain grades in the >90% range to graduate out of the college program after that you will spend years working for less than the standard wage as you will be working with private companies until you get experience to get hired on with a city. Kinda like working as a volunteer firefighter but a little more pay.

 

[frankcastle]

I imagine the hours might be tough especially working the night shift.

Also, it's probably emotionally draining dealing with injured and distraught people and their families.

I think the important part is could you see yourself doing this for a long period of time? Do you have an interest for this type of work? Are you a people person? Can you deal with stress? Are you calm? Can you deal with blood and guts, things could get pretty gruesome? Are you good at remembering things? Can you think well underpressure? Can you work quickly?

I mean if you're not interested in the job you will become bored of it. And if you don't have the skills/personality for the job you will find it difficult.

Probably a rewarding job at the end of the day, helping people.

 

[ducttape]

There are very few old paramedics. The back goes, or the knees go, or they just get sick of seeing all the scheisse...

 

[goodtime]

i have a friend who worked as a paramedic before becoming a nurse.....all i can say is that you better have a really strong stomach....some of the things she had to do was pick up the arms, and legs and even brain tissue when the person was involved in an accident

Ditto. Picking up body parts from traffic accident are sh*ty part of the job.

What's frustrating are amount of time waiting in hospital wing for patient to be admitted. With hospital cut-back & shortage of beds, a lot of time wasted jockeying patients between hospital with refuse admittance or transfers.

If station downtown, some under-priv. calls 911 for hospital transport.

I understand not many opps are open to paramedics, as they are lower on the pecking order, at least according to GTA paramedic gang I hang out with. Few got the offered but it's rare, rather than norm.

Off-topic, for a list of U.S. job growth & salary,
http://money.cnn.com/magazines/moneymag/bestjobs/other_jobs/index.html

 

[healer677]

All things considered -being a paramedic doesn't pay enough. Plus the career itself and there are often long hiring freezes in the job.
So if you graduate during a hiring freeze, you're screwed.

All in all -nursing is a better job. More money, more options, more women and an almost guaranteed job anywhere. And if you're a guy- a huge plus.

 

[stinkynuts]

It seems like male nurses are always committing crimes like poisoning patients. Plus, have you seen "Meet the Parents"? The guy is ridiculed mercilessly for being a male nurse. It's like being a male secretary, lots of stigma attached. Things are changing slowly, though. I guess if you can take the ribbing and can swallow your pride, nursing is good, hard work.

 

[Papi Chulo]

I was considering being a firefighter, but i've since found out it's impossible to get into.. and one of the best ways to move into this profession is to be a paramedic/emt first.

Does anyone here do it? If so what can you say about the job.. i.e pros and cons, etc.

You sound like a 5 year old.. what is next a policeman?

 

[stinkynuts]

You sound like a 5 year old.. what is next a policeman?

The guy is just asking for career advice. Terbites have a lot of collective experience, and first-hand knowledge is important. I have learned a lot about becoming a teacher by posting here. We're just trying to make something out of ourselves.

 

[goodtime]

All things considered -being a paramedic doesn't pay enough. Plus the career itself and there are often long hiring freezes in the job.
So if you graduate during a hiring freeze, you're screwed.

All in all -nursing is a better job. More money, more options, more women and an almost guaranteed job anywhere. And if you're a guy- a huge plus.

One reason number of Paramedic have a 2nd job. There's lots of opening in nursing. If willing to travel, many U.S. & overseas are hiring.