EMT Training ?

preemieRNkate, RN · Apr 6, 2008

I followed in my dad's footsteps and became an EMT at age 18 and joined the local vollie FD. I didn't even know at the time that I wanted to be a nurse. I was always interested in the medical field, and toyed with the idea of being a nurse, but didn't actually decide on it until after becoming an EMT. I loved the time I spent on the ambulance! I come from a place where FD/EMS is almost entirely volunteer, so there were lots of calls where I was the only EMS available (I was an EMT-B). I resigned almost 3 years ago, but I really miss it sometimes.

I work in NICU now, so it's a little different from what I did on the ambulance but I think that any experience is good. If you think about it, there are alot of similarities between an unconscious adult patient and one of my preemie baby patients. Neither one can talk, and you have to rely on assessment skills to figure out what is going on.

Best of luck to you if you decide to become an EMT and for nursing school as well!

DaddyO · Apr 7, 2008

O.k. so I called around this morning and found out that there is a big difference in cost taking the Training at a state run EMT training site ($105.00) versus the community college ($585+ books).

Not sure if I can do it over the summer. (mon - thurs, from 730 - 10pm, 8wks)....the Fall schedule is a little more compatible with my work schedule (Tues and Thurs, same time of day Sept - Dec).

Any thoughts on the online training options ? I see some offered...just not sure if worth it.

preemieRNkate, RN · Apr 7, 2008

O.k. so I called around this morning and found out that there is a big difference in cost taking the Training at a state run EMT training site ($105.00) versus the community college ($585+ books).
Not sure if I can do it over the summer. (mon - thurs, from 730 - 10pm, 8wks)....the Fall schedule is a little more compatible with my work schedule (Tues and Thurs, same time of day Sept - Dec).
Any thoughts on the online training options ? I see some offered...just not sure if worth it.

Where I am from, if you join your local volunteer FD/EMS, they will pay for your training. I'm not sure if that would be an option for you, but maybe you could look into that? That's what I did.

Faeriewand, ASN, RN · Apr 7, 2008

My EMT class only cost $110 at the adult school. Books were another $100. I don't know why tthe CC is charging so much if they are publicly funded

Sounds like you are headed in the right direction DaddyO :) (love that name! Did you like the movie "Blackboard Jungle? Cliff Robertson?)

You will have a lot of fun in the class!

flyinchic · Apr 7, 2008

Hey there...just my 2 cents from a past-paramedic. I went through the local community college many years ago and completed the continuing education courses for EMT-B, EMT-I and then EMT-P. It was a great experience. I worked several part-time jobs as a paramedic and volunteered a great deal while becoming a paramedic. I also have a BS in Biology, and have always been interested in something in the medical field. I am completing my first year of nursing school now....and will say that many of the basics have been review for me because of my background. Of course, things have changed since 7 years ago, and in addition, the protocols and such are a little different on an ambulance than in a hospital setting. The school I attend right now REQUIRES all students to be certified as a CNA prior to admission to the nursing program. As soon as I got my CNA certification, I went to work in the Emergency Dept as an ER Tech (fancy for CNA in the ED)...the hospital did on site training for additional skills (EKG's, blood draws, foley insertion, splinting)...and I will say that my experience in the ED has been the best so far. In my "free" time, I evaluate pt labwork and the meds they are being given and tie that in with what I have learned in nursing. Even though I cannot do "nursing" in the ED as a Tech, I am learning so much about ED nursing and my experiences at work have made school much easier. I agree with the others that the amount of time needed to complete the EMT training in addition to clinicals and studying nursing will be way too much! I highly recommend the CNA route and see if you can get a job in the ED...much to learn there !! Good luck!

preemieRNkate, RN · Apr 7, 2008

My EMT class only cost $110 at the adult school. Books were another $100. I don't know why tthe CC is charging so much if they are publicly funded
Sounds like you are headed in the right direction DaddyO :) (love that name! Did you like the movie "Blackboard Jungle? Cliff Robertson?)
You will have a lot of fun in the class!

The colleges around me charge for the class like they would for any other class, for the amount of credits it is worth. I believe they offer it as a full semester class and it is worth 3 college credits. That may be the reason why it costs so much at the CC.

I don't remember the exact procedure, but I think that I would've had to pay (someone) if I wanted to get college credits for the EMT-B class that I took. I never did it though.

Faeriewand, ASN, RN · Apr 7, 2008

Our community college charges $20 a unit. $60 for a 3 unit course. That would have been great if they had an EMT course.

preemieRNkate, RN · Apr 7, 2008

Our community college charges $20 a unit. $60 for a 3 unit course. That would have been great if they had an EMT course.

That's great! The local CC near me charges $140/credit, plus another $50/class for laboratory/equipment for certain classes, and whatever books cost. I would imagine that an EMT class would be one of those classes with a lab fee. It's actually worth 7 credits at the CC. The county EMS academy charges $800 for the EMT-B class. I just looked at the website, and it says that the EMT-B class is worth 6 college credits. Like I said in an earlier post, I opted to join the local volunteer FD and they paid for me to take the class, for the books and required equipment. I never looked into obtaining the college credits though, so I don't know what the process is.

DaddyO · Apr 8, 2008

Hello ! !

O.k. so you all are saying the CC could be more costly because this can be considered college credits. Gotcha !

The person I spoke with at the CC said there is a state test that one must pass as well. I figured this much......but she didn't know off hand how many questions or the format of the test. Is this all questions or is there some kind of clinical experience involved here ? She did add that before finishing the training, all students are required to be CPR certified. You don't need it starting the program, but this must be completed before the training ends. I would have thought this to be something taught during the training.

preemieRNkate, RN · Apr 8, 2008

Hello ! !
O.k. so you all are saying the CC could be more costly because this can be considered college credits. Gotcha !
The person I spoke with at the CC said there is a state test that one must pass as well. I figured this much……but she didn’t know off hand how many questions or the format of the test. Is this all questions or is there some kind of clinical experience involved here ? She did add that before finishing the training, all students are required to be CPR certified. You don’t need it starting the program, but this must be completed before the training ends. I would have thought this to be something taught during the training.

Well, here you can get college credits regardless of where you take the class. I seem to remember that if I wanted to get college credits for taking the class through the EMS academy, I had to pay someone for them. I apologize that I don't know the exact process, I didn't do it. If you take the class at the CC, you're paying the school directly for the credits. Maybe you could contact the EMS academy and ask them about college credits and how one would go about obtaining them.

In order to become a state-certified EMT, you must take the state test. From what I remember (it may have changed, and it may also vary from state to state), the written test was multiple choice. I don't remember how many questions it was, maybe 100 or 150? There is also a practical, where you have to demonstrate various assessment and treatment protocols, like medical/trauma assessments, AED, spinal immobilization, etc. in front of an instructor.

CPR certification was part of my class, I also needed it for nursing school and I need it for my job.

KyPinkRN · Apr 8, 2008

Hello ! !
O.k. so you all are saying the CC could be more costly because this can be considered college credits. Gotcha !
The person I spoke with at the CC said there is a state test that one must pass as well. I figured this much......but she didn't know off hand how many questions or the format of the test. Is this all questions or is there some kind of clinical experience involved here ? She did add that before finishing the training, all students are required to be CPR certified. You don't need it starting the program, but this must be completed before the training ends. I would have thought this to be something taught during the training.

To find out what your state requires find their EMS governing body... here in ky we have a board of EMS. Most states require a national certification which is a standardized test sort of like the NCLEX and given by the same company now. Ten years ago when I was testing we had to also pass a skills test. For more info on the skill portion and about the test visit the national registry site.

http://nremt.org/about/nremt_news.asp

The poster who mentioned joining a volunteer dept. has a great idea. I did this and was able to ride the ambulance as an observer while I was in class. It really helped big time in getting what was being taught and taking the skills test.

preemieRNkate, RN · Apr 8, 2008

The poster who mentioned joining a volunteer dept. has a great idea. I did this and was able to ride the ambulance as an observer while I was in class. It really helped big time in getting what was being taught and taking the skills test.

Yes, I was able to ride the ambulance and assist the EMTs while I was in class as well. It really did help reinforce what I was learning in class. I really miss riding the ambulance, I wish I had more time! I get to ride the ambulance now for my job when we go pick up babies at other hospitals, but it's not quite the same as rolling out of bed in the middle of the night to respond to a tool job MVA!