I know a few of you here have been or are married to or know paramedic(s). I have been thinking a bit about becoming a paramedic lately and think it would be a very cool job. The only reason I dismiss this as a possible job alternative is because of the low pay scale. Am I misinformed or is the payscale really low for paramedics? I'm coming from the Chicago-land area and Salary.com quotes 28-35K a year as the average salary. I make 31K now in a non-medical field and I'm hoping to improve upon that. Also, what in your opinion, are the pro's and con's of being a nurse/paramedic? Any information or advice you have would be great! Thanks!
Oh...just so you know where this is coming from...I was in my A&P class tonight where all the students are in or entering the medical professions and struck up a conversation with a woman next to me. She was very adament that she would never be a nurse because of all the beauraucratic "crap" you guys all talk about and she claims she gets paid very well to be a Chicago Paramedic (after working for 6 years she says she makes 72K a year working 8 - 24 hour days a month) . This seemed a little too good to be true to me...maybe some of you fine folks can confirm or deny this info...and give me your wonderful input! Thanks again in advance!!
