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Discussion

Which route to take?

Hello everyone,

Just registered on this website, it seems neat and would love if I could get some direction.

I'm 18 years old, and enrolled in an EMT class. Originally I wanted to become a firefighter, since the beginning of high school. However after learning more and more about it and after taking the EMT class I really enjoy patient care as well. I like firefighting, and I like the hospital setting.

I'm confused on where to go after EMT class,

I am confused on what career path I want to take as well. I guess its silly to ask a bunch of nurses whether to become a firefighter or nurse! :)

I want to have a family later in life, and I think nursing would be better geared towards that, for my wife and children. I was so inspired doing my clinical at the hospital working with the nurses in the ER, it seemed like a dream job.

I have a few options.

#1. Get a job as an EMT this January, see how I like it, take a minimal amount of general ed classes while working, as to not get burned out. I'm taking some courses at my community college now as it is.

#2. Work at my retail job now and focus on community college and getting into nursing school, and becoming a nurse.

#3. Work as an EMT, do paramedic school, focus on firefighting.

I love patient care, and would love to become a nurse.

I took a CPR class in the summer, as it was a requirement for the EMT course. I remembered seeing this one really pretty nurse there and overheard some stories she had with an older female nurse about experienced in the hospital. It was so inspiring I couldn't believe it!

Well, not too long ago I did the race for the cure, the breast cancer run. I've been really motivated lately in everything I do from nutrition, exersize, school and all. Well at the race I saw the young nurse and it was motivating because I want a life like that. Its hard to explain, but I'll leave it at that :o

Thank you!!

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    My grandfather was a firefighter for many years and my cousin is one currently. Both of them have jobs other than working at the fire house. My grandfather drove a semi truck and my cousin works in maintence for the government.

    My point is that firefighting doesn't really pay the bills. It is very hard to actually be hired by the fire house and could take a very long time. Your best bet may be to pick a career and just be a volunteer fire fighter so you get the best of both worlds. Besides, when a community has more volunteer fire fighters it helps with insurance on your house (I'm not sure on the specifics though).

    I would also note that if you chose to be a nurse you may not have the energy to want to go fight fires and that is also something you may want to consider. For all I know you may have that energy, but it is still a valid point to take into count.

    As far as choosing between the EMT or the retail job you will have to consider which one you enjoy more and which one pays better. If the Retail job pays better but you like EMT more you are going have to decide if its worth the pay cut and vice versa.

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    • Author
    My grandfather was a firefighter for many years and my cousin is one currently. Both of them have jobs other than working at the fire house. My grandfather drove a semi truck and my cousin works in maintence for the government.

    My point is that firefighting doesn't really pay the bills. It is very hard to actually be hired by the fire house and could take a very long time. Your best bet may be to pick a career and just be a volunteer fire fighter so you get the best of both worlds. Besides, when a community has more volunteer fire fighters it helps with insurance on your house (I'm not sure on the specifics though).

    I would also note that if you chose to be a nurse you may not have the energy to want to go fight fires and that is also something you may want to consider. For all I know you may have that energy, but it is still a valid point to take into count.

    As far as choosing between the EMT or the retail job you will have to consider which one you enjoy more and which one pays better. If the Retail job pays better but you like EMT more you are going have to decide if its worth the pay cut and vice versa.

    Thank you for the response.

    I think you are right, firefighting doesn't help pay the bills a whole lot. I can always start with a nursing degree and see from there if its worth it.

    I think what I might do is find a job as an EMT and take community college courses that will prepare me for nursing school, I'll have to talk to a counselor as I'm not sure if that is worth my time, or money.

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    I definitely think taking the EMT course and continuing with the Nursing pre-reqs would definitely be a good idea. It would allow you to leave your options open at this point.

    Could you maybe be a volunteer firefighter to fulfill that ambition? Either way, I think it's easier for a nurse to become a firefighter than it is for a firefighter to become a nurse.

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