fakingpatience

I am not looking for a short cut to a paramedic program- both the CT program and the IA one mentioned sounded interesting (after looking on the website about the Iowa program, it seems it is like 9 months long, not really 15 weeks...). One thing that sounded really appealing to me about the CT program that fiznat mentioned was that the lecture portion is combined with lab/ hospital clinical time (is that right fiznat?), and that the Anatomy and Physiology was specifically geared towards EMS. So thanks for getting me to look into that program!

I really want a good education, but at the same time, don't want to go through a program that will require me to retake so many of the basic classes (non ems) that I had to take to get my BA... I am looking at taking A&P 1 at the local community college here, but it doesn't' come with a lab portion... for those of you who have taken A&P, is it worth it without the lab?

And again, any more specific program suggestions?

Thanks for all your help

So, I already posted a question in the general form, but figured I should introduce myself as well

I am an EMT-B in the US. I just moved from one state to another and am trying to get back into EMS in my new state. My certifications just transfered, and I have interviews with the two agencies in my area coming up in the next two weeks, so hopefully they will go well! I was a volunteer in an ALS ambulance service back in my other state for just under a year, so hopefully the agencies here will see me as more qualified than someone who just got out of school. I am a little nervous, since the testing for one company seems to favor people who just finished EMT school, because all it is is the skills test they had to pass at the end of class... I am currently working in an unrelated job, and every time I hear the sirens go past my house (which for some reason is ridiculously often), I yearn to be back in EMS. I also want to further my education, eventually going back to school to become a paramedic.

I can only speak to Texas (which, yes, is in the south) but think that maybe what I have to say might hold true to other states. In Texas, we all have to do our final testing through National Registry. So, to help to determine the better program, I recommend you do a search online for National Registry pass rates. For Texas, 2008, the link is http://www.dshs.stat...atRegTXPass.pdf. For 2009 - http://www.dshs.stat...stryNumbers.pdf. From there, you can start asking questions about specific programs.

Wow, I didn't know there was information available online about a programs national registry pass rates, this should be very helpful! But would you mind sending the link again? The one you attached to the post was broken. Does anyone know if there is data like this available ranking all the programs nationally? You mentioned that your program was consistently in the top 10... where did you find such a ranking?

I know that this topic is so broad, that is why I am having such a hard time researching programs, there are so many out there. As I said before, I really have no idea where I want to live- so far I have liked everywhere I have tried, and I am not afraid to try new places. I do realize that it would be useful to go through a program somewhere I want to continue living, for the connections and such, but I can't see myself living in one place for the rest of my life (or even the next 15 or so years...) anyway.

Again, any information on the different programs is much appreciated

Hello all

This is my first post here, I hope I am posting it in the right place. I have looked for similar topics, but I can't find any, so if you know of one and could give me the link to it that would be great!

I am looking at becoming a paramedic. I have been an EMT for almost a year and absolutely love it. I recently moved, and had to find a job not in EMS, and am yearning to get back to EMS. I love learning, just graduated college with a BA, and am ready to get back for more education. I am trying to find a paramedic program that would be good for me to attend, but I am having trouble narrowing them down! I have moved around a lot, and don't mind moving again for a paramedic program, so I am not limited by geographical concerns (the only place I am not that excited about living is the south... but even there I could be convinced to go to). I just want to find a good program! Here are some of the things that are important to me:

Small class sizes

Lots of hands on work (I learn better through hands on and discussions than through plain lectures and reading the book)

National accreditation (I don't know where I will be living next!)

As I mentioned, I already have a BA, so going to a program where the credits are transferable is not as important to me.

Any ideas how I could start narrowing down the massive amounts of programs there are? If you had a really great experience in your paramedic program, or a really bad one, please share it with me! Are there programs that are known for being consistently amazing? Which programs should I stay far far away from?

Any information I can get on the different programs will help

Thanks in advance!