Hospital jobs right out of school

[IBStacy2U]

Do you have to work the streets before you can work in the hospital setting first? Is this based on seniority, experience or can you just apply?

Any advice thoughts or personal experience?? Thanks.

[Ridryder 911]

It all depends upon the job description you are in. Some prefer years experience, some may not, and all depends upon what your intention is for later. Remember, EMT training is not designed for hospital setting, but one can perform in some roles with additional training.

R/r 91

[Dustdevil]

Yes, it really varies. Depends on what they want their techs to do and how desperate they are for help. I've certainly seen quite a few places that were more than happy to hire a new grad. Probably most want some experience though. I've known a lot of EMTs whose first and only job ever was in the ER though.

ER jobs are excellent "exposure," but usually not really quality "experience" for an EMT. The wholistic exposure to the diagnostic process and the therapeutic continuum are invaluable to your professional growth. You simply can't get that kind if experience in the field, even in a busy ALS system. On the other hand, the "experience" you get in the ER is usually negligible. EMT is just first aid. There isn't much first aid given in the ER. Damn few of the so-called "skills" you learned are applicable to definitive care. The bandaging and splinting you spent so much time on in EMT school is all but useless in the ER where it's all about dressing and casting, which are completely different skills. The result is, when you get to the field, you'll be way ahead of your peers in patient evaluation skills, but way behind in your B&S, etc... Not a bad trade-off though, as far as I am concerned.

Anyhow, if EMS is what you want to do, then ER is just going to frustrate you because you won't be doing anything you were trained to do except taking vital signs and occasionally performing CPR compressions, which any monkey could do. And even if the nurses treat you well, you're going to feel crapped on because while they are doing patient care, you are going to be cleaning beds and emptying trash cans. A nurses aid could do your job, and in many hospitals, they do. And they have more training for it too. That perspective kind of wears on you after awhile.

That said, if you can find a hospital-based EMS service, it can be the best of both worlds!

Good luck, whatever you choose!