In law, you never hear “Legal assistants save attorneys.”
In nursing, you never hear “CNAs save RNs.”
Yet, in EMS, so many pride themselves on being the lowest level of certification by repeating “Paramedics save lives. EMTs save paramedics.”
To me, taking a sense of perverse pride in having only 120-180 clock hours of education, is but an example of the anti-education mentality that continues to hold EMS back from being even roughly equivalent to nursing.
And one final thought. In EMS, you have to get an EMT certification before you can become a paramedic. RNs don’t have to be LVNs first. Doctors don’t have to be a physician’s assistant first. And attorneys don’t have to spend time as paralegals first.
EMS still has a long ways to go. I hope to see it get there.
Here in NC, you do not have to get the EMT level first. You can enroll in what some call “zero to hero” programs that take you through to paramedic. I am OK with that, for the reasons you spell out. My only problem is the quality of the vast majority of those programs. But then, that goes to the quality of so many initial programs out there.
I too would be more supportive of these programs if they weren’t billed as being a “shortcut”. They seem to embody the concept of “minimum” requirements.
I’d love to see NC move to the same model employed in Australia/UK/NZ with a longer entry level program which flows naturally through a degree and subsequent advanced degrees. I doubt I’ll see it happen anytime soon, even with the accreditation requirements being imposed by OEMS (by 2016).
“Shortcut”. That’s it. I remember that the instructor certifications were going to fix a problem…so how did that work out? IU am probably rather cynical, in that I really do not see things changing. I see too many people with a vested interest in keeping things the way they are. It is a combination of hospitals, EMS agencies, the IAFF, and more.
Hey everyone. I am actually considering enrolling in a “Zero to Hero” program in NC. It’s a 2 yr course, through a community college.
I’ve had quite a few people warn against going through that type of program, suggesting I get EMT, and gain 3-5 yrs of experience before I even consider Paramedic school. Any advice? I appreciate it!