EMT training as medical expereance?

[Tangent]

Would going to EMT school over the summer look good as medical experience? Would it be worth the money?

[IceJBreaker]

Im fairly new to EMS myself, but to get experience you need to really use it. For example, I volunteer 12 hours a week on ambulance crew at my local ambulance corps (I have been volunteering since Feb). I am not certified yet, but will be in December after the state exam. I also plan on working in a hospital as an Emergency Room Technician once I get the certification. All that is needed for the job is an EMT-B certification. I will also continue volunteering. I feel that I have witnessed and experienced things that will help me along the path to med school.

I believe the time you put into it will determine how much it will help you.

I hope this helps because I dont really know how much it would help you in med school admissions. I am only a freshman.

[will381796]

Would going to EMT school over the summer look good as medical experience? Would it be worth the money?

Going to EMT school does not equal good medical experience. The good medical experience comes after you get your certification. So it you go to EMT school, do it because you will USE it afterwards. Taking the class and getting the certification and not using it will not help you out.

[Basel300324]

Depending on what year you are and when you are planning to apply to med school should tell you whether or not to become an EMT. You have to leave plenty of time to volunteer after you have your certification. If not, it will look just as good to volunteer at a nursing home or hospital. I have been an EMT for 5 years. I have volunteered at many stations and have an assortment of part time paid jobs. I live at a volunteer firehouse while attending school. Here i work as a Rescue Medic on a rescue squad. I get to see a lot of stuff and better yet I get to DO! a lot of stuff.

If you have the time to spend it is well worth it. You will definately see if you are cut out for working in the ER. Time and time again i find myself making critical patient decisions based on my training. For me, its better than volunteering at a hospital. Usually when i deliver a patient to the ER, the doctor and I are talking about the patient and what needs to be done, while the intern stands in the corner and watches! I'm not saying that you don't get anything out of hospital volunteering or interning. I'm just saying that if you are interested in the ER, than you can actually "get your hands dirty" with an EMT cert. and in the right circumstances. More often than not, I am telling my crew what needs to be done. Its a great way to express leadership skills and decision making skills in a very stressful, fast paced enviornment. The Key is.......... YOU HAVE to be willing to put the time in.

[Zethra]

I'm planning on moving to Texas after graduation to get my EMT certificate at UT Southwestern and working for about 2 years. That and emergency medicine is one of my interests and UTSW is one of my top choices for medical schools. That will also open up a lot more schools for me to apply to since Louisiana only has 3 and Texas has like 8 or 9.