Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by John Crabbe on July 9, 2012 at 8:14pm

I'm not in FL, but I would be willing that any school that is teaching the paramedic curriculum will be about the same. The school itself shouldn't matter too much as long as they are accredited and meet the teaching requirements. The reality is paramedic is less about books and more about experience, most of the learning is going to be done in the clinical, and field experience.

 

Having seen paramedics from a variety of schooling backgrounds, the curriculum is the same, and I have yet to see or hear of someone who stood out because they went to so and so school as opposed to any other. The factor that sticks out for new hires is the certification itself, as opposed to where it was obtained.

 

The only thing that may stand out beyond the paramedic cert is if you decide to obtain a degree. And realistically, IMO, if putting in that time and effort for a degree, I would just look to go nursing. However, if you do decide to go paramedic, I would suggest that you look to take the National Registry exam and get certified through that as well. I'm not sure if FL license will reciprocate, but National Registry typically does.

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Russ on July 10, 2012 at 12:21am

I'm in florida and the school you attend should be one that is not a rubber stamp school. find one that will not only teach the PM course, but actually educate you

 

BTW is the food still good at cafe 911?

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Ben Waller on July 10, 2012 at 10:09pm

Here is a link to several Florida paramedic programs, including one-year certificate programs and two-year Associate's de....  I am unfamiliar with them all, so I can't speak for their quality or how they stack up against each other.

 

If you want to get a paramedic education that will stack up against what's coming in making paramedicine a true profession, you should go with a minimum of an Associate degree program.  Otherwise, you'll just have to go back to school to get the degree in the future.

 

If you want one of the better paramedic degree programs, you'll have to go out of state.  Western Carolina University, the University of Maryland-Baltimore County, and George Washington University all have top-notch paramedic Bachelor degree programs - and even Master's degree programs.  All three of these have been around for a long time, are accredited, and have great reputations in the national EMS community.  There are others including the University of South Alabama that have paramedic bachelor's degrees, that are closer to you, but that are not as well know.

 

Good luck in your search, pick the best program you can afford, and get your education based on your long-term career, not just getting hired at the first place you apply.

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Tracey Lynn Morris on July 12, 2012 at 5:50am

This job is more than the book. There are steps I wish all would take climb the ladder! first responder Firefighter then EMT then Paramedic be a good probie listen to the folks who have been there/ If you take classes from other states you may be required to take their STATE REGISTY before the STATE YOU LIVE take the NATIONAL BOARD in everything you take Kansas is one State that requires their State board over NAtional.

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Peter Reilly on July 18, 2012 at 5:09pm

HI, I have been a paramedic fire fighter for the last thirty years,I am also a ACLS instructor and a paramedic instructor as well. I live in south Florida.The school down here that they use are Broward College in Davie Florida . Their program are three years . My son went to City College and he did fine their program last for a year and a half. This does cost a little more because they have smaller classes than Broward College . But both are fine school .

   Petey   

• ▶ Reply

▶ Reply to Discussion