Pros and Cons
So here's the deal. I'm feeling really lost about what to do about medical school, paramedic school, etc. My god mother suggested that I write a list of pros and cons for each to help me figure it out.
Medical School
Pros: Highest level of medical training, has been a long term goal, good salary, can potentially help patients to the highest ability.
Cons: Paperwork, become a cog in the business of medicine, less and less patient interaction / patient relationships, extremely high liability, eight years of school, fellowships to specialize (more school), have to go where I can get in, or get a job (not where I want to be)
Paramedic school
Pros: higher level of training, can help my patients more, will get more patient contact than I do now, most EMS companies are strongly ALS reliant, pay increase, no more wheel chair car ever again, can potentially become an FTO or supervisor, better job market in EMS, if I decide to stay in EMS, I have to get my paramedic in order to advance anywhere.
Cons: I'm worried I'm doing this to put off a further education, the program starts on January 3, so I'd have to take A&P this fall. The program is a 6 month program, and I would cut back to atleast part time. If I do this, I will have to take out loans to continue to exist and live... not to mention my parents. I would also lose my benefits of being a full time employee (gulp!)
Looking at the big picture, there's not very many pro's for medical school... I'm not even sure I want to go to medical school anymore. I know I want to be in the field of medicine. I know right now I'm really into emergency medicine. I need to do some research on PA school (and see if there is one in Denver), as well as physical therapy (both of which I am also interested in) I doint' know. Maybe I don't want to be a doctor.
I think what my godmother suggested is good. Try to take A&P online so the hours are really flexible. No matter what field medically I go into, I'm going to need A&P, so it's not going to hurt me to take care of it now. That way, If I decide to go to P-school in Jan, I don't need to decide until November.
Anyone have any imput? I could really use advice.
Medical School
Pros: Highest level of medical training, has been a long term goal, good salary, can potentially help patients to the highest ability.
Cons: Paperwork, become a cog in the business of medicine, less and less patient interaction / patient relationships, extremely high liability, eight years of school, fellowships to specialize (more school), have to go where I can get in, or get a job (not where I want to be)
Paramedic school
Pros: higher level of training, can help my patients more, will get more patient contact than I do now, most EMS companies are strongly ALS reliant, pay increase, no more wheel chair car ever again, can potentially become an FTO or supervisor, better job market in EMS, if I decide to stay in EMS, I have to get my paramedic in order to advance anywhere.
Cons: I'm worried I'm doing this to put off a further education, the program starts on January 3, so I'd have to take A&P this fall. The program is a 6 month program, and I would cut back to atleast part time. If I do this, I will have to take out loans to continue to exist and live... not to mention my parents. I would also lose my benefits of being a full time employee (gulp!)
Looking at the big picture, there's not very many pro's for medical school... I'm not even sure I want to go to medical school anymore. I know I want to be in the field of medicine. I know right now I'm really into emergency medicine. I need to do some research on PA school (and see if there is one in Denver), as well as physical therapy (both of which I am also interested in) I doint' know. Maybe I don't want to be a doctor.
I think what my godmother suggested is good. Try to take A&P online so the hours are really flexible. No matter what field medically I go into, I'm going to need A&P, so it's not going to hurt me to take care of it now. That way, If I decide to go to P-school in Jan, I don't need to decide until November.
Anyone have any imput? I could really use advice.