Navy Corpsman out there? Civilian Paramedic here!

Hello....

I have always considered joining the military since I graduated HS...almost joined the Army...now I am looking at the Navy...

I am currently a Civilian Paramedic, certified in FL (Not NREMT-P) and I am curious if a civilian paramedic could successfully be a Navy Corpsman or any other related job in the Navy.

I have been a civilian medic for 4 months now and Love it....I never would consider leaving the medical field, and I am also considering going to school to be an RN.

The reason why I am looking in other directions now is because EMS is dying in Florida. Most Fire departments are taking transports now, and the company I work for in Orlando is losing the 911 contract to Orlando fire this october....so no more 911 calls

EMS providers are looked down upon around here unless you are a Fire medic...we get no respect from the Fire departments or the public...we are just "amberlamps drivers."

I was fire II certified, right now I need to recert, but Its very hard to find a job as a FF around here, especially in the current economical climate.

Plus I am not sure if I want to pursue the fire side anymore.

Any suggestions from anyone out there?

I love the job, just not where it seems to be heading around here.

 

I think you should get your BS in nursing, then apply to one of the services for a commission as a medical officer.

 

Hmm...that's something I haven't considered. I will add that to the list. Thanks man!

 

Getting your BS is all fine and dandy, but honestly, I think most Docs would agree, being attached to an infantry unit is probably the most satisfying job anyone in a Naval medical occupation could do. If you do this, consider going enlisted, becoming a Fleet Marine Force Corpsman and serving with the grunts. Then get your commission. Just my dos pesos, ultimately it's your life, do what you think would make you happy. BTW, I think your training as Paramedic would serve you very well as a Corpsman. Good Luck!

 

if you want to join, then do it. otherwise you'll regret it later in life... i guarantee it.

as a side note, just to explore all medic opportunities the military has to offer, look into USAF Pararesuce (i did this in the AF). It's Air Force special tactics, combat search and rescue. All PJ's are paramedics, and much more.

 

If you go in as an enlisted and do very well on the ASVAB you can possibly qualify to be a Corpsman. Just depends on what Ratings are open at the time you go to MEPs. Good luck!

 

I'd say consider the RN, good friend of mine works in the ER and loves it! Didn't have any issues finding a job out of college and gets paid pretty good. Not to talk you out of serving but I'd recomend school than going in as a officer if you want to serve.
Good luck with your decision.

 

RN is definitely what I plan to do eventually...not sure if its going to be sooner or later.

I am trying to get on with a 911 only ambulance company locally that pays very well and has state retirement...so I will be set if I am with them for 20-25 years, then retire....then pursue something else. (I am only 21)

I am also going to get my firefighter cert updated and current and try to get a job as a FF/medic now that I have some experience.

Joining one of the armed services is something I think I have always wanted to do....But i am not 100% sure yet if I can be committed to it 100%..so I still have some thinking to do.

 

If you are not 100% committed, do not waste your time or ours. You will have a miserable time if you are not all in.

 

thats why I am not sure yet...

 

I was a Corpsman with a Marine Infantry unit and now currently a paramedic. The only problem with being a corpsman is that your a glorified emt I. You pretty much do basic emt skills and will hardly ever use any of your ALS stuff. Though if the doctor trusts you he will show you how to do some cool stuff. But when it comes down to it you will be using less skills for sure and will probably get pretty rusty. You could also try to go to IDC school after becoming a corpsman which is like PA but would have to be a corpsman for a while before you apply I believe.

 

thanks for your input man.

I am already getting pretty rusty now. I probably only run 1-2 emergency calls a week where I am using ALS skills. Very rarely do I ever do anything truly ALS. Usually just run of the mill monitor/IV BS ALS calls.

 

Yeah, we run typical BS all week too. As a corpsman you will be dealing with fevers, rashs, colds, and the occasional heat exhaustion. So pretty boring stuff but your taking care of your guys at least and not random people.

 

That would get boring. I average 6-8 calls a night during my 4 roatations

 

I would vote for getting your RN and then consider joining. Better life, better assignments, good chances to expand your skills.

 

very boring....

but two 911 shifts just went up on the board for bid...so hopefully I can get one of them

 

This. Or you'll be a vitals-tech at a clinic somewhere. You can do cool stuff and have a good time in the military, but you may just be stuck in some shitty area doing a job you hate too. Not every corpsman is a high-speed, Afghan-located, life-saving bad ass. You might end up an Xray tech, lab tech, pharmacy tech, dental tech, psych tech, etc ... Despite what Andrew8404 said, you may very well end up taking care of lots of dependents if you're not attached to ship or FMF unit.

Also, a RN is useless for the military. Need to be a BSN. And, it's NURSE corps, not "medical officer" to Tacomathom. MO's are physicians.

 

I'll throw in my .02

I am a former enlisted Marine. My mother retired as a Lt. Col. She was a nurse with the California Air National Guard. The air guard is the best kept secret in the military. She never regretted a day of her service. Back then (1960s) most nursing schools were 3 years and the military saw it as a position which garnered immediate commission. In today's military the Navy/Air Force (and Air Guard) require a BSN for a commission. Last I heard the Army only required an RN for an officers slot.

I work as a radiologic technologist (xray tech) and have worked with a couple Physician Assistants (PAs) who were commissioned officers in the Navy. One of which did tours in Afghanistan and was close to the shit. If that is your desire I would look into that too.

I've leaned a lot here about getting a commission. Both my parents were officers and my brother and I enlisted. Go for the stars and bars. It is a better quality of life while you serve. If you're in the Air Force/Navy it will be even better. If you enlist in an air guard unit as a medic/emt while you get your BSN that unit will most likely either hold a slot or make one for you when you do get your BSN. Just some things to think about. I don't know if the Air Force uses PAs but it would be a good question for a recruiter. Don't trust them too much though.

Good luck.