I’ve been a long-time lurker of your blog, and have checked back every once in a while in anticipation of new posts. I’ve a fairly similar background to you… Just completed my Kin degree at UBC the last year, and have been seriously contemplating becoming a paramedic as of late. It’s something I’ve always had in the back of my mind since I was younger, but felt somewhat apprehensive about given the state of the BCAS.
I think this last post has really hit the nail on the head… You can have the best job in the world, but at the expense of what? Sometimes the sacrifices we make simply aren’t worth it, and it’s wonderful to see you have long-term in mind… Relationships, financial stability, and happiness trump all else at the end of the day. I think you’ll find in 10 years, this will have been the best decision you’ve ever made… And we both know come then, you’ll be ripping down the streets of Vancouver with lights and sirens, yelling at all the shitty drivers to get out of your way.
I feel like I’ve used you in some respects, but its personal accounts like these that have really helped me decide how I want to play out my future. Your blog has been an absolute inspiration…I’ve shown it to a few close friends and said, “damn, doesn’t that sound like an awesome job to have?”. Even though it can be hard to pick up emotions over text, it wasn’t difficult to tell how much you love working as a medic. I say to myself, “that’s what I want in a job”. That alone has solidified paramedicine in my future; but in line with your last post, I’ve decided to settle for an EMR cert for now while I undertake further studies that will give me stability moving forward. It’s the hope that I’ll be able to at least swing casual employment with BCAS towards the end of my degree (and beyond) until I’ve enough seniority to turn paramedicine into a somewhat stable career.
I just wanted to say, thank you. I hope all the happiness in the world finds its way to you… I don’t think there’s anyone more deserving.— R, 2015/11/08
Your blog inspires so many people. I was so glad to find your post about agonal breathing. It helped me during my studying. I gave your blog site to my friends and they love it. It’s great to read others people journey. –Bella, 2011/11/24
Really glad I found your blog, it’s been very interesting reading your experiences from both your school program and your actual calls on shift. I love the idea of the blog and think I might chronicle my journey as well. Thanks for the inspiration! –Everdeenedge, 2011/11/22
I love to read your blog. Keep going! Thanks for sharing your stories. I’m always waiting for the next one… –Bella, 2011/11/09
Your insight on the patient care was very insightful and this was an interesting read. Thank you for sharing! –Ben, 2011/11/09
Thank you for creating this blog. It’s the first website I’ve found that I feel confident gives me a good picture regarding paramedic topics in BC. –Vanja, 2011/10/26
Congrats, I just found your blog yesterday and found it to be very interesting, as I am going through the same steps. I just hoped that I would have read it earlier. –G, 2011/10/12
I absolutely love your blog! I am currently in the process of becoming a paramedic in nyc and it feels wonderful to know that I am not the only one in this lol. –Eyana Smith, 2011/09/28
I start Medic school in a week and I think I would like to have a blog … similar to this one. I really enjoy reading it. It was a big help when I was writing my letter of intent while applying to my program. So, thank you very much. –JHealth, 2011/09/10
Love the blog ! Informative and your witty banter is priceless! –Jenn, 2011/09/06
Thank you very much for this blog. It’s been extremely helpful to me as a person planning to become an EMR and later a PCP. –Brandon, 2011/07/16
I’ve thankfully just come across your blog after researching head injury patients on Google. I find it absolutely amazing and informative. Please please carry on blogging, your research and knowledge is of great help to me. Many, many thanks. –Jaime Littlewood, 2011/05/23
Love the site; I just published my book of memoirs as a paramedic in BC, “Blood on my Shirt”; great to see others are writing about their own experiences! –Mike Burzek, 2011/04/09
I love these posts! I’m going in for evaluations to hopefully get into the PCP program today, and I’ve loved reading your blog about the process and you life as a student there. Keep up the good work! –Silly Safety Girl, 2011/03/31
Thank you so much for writing this blog. I currently have my EMR cert and have my assessment day for PCP coming up. Reading this blog has definitely helped answer a lot of questions I’ve had about the training as well as the BCAS application so thank you! –Bren, 2011/02/28
I really must thank you for your blog. I likely would not have started down this path since there wasn’t a whole lot on the EMR program in BC online and most my friends who did it ages ago (post 2007). Your blog really educates and inspires those who are looking to get into it. Cheers! –Ben, 2011/02/24
Just came across your blog and wanted to let you know how awesome it is and thank you for all the great info on it. I’m currently in the PCP program as well as hoping to be hired by BCAS as an EMR pending licensing and an interview, so everything on here is uber relevant to my situation. Cheers! –PCP Dork, 2011/02/16
Thanks so much for summarising so clearly the matter of “Hypoxic Drive” and COPD patients. Nice job Mate. –Alec, 2011/02/05
Hey! I’m also pursuing a career as a Paramedic in BC… except i’m maybe 6 months behind you!! Reading through this blog has been so helpful for me since you have gone through EXACTLY what I am going through now! Thanks again for the blog, really insightful… good luck with everything! –Taisho, 2011/01/06
I just stumbled across your blog – your stories are excellent and the journey you have recounted is fantastic. –John, 2010/12/19
WOW. I came across your blog while looking for information on the pcp programs. I’m currently registered with my emr course this month and I can’t believe how informative your entries have been written. They exactly follow the steps i’ve researched to become a paramedic myself, and so much more!! Great blog. I will be following it from now on. –Trevor, 2010/09/28
Excellent article and very informative. Am a Paramedic in Australia. Recently attended a patient who had late stage COPD (Pink Puffer) – presented in Severe Respiratory Distress but SATs of 98% on home O2. I had not seen this kind of presentation before (two years on road) and was unsure whether High Flow O2 was appropriate given his Sats. From your article it would seem the Haldane Effect was at work and IPPB was the best approach. Thanks. –Alec, 2010/09/18
If that were me lying there,possibly hurt or dying,I would want someone to take action.So,I try to practice what I preach. Thanks for posting this article..It gives everyone something to think about. Keep up the great work!! –Fallenangel39, 2010/09/18
I just got into reading your blog a few days ago, but I have read all the entries and love them! I myself want to join the Emergency Response line of work when I am older. I have found your tales and journeys very inspirational! –Kelsea, 2010/06/30
My Paramedic Blog 
I am currently studying for an upcoming Cert IV Health (Ambulance) when I stumbled across your blog. From the first post I read I am hooked! I’h hoping to start at the very beginning and read my way through. Such a wealth of information! Keep up the fantastic work, so many people appreciate it! – Simon – Sydney Australia
Wow Simon, you have no idea how much reading that meant. Good luck with your upcoming cert! I’d love to visit Australia some day and maybe see how the service works there.
i just started going to university taking bio, English and math. just the first baby steps i need in order to start med school. i just stumbled upon this blog tonight and reading through it made me so giddy about my future as a paramedic.
i was wondering if you have a section on your blog that describes step by step what you have to do to become a paramedic?
Hey Aili,
I’m excited for you! Hmmm that’s a good idea, I never really thought about doing that. But if you fimd that useful I’m sure others will feel the same. When I have some time I will get on that 🙂
In the meantime good luck with your studies.
M
Hi, I was hoping you would help me have some insight from a point of view belong to a paramedic in BC. I applied to the RCMP quite a while ago. Anyways becoming a paramedic was my long shot second choice. The RCMP didn’t seem all too interested and so I went ahead and now I am taking a PCP program. The more I study and practise, the more I love it! Being a paramedic is truly something that I can be passionate about. As much or more so than I am about the RCMP. However, fiscally and practically it still may be a better choice to join the RCMP. What are some similarities between the two profession, main differences. (Of course I am asking for a subject opinion). I am just looking for some insight of possible considerations as a make a decision fo my lifelong career.
Sincerely, Thank-you.
Hi,
I have never applied to the RCMP and have never worked as an RCMP officer, so it may be best if you talk to an RCMP officer in regards to what it’s like on that side of the job.
What I can say is that the two jobs are different. So you need to decide which you would enjoy doing more? In both jobs we help people, but in different ways. As a paramedic you get an insight on people’s lives, you help them at their most vulnerable, you take care of not just the patient, but also their family, you witness things a normal person shouldn’t have to witness. In some instances you may save a life, you may bring someone’s loved one back to them, or at least keep them alive long enough for them to say their goodbyes. Likewise, as a paramedic you often attend to people who abuse the system, who calls 911 because they are lonely or because they have a nosebleed, others who are chronic alcoholics, who don’t appreciate themselves nor you, there are people who do drugs, who hurt themselves and their families. Sometimes you have to take care of the intoxicated person who kills another person while drunk driving, other times all you do is act as a counselor and all you do is sit and listen (70% of our job). There is such a wide spectrum of what the job involves, it’s hard to describe it all. Perhaps it’s a cliche, but I enjoy being a paramedic because for the most part, people are always happy to see you.
I can’t speak for what RCMPs job is like as I have never worked as an RCMP officer, but I’m guessing like what you may have already guessed that it will involve more law enforcement, helping people out with arguments and disputes, assisting when people are scared for their lives and need your protection, helping find a lost pet or person.
Financially speaking, RCMP is a better choice, I don’t remember exactly what the starting wage is, but starting out as a paramedic in BC, you would either have to move to a place with higher call volume, or work a second job on the side until you have enough seniority to get full time (approx 5 years). Part timers also don’t get benefits. Don’t get me wrong though, depending on which station you’re working in and how much availability you put in, sometimes working as a part timer you can earn more than full time. Be aware however, that at times, all I make is $2/hr or $10/hr until I get a call. That is a sad reality, and wage as a PCP with IV endorsement is $21.19/hr, and after five years $26.19, with little to no wage increase afterwards. It’s not a high paying job, but it is a job that can be very rewarding.
Wow! Thank-you for your incredibly helpful response!
Recent licensed EMR and BCAS applicant here. Just wanted to say I got pointed out to this blog by another fellow who is in the same boat as I am.
Were both trying to get into a PCP program and looking to jump start our careers.
Even though I just glanced through the various sections of your blog, I’m finding a lot of information to be helpful and the stories interesting.
Thank you for doing this! There needs to be more who don’t mind documenting their journeys!
Again thank you! Stay safe!
Hey Adam,
Glad you found this blog helpful! Good luck with your future endeavors!
Hello Pocket Medic
I am taking my EMR level this August. I am also a CSEP CPT and Fitness Appraiser. Would you be interested in posting my link on your site for PCP applicants for their Fitness Test requirements. I would be happy to offer a $5 discount to everyone that comes through the Pocket Medic http://www.pacificstudio.ca
Thanks for considering.
Hi there, I love your site and what you have created here. Your stories are so raw and real, great work.
I run an online paramedic school in Australia and I would love to chat about a content exchange.
Aussie paramedics are in high demand across the globe at the moment with a lot of our students coming across from the states and the UK due to the level of training and the experience.
Please check out my site and contact me if you would like to discuss a way I could help you with content.
I know your stories would be a hit with my students and I think it would be amazing for them to hear some real life war stories.
My site is http://www.paramedicineonline.com.au
I hope to hear from you son.
Regards
David
Your blog has been most helpful. Thank you for sharing all this great information. I decided to make a career change from HR to paramedicine last June. I’m starting the PCP program in Prince George in January. Reading your blog helped me to make the career-change decision, and it certainly will help me through the PCP program and beyond. Thanks again!
You’re welcome Simon 🙂