Zero to Hero: A New Meaning

What is a “Zero to Hero”?  An EMT that goes straight to Paramedic school without gaining experience working as an EMT.

The belief that an EMT must have experience to be qualified to go to Paramedic school and succeed as a Paramedic is just that: a belief.  But that belief is vigorously held to as a universal fact by many Paramedics.  The term “Zero to Hero” has been coined as a negative label to discourage EMTs from moving more quickly to Paramedic school and the opportunities it brings for more knowledge/skills, more employment opportunities, higher pay, etc.  “Because experience matters more.”

I have heard that EMTs should have anywhere between a year and 5 years as a minimum before even considering Paramedic school.  In some states there are requirements on duration of time as an EMT, and some schools have internally imposed admissions requirements for experience.  But in some places, EMTs are allowed to enroll in Paramedic school immediately without experience.

The importance of experience cannot be overlooked but it should be evaluated as a benchmark that qualifies one to head to Paramedic school.  As an EMT, I was told such things as:

                “Your job is to stand by the gurney and wait.”

                “You just drive.”

And many other less than helpful nuggets of what being an EMT should be like.  Now, I did SEE a lot, and took the opportunity to read as many patient charts as possible, and ask questions of those around me.  But for all the experience that I had, it left one burning desire:

To be able to know more and provide more care to patients

As providers and educators, we should support and encourage an EMT that wants to understand more, learn more skills, and be more involved in patient care.  It raises the overall quality of the team.  Having more educated providers and more hands that can help, will result in better patient care.

I would like to propose one similarity in education that follows a similar path as a “Zero to Hero” EMT.  The path of a physician.  A high school student striving to become a doctor can graduate high school and enroll in college immediately.  After college, they can apply and be accepted directly into medical school.  They can move through medical school, graduate and be a Doctor.  As a new Doctor they can begin practicing and providing care to patients in residency and more training after that.  They did not have to work as a lower level of healthcare provider, or gain a certain amount of experience, PRIOR to going to medical school. 

So, physicians are the ultimate Zero to Hero.

There are countless fields and industries that don’t require work as a lower level.  But EMS is so different that one must work as an EMT for years before being deemed appropriately experienced enough to consider Paramedic school?  Hardly.  Where the difference comes from is the quality of education being received during school and the responsibility that the schools and educators have to run a program that trains qualified Paramedics.

The clinical & field rotation time in Paramedic school should be well designed to build that experience base that is needed to succeed as a Paramedic.  Just like residency training for doctors.  Part of that rotation time also includes the need for preceptors that will help shape and guide the growth of Paramedics-in-training.

Does that mean that no one benefits from getting experience as an EMT first?  Not at all.  Many students do get the benefits of working as an EMT, seeing more of the industry, and better understanding of their career choice.  But arbitrarily landing on some preset amount of experience/employment time as an EMT misses the mark to help gauge likelihood of success in school and as a Paramedic.

I have taught Paramedic classes for the last 8 years and have the seen the whole range of students coming through Paramedic school with and without experience.  I have seen EMTs with 10 years of experience struggle miserably with Paramedic school because their knowledge of anatomy & physiology, pathophysiology, and more went out the window years ago while gaining the very experience that is believed to help them so much.  And often it comes with the adoption of bad habits picked up along the way.

I have also seen EMTs with lots of experience that become a resource and asset to the rest of their Paramedic class because of that experience.  They function as internal class mentors that other students look to for help and guidance.

And just as well, I have seen brand new EMTs that start Paramedic school right away because they know it is what they want to do.  Their drive, knowledge of the material, and focus on education makes Paramedic school easy by comparison while they are primed with good study habits, fresh test taking strategies, and more.

And there are EMTs that get into Paramedic school that would benefit from more experience.  Often though, the experience that would benefit them most is actually more education, not more time running calls.

In an industry that is continuing to advance to greater levels of educational requirements and background, it is time to look to other healthcare education fields (nursing, physician, etc.) and understand the need for quality experience is something that should be achieved in Paramedic schools, and not a prerequisite that delays a person from achieving more personally and professionally.

For the EMTs out there considering Paramedic school (especially those without experience), I respect and honor your drive, ambition, and desire for growth.  When looking into Paramedic programs, inquire about the clinical and field rotation experiences that you will gain during school, the educator training of the instructors, and any other variable that can help you on your journey of becoming a Paramedic and beyond.

The future of the industry is in your hands.  Show up, prove the naysayers wrong, and prioritize your career opportunities.

Andrew (Director of an EMS school and a Paramedic that began Paramedic school without any experience as an EMT)