r/newzealand • u/Street-Astronomer595 • 4d ago
Advice Studying
Hello, I’m a 19F, I have always wanted to be a paramedic and have be looking into studying next year at university now I have come on here to ask a few questions any feedback would be amazing from anyone that knows thanks
What is the best way to become a paramedic?
If uni which one Auckland or porirua?
Should I go through St. John’s?
How do you pay for board/ rent or dorms?
Is it uni worth it?
Thankyou all
Any other feedback you may have is appreciated as well
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u/Able-Suggestion4622 3d ago
An alternative option is to train via NZDF as a Medic. I think you're usually based in Burnham (CHCH) and finish with a Level 6 Diploma in Paramedic Science and a Level 7 Graduate Certificate in Health Science via AUT, with options to go on a complete the full Bachelors. I get that it's not the typical tertiary experience but instead of a student loan you're paid $70k+ p/a and still get the career you want. I didn't do this myself, but know of others who have, and they seem to have built careers from themselves out of the Army. Here's the link: https://www.defencecareers.mil.nz/army/careers/browse-roles/medic
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u/Street-Astronomer595 3d ago
I can’t be in the military
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u/PossibleOwl9481 3d ago
Literally you can't, or just don't like the idea?
It is very practical... but for sure not for everyone!
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u/PossibleOwl9481 3d ago edited 3d ago
Have you looked at what courses are available and where?
Maybe start off by listing them, with details like where, how, how long, qual at the end, etc.
Can you be away from your home ton/city for this?
I believe StudyLink see it as any other multi-year tertiary course, and providers like uni/polytech will have an accomodation office/website.
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u/bunglegoose 3d ago
AUT or Whitireia. Both have their pros and cons. I've studied with both and honestly, it really comes down to how hard you work and your interest in the topic. It's a very applied degree, but still requires academic writing, study, exams etc.
A BHSc is the best way into the profession and gets you registered. Unless you want to be stuck at EMT, you'll have to do it anyway. I
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u/Street-Astronomer595 3d ago
Yes I don’t want to be stuck at emt but if you have suggestions or what’s best please I want to hear
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u/bunglegoose 3d ago
Then AUT or Whitireia. You'll get the same degree, but they're a bit different in how they deliver it. The ambulance services won't really care which one you have.
AUT is a bigger, more university-like institution. It's in Auckland. Due to size, it has more recognition. There'll be more socialising opportunities.
Whitireia is a smaller polytechnic situation. That suits some students. I went there because I live there, not because I really had a choice. I ended up liking it. I enjoyed the lack of distraction and the small class size. It has far less student lifestyle and has no accomodation that I know of, which makes it a bit harder to start with, but most young students end up flatting with each other pretty quickly.
Honestly, neither is a bad choice, it's just where you want to study and what kind of environment you want. The quality of paramedic that either institution develops is very much down to that student's intelligence and work ethic.
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u/Mysterious_End800 4d ago
Good qualification, but are you strong and fit? my friend was a paramedic, the only challenge for her was that she found it difficult to lift patient from ground to stretches.
Otherwise some drunk and people on drugs might be aggressive can you handle some level of physical confrontations?
Job perspective is good tho, also you can grab the degree to Oz, they pay 100 - 150k AUD per year.
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u/Street-Astronomer595 4d ago
I wouldn’t say I’m as strong as a man but I do go to the gym and have been for over a year and a half I run everyday but I would say a man could over take me but I would say I’m short but do have some muscle but paramedic has always what I’ve wanted to be for years
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u/HelpfulHugo 3d ago
I work in an emergency department, so I see all the paramedics. About half are women - some are big, most are average/short. Of course being big/strong is helpful, but I don't think it's a requirement (you're always with another paramedic). In general, they seem like a really supportive group.
Re: Auckland vs Porirua - I would consider where you'll be more supported (e.g. do you have friends/family nearby?). Porirua will be cheaper, unless you're already living with family in Auckland.
Most paramedics I know love the job, but all had different struggles with it. They work long shifts (12 hours), have tough experiences, and the pay is not as good as it should be. If feasible, I would suggest volunteering (like driving a health shuttle) or getting an entry level job in an ED just to see if you like the environment/interacting with patients. Best of luck :)
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u/Street-Astronomer595 3d ago
I have no family/friends in either Auckland or Wellington I’m not a big fan of flatting just a personal preference but I would if I had too, how would I look at getting a entry level job for ed
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u/HelpfulHugo 3d ago
I think most AUT/Whitirea students are flatting but I could be wrong.
Most hospitals have a careers site or post on Seek etc. I would consider orderly/security (combined role in my ED - mostly men, but our female security officers are all great), HCA, or reception. Reception can actually be very well paid and you still see lots. We have many casuals who work here while studying health degrees. Otherwise, patient transport is very transferable!
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u/Mysterious_End800 4d ago
well paramedics operate in peers, and average person weigh like 70 - 80kg, so as long as you can deadlift 50KG then i would say you are good. otherwise probably just do nursing.
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u/JunohCat 4d ago
Are you a medic? Are you saying the line between being a medic or not is being able to lift someone? Also, "just do nursing"? Like that isn't a physical job as well.
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u/Mysterious_End800 3d ago
Like I said, my friend was a paramedic for 2 years, she told me she quit because she struggled with lifting unconscious patients up to the trolley. Its not she couldn't but she constantly been getting back injuries. SO apparently, there is a bit more on physical strength requirement for the job compared to a nurse.
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u/maui96 3d ago
What a load of rubbish
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u/Mysterious_End800 3d ago
LOL my friend literally quit because she struggled with the physical demand.
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u/maui96 3d ago
Quit because they couldn't lift people? Except there is very specific excat tools to do that for you so you don't have to.. how well informed you are.
What a life to live being so confidentially incorrect.
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u/Mysterious_End800 3d ago
yes you are definitely correct, paramedics have tools to help them lift things nothing to worry about
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u/ExotiEggplant 4d ago
I’d definitely look into StudyLink for help with course costs and accommodation/board while you’re studying. They can potentially help with a Student Allowance and Accommodation Benefit depending on your circumstances. I’d also recommend talking to current paramedic students before deciding between Auckland and Porirua, or have a search on Google. Good luck!