I wrote this as a new PA student in the first few months of didactic and never finished it. I wanted to give everyone a snapshot of why and how I ended up in PA School while still ensuring I stressed how much I truly loved being a Paramedic. I decided to leave it as is to be as raw and personal as possible. After almost 3 years of it sitting as a draft now (As I initially was going to post it just after I passed my PANCE/boards and now we are in 2025).
I’m Tori PA-C, EMT-P. Before PA school, I worked almost 7 years in EMS, as a medic for 2 of those years. Fast forward to today, I’ve entered a new chapter as an Emergency Medicine PA. I graduated in September and passed the PANCE in October, filling the last few months with odd jobs and invaluable experiences. The instagram account I created, that has been slowly growing since I was an EMT, connects me to the incredible EMS community and aspiring PA students.
Reading this today, I can feel the emotions going through me as I struggled through each course of PA school, wondering if I would pass. But with each challenge, I grew stronger. I turned a corner once we hit cardiology and had a new feeling of confidence, but it did not get much easier. I added a few notes along the way in parentheses, but other than that, grab some coffee and read this if you want to glimpse into my mind for my years in PA school.
Let me be crystal clear – I’m not here to persuade every EMS professional to become a PA. I wholeheartedly believe that being an EMT or Paramedic is a significant career in itself. There’s no such thing as “just” in front of those titles. Trust me, I cherished every moment of my time as a paramedic, and I recognize the desperate need for GREAT EMS providers.
For those who know me, know that I was deeply passionate about being a paramedic. It was a rare case where I didn't dread going to work. I was always eager for the challenges each new shift brought, the opportunity to meet new patients, use new medications, and even hear about the latest work drama. I even created an EMS focused Instagram account (@LIFEANDSIRENS) to share this passion and inspire others to be the best versions of themselves, regardless of their field.
My career in EMS originally started because I wanted to gain patient care experience so that I could apply for a physician assistant position. Still, I stayed in EMS much longer than expected because I truly fell in love with medicine and being a paramedic. After almost six years in EMS, only a year into being a medic and picking up all the overtime on the planet… COVID rocked our world. I was living in a hotel, away from my atopic, allergic to everything, asthmatic family, and I felt helpless. Work slowed WAY down. I had a lot more spare time on my hands to stop and think. First, I tried to find ways to make extra money without overtime, and then I started thinking about the future. During this time, I realized that it had been close to 10 years since I took a lot of my prereqs…😅 This realization, coupled with my chronic back pain in my 20s, led me to consider applying to PA school.
Before deciding to apply to PA school, one of my last calls left me constantly wondering what happened to my patient without the ability to follow up. She had no family and no support system. I knew I did all I could for her with my bit of time, but I wished so badly that I could have done more for her beyond that day. That was the call that made me realize I need to keep going; I really do want to be a PA. (Side note: I recently connected with the social worker of that patient and learned she is thriving, living with family out of state, and the whole call was much more complex than I could have imagined. It involved surveillance and the unexpected involvement of big-money mafia-type guys. It was crazy to learn, but it was such a blessing - almost 4 years had gone by when I heard she was still doing well, and now I hardly ever think about her because I wasn't so freakin worried anymore!)
I realized I wanted to be able to help patients beyond responding to emergencies. EVERYONE needs an advocate at some point in their life, and many people don't have anyone. I wanted to build a relationship with patients and help increase their overall quality of life… not just patch them up and drop them off.
Becoming a Physician Assistant has been my goal, on and off, for many years; however, helping people has been my passion for as long as I can remember. As a Paramedic, I helped people on what may be the worst day of their lives. Whether we ran into a life-threatening emergency or a sweet old lady who called because she could not find her remote, I approached each patient with care and compassion. The most important aspect of patient care is simply to care. (I also thought of another story during COVID when we were called at 3am to a lady who had accidentally super glued her finger to her craft project - a knitted grocery bag holder hanging on by a thread. She said she had tried to get it off for 2 hours before calling us. She was so embarrassed. I quickly realized that the guy I was working with had steam coming through his ears, so I asked him to grab some hand sanitizer from the truck and our tablet to get a sign-off. In the meantime, I noticed she had some hand sanitizer in the kitchen, so I lathered her finger and pulled it off. I don't actually think I needed the hand sanitizer, but I wanted her to have some dignity left over after the whole experience. She was SO THANKFUL; we were there for less than 10 minutes. It may seem "extra" or like those things are not part of the job... but our job, as anyone in healthcare, is to take care of the community and advocate for those who do not have anyone. Healthcare providers have a dual responsibility: to provide medical assistance and act as advocates. This duty extends beyond emergencies, emphasizing the need for compassionate advocacy in navigating healthcare complexities. Support is crucial for the vulnerable, ensuring they receive the attention and understanding they deserve. By embracing our role with dedication and empathy, we stand up for the overlooked, contributing to a healthcare system that values every individual. Together, we make a difference in those who need it most. Wow, sorry that rant ended much longer than I intended.)
Please do not get me wrong; I would have been perfectly happy to be a paramedic for the rest of my life. My mind started thinking of alternatives because my body was not pleased with me .... my back🤪- stop lifting your patients… that's what firefighters are for! - KIDDING! Kind of 😉... that's what power stretchers are for. Plus, let's all be honest, I was working 60-hour work weeks, and my EMS paycheck did not reflect that. ON THE BRIGHT SIDE, the company I worked for has made HUGE strides to help increase pay over the last 3 years, and they are continuing to do so! I am not exaggerating when I say that I truly loved it! Although it is tough not being able to follow up with a patient due to the nature of pre-hospital care, EMS personnel are in a unique position. In EMS, we enter a patient's home where we can help in a way other healthcare providers cannot. I always did my best to encourage and educate whenever possible because many medical calls we run could be prevented with a few lifestyle changes. While I loved my job and was so thankful for the opportunity to work one-on-one helping my patients, I am looking forward to working as a Physician Assistant because I love establishing ongoing relationships with my patients and being an integral part of improving their overall quality of life.
My goal is not to urge you to climb higher for the sake of it; instead, I want to inspire you to bloom where you’re planted, embracing every step of your journey. For those who are medics, I would love to help you learn to love your job.
EMS is not just a stepping stone; it’s a vital part of our healthcare system. Sure, it can be utilized as a stepping stone, just like any other job. There are various pathways that can be taken or you can work as a medic for 40 years! I recently worked with a Physician who started as a medic, to PA, then MD over 20 years ago. Everyone has their own path and timeline.
Addendum (like in an EMR): I just finished my first year as an ER PA in a rural hospital. I wouldn't change a thing. My experience in EMS has been a significant factor in shaping this past year. It has not only opened doors for opportunities in PA School but also introduced me to the incredible rural hospital where I now work. I am deeply grateful for this journey.
I also ended up FINALLY publishing this blog post because last week I was asked by one of our ER docs if I looking to be more involved in Trauma because I kept having conversations about it, and he recognized my passion for it, etc. and I said yes... while I would love that, what I would REALLY love, is to be more involved with EMS. He knew this, and we had previously talked about it, but before that, I was still such a baby PA, and while I still am, maybe I have at least reached Toddler status. I was unsure what this involvement would look like, but I knew I was talking to the right guy. A few days ago, our prehospital coordinator pulled me aside and said she had talked to that doctor, and he mentioned I wanted to be more involved. She asked if I wanted to do a CE in two weeks, so here I am! Also, Serena, if you're reading this and don't like words of affirmation, you should probably done reading this. If you are not Serena and know who she is ... isn't she such a B.A. ?! When I was a PA student doing my clinical at the hospital, I was intimidated by her when she was a tech, tbh. Still, I realized how much passion she had for EMS and the community she was serving, and it became a healthy, admirable intimidation factor instead of a scary one. She has ALWAYS wanted to go into emergency medicine in some capacity. Now she is the NEW nurse on nights 😉
Despite different paths I think, just like me, the EMS in her will always be at the forefront. It will always be a strength and a large part of her personality and her fight to be better for every patient and every person she comes across. SHE IS ONLY 27!!! She is a medic, an ER RN, works on a fixed wing ambulance, she is an educator, a mom, a wife, our prehospital coordinator, a life long learner and an incredible person. She is the perfect example of being confident but not cocky; she goes the extra mile, and she NEVER stops learning.
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