u/Braveheart117

Background
Hey y’all, I’m an M.D. student in Louisiana. I used to be an NR-EMT-B in college, but my National Registry cert and Louisiana EMT-B license have both been expired for about 5 years. I’m trying to figure out the fastest, cheapest legitimate route to regain EMT cert and Louisiana licensure.

Context
I want to work and make some money while finishing med school and reapplying for the 2027 residency match. I’m not an MD physician yet. Anticipated graduation is May 2027, and Step 2 is my only remaining requirement. Realistically, I may have 1–2 years before residency, so my main priority right now is stable income while staying clinically active and connected to EMS.

Lagniappe
I’ve completed all med school clinical rotations/coursework, but I don’t know if that helps with EMT re-entry, licensure, or any fast-track EMS options. I have time for condensed or time-intensive training, but very limited funds. Long-term, I’m interested in EMS and tactical medicine, so this isn’t just a random side job.

Question
What route makes the most sense? I’ve read about 24-hour refreshers and 40-hour CE requirements, but I’m not sure what actually applies to my situation. I’m open to anything accelerated, partially online, employer-sponsored, reimbursed with a contract, or heck, even the zero-to-hero paramedic pathway if that’s possible.

TL;DR
Former NR-EMT-B in Louisiana, expired ~5 years. Not an MD yet, anticipated May ’27. Fastest/cheapest legit route back to EMT-Basic cert/license, or should I go straight toward paramedic?

Background
Hey y’all, I’m an M.D. student in Louisiana. I used to be an NR-EMT-B in college, but my National Registry cert and Louisiana EMT-B license have both been expired for about 5 years. I’m trying to figure out the fastest, cheapest legitimate route to regain EMT cert and Louisiana licensure.

Context
I want to work and make some money while finishing med school and reapplying for the 2027 residency match. I’m not an MD physician yet. Anticipated graduation is May 2027, and Step 2 is my only remaining requirement. Realistically, I may have 1–2 years before residency, so my main priority right now is stable income while staying clinically active and connected to EMS.

Lagniappe
I’ve completed all med school clinical rotations/coursework, but I don’t know if that helps with EMT re-entry, licensure, or any fast-track EMS options. I have time for condensed or time-intensive training, but very limited funds. Long-term, I’m interested in EMS and tactical medicine, so this isn’t just a random side job.

Question
What route makes the most sense? I’ve read about 24-hour refreshers and 40-hour CE requirements, but I’m not sure what actually applies to my situation. I’m open to anything accelerated, partially online, employer-sponsored, reimbursed with a contract, or heck, even the zero-to-hero paramedic pathway if that’s possible.

TL;DR
Former NR-EMT-B in Louisiana, expired ~5 years. Not an MD yet, anticipated May ’27. Fastest/cheapest legit route back to EMT-Basic cert/license, or should I go straight toward paramedic?

Context: South Louisiana Cajun here. I’ve got about 1 year until I can start residency training after being almost done with medical school. I haven’t graduated yet because I still have to pass the USMLE Step 2 exam, but I’ve completed 99% of the MD degree: clinical rotations, coursework, credits, and even interviewed at 10+ Family Medicine residency programs.

Specialties I love: EM, FM, sports med, lifestyle, and orthopedics.

Back in college, I played football, graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in Biochem, and also got my NR EMT-Basic license, which is expired right now. I’m big into sports, love working with my hands, know how to write EHR notes, strong at building rapport with patients, comfortable with certain procedures, and comfortable in both OR and clinic settings.

Problem: I currently have zero income and need a temporary paid job for 1–2 years max. I’m not an active student anymore, so I can’t receive federal student aid. I’m also trying to afford rent, living expenses, and about $2,000–3,000 in truck repairs. To pay for the fingerprints needed to substitute teach, I did some good ole fashioned manual labor and yard work.

Reflection: I don’t know much about the pharma or ortho medical device rep business, but I know those roles can pay well. I thought that path could be a good fit because they may not have to train me as much on medical terminology, patient care, or physician communication. Onboarding might be faster. And I can start immediately.

Another idea is getting recertified as an EMT and working on an ambulance. I’m also considering tutoring or substitute teaching. Basically I want to maximize this time before residency through something meaningful that’ll help shape me into a better person and future physician. Strengthening the CV sounds great, but the main goal is stable income. I could do generic scribe work, but that’d be a last resort since it’s usually low pay and minimally engaging.

Question: Given my background, what paid job would you try to lock down that would help in the long run? Curious to hear what Reddit thinks.

P.S. If any physician, researcher, or medical device representative sees this, I’d love to connect. I’m a hard worker, coachable, and eager to help.

Context: South Louisiana Cajun here. I’ve got about 1 year until I can start residency training after being almost done with medical school. I haven’t graduated yet because I still have to pass the USMLE Step 2 exam, but I’ve completed 99% of the MD degree: clinical rotations, coursework, credits, and even interviewed at 10+ Family Medicine residency programs.

Specialties I love: EM, FM, sports med, lifestyle, and orthopedics.

Back in college, I played football, graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in Biochem, and also got my NR EMT-Basic license, which is expired right now. I’m big into sports, love working with my hands, know how to write EHR notes, strong at building rapport with patients, comfortable with certain procedures, and comfortable in both OR and clinic settings.

Problem: I currently have zero income and need a temporary paid job for 1–2 years max. I’m not an active student anymore, so I can’t receive federal student aid. I’m also trying to afford rent, living expenses, and about $2,000–3,000 in truck repairs. To pay for the fingerprints needed to substitute teach, I did some good ole fashioned manual labor and yard work.

Reflection: I don’t know much about the pharma or ortho medical device rep business, but I know those roles can pay well. I thought that path could be a good fit because they may not have to train me as much on medical terminology, patient care, or physician communication. Onboarding might be faster. And I can start immediately.

Another idea is getting recertified as an EMT and working on an ambulance. I’m also considering tutoring or substitute teaching. Basically I want to maximize this time before residency through something meaningful that’ll help shape me into a better person and future physician. Strengthening the CV sounds great, but the main goal is stable income. I could do generic scribe work, but that’d be a last resort since it’s usually low pay and minimally engaging.

Question: Given my background, what paid job would you try to lock down that would help in the long run? Curious to hear what Reddit thinks.

P.S. If any physician, researcher, or medical device representative sees this, I’d love to connect. I’m a hard worker, coachable, and eager to help.

Context: So I’m done with clinical rotations, earned all credits for the MD degree, even went through residency interviews. But I have to take some time off to iron out some personal issues (medical/financial). After I get all my ducks in a row, I’ll complete my last requirement which is taking Step2 exam and then I’ll reapply for the residency match.

Not being in school rn means I can’t rely on federal student aid so that means I have 0 funds. I gotta find a job. I’ve got all the training leading up to getting an MD, but without the actual degree yet. I need funds to cover bills/rent/gas. Was thinking about looking into a Stryker Ortho med rep since I’m comfortable in the OR. I’m good at building rapport with patients. I’m from the South, play sports, and use to be an EMT but my license is expired. I could be a regular med assistant at a clinic, but I’m an adrenaline junkie and would get bored. In the meantime, I’m just doing yard work/manual labor until I find something cool, engaging, and decent pay.

Legit Q for reddit: what job should I try to get + your reasoning behind it?

About me: Former college football player, BS degree in Biochemistry, was a NR-EMT-Basic before med school. I like working with my hands. Teamwork makes the dream work. Since I’ve completed all clinical rotations in med school, I’m good at anatomy, patient care, healthcare communication. In my free time, I’d help scrub in to help ortho with total joints for my workout. I only take the stairs.

Residency is on hold for me atm (95-99% done with MD, last req is to take Step 2). I only know about stryker ortho med reps. The Med device world is not my forté. Idk how to best phrase it, but I need a temp job (1-2 years) to make some money. I’d work my ass off if given an opportunity. Any tips on landing a med device job? If the advice sucks, I’ll just ask the ortho folks who I need to meet face with.

Posting from a burner because I’m embarrassed and don’t want to identify myself.

I was recently dismissed from a US MD program after completing all required coursework, credits, and clinical rotations. The only thing left for the MD degree was Step 2 CK.

The dismissal was tied to missed Step 2 timeline/deadline requirements and poor email communication/professionalism concerns. I’m not going to sugarcoat it: I handled it badly. I was dealing with an ongoing medical condition and financial problems, which turned into depression, chronic stress, social withdrawal, and avoidance. I lost about 35 pounds during this period. I should have communicated earlier and asked for help. I didn’t.

I now have medical documentation and am doing better, but the documentation was not reviewed before the dismissal decision.

The part I’m stuck on is that I never got to speak directly with the promotions/progression committee before dismissal to explain what happened, take responsibility, provide documentation, and lay out a concrete plan to finish. I also got locked out of my student email shortly after asking Academic Affairs for a Zoom/phone call.

I’ve already contacted ombuds. The dismissal email says the decision is “not subject to appeal,” but the school also appears to have a formal appeal process, which is confusing.

I know I messed up. I’m not trying to dodge consequences. I’m trying to figure out whether there is any realistic path to preserve my ability to finish after completing basically the entire MD program.

What would you do next? Reconsideration/appeal anyway? Disability office/ADA route? Education attorney? Dean/registrar? Stay of dismissal? Readmission/transfer options?

Has anyone seen reinstatement, delayed graduation, probation/remediation, or readmission happen this late when Step 2 CK was the only thing left?

Posting from a burner because I’m embarrassed and don’t want to identify myself.

I was recently dismissed from a US MD program after completing all coursework, credits, and clinical rotations. The only thing left for the MD degree was Step 2 CK.

The dismissal was tied to missed Step 2 timeline/deadline requirements and poor email communication/professionalism concerns. I’m not pretending I handled it well. I had an ongoing medical condition and financial problems that spiraled into depression, chronic stress, social withdrawal, and avoidance. I lost about 35 pounds. I should have communicated earlier and asked for help, but I didn’t.

I now have medical documentation and am doing better, but it was not reviewed before the dismissal decision.

What I’m struggling with is that I never got to speak directly with the promotions/progression committee before dismissal, explain what happened, own it, provide documentation, and present a concrete plan to finish. I was also locked out of my student email shortly after asking Academic Affairs for a Zoom/phone call.

I’ve already contacted ombuds. The dismissal email says “not subject to appeal,” but the school appears to have a formal appeals process.

For residents/attendings who have seen students go through serious academic/admin issues: is there any realistic path back this late when Step 2 CK is the only remaining requirement?

What would you do first: appeal/reconsideration, disability/ADA review, education attorney, dean/registrar escalation, stay of dismissal, readmission, or transfer options?

Location: Louisiana

Posting from a burner because I’m trying not to identify myself.

I was recently dismissed from medical school (US MD program) after completing all coursework, credits, and clinical rotations. The only remaining requirement for the MD degree was Step 2 CK.

The dismissal was tied to missed Step 2 timeline/deadline requirements and poor email communication/professionalism concerns. I accept that I handled things poorly. I had an ongoing medical condition and financial problems that led to depression, chronic stress, social withdrawal, and avoidance. I now have medical documentation, but it was not reviewed before the dismissal decision.

I was not allowed to speak directly with the promotions/progression committee before dismissal to explain, provide documentation, take responsibility, and present a concrete plan to finish. I was also locked out of my student email shortly after asking Academic Affairs for a Zoom/phone call.

I’ve already contacted ombuds. The dismissal email says the decision is “not subject to appeal,” but the school appears to have a formal appeals process, which is confusing.

I’m trying to figure out what to do next to preserve any path to finish: appeal/reconsideration, disability/ADA process, attorney, registrar/dean escalation, stay of dismissal, readmission, or transfer options.

What type of attorney should I contact for this: higher education, disability/ADA, administrative law, civil rights, or student defense? What documents should I gather before a consult?

Posting anonymously and not asking for legal advice on the merits, just trying to figure out what kind of lawyer/process fits this situation.

I was recently dismissed from a US MD program after completing all required coursework, credits, and clinical rotations. The only remaining requirement for the MD degree was Step 2 CK.

The dismissal was tied to missed Step 2 timeline/deadline requirements and poor email communication/professionalism concerns. I accept that I handled things badly. I was dealing with an ongoing medical condition and financial problems that led to depression, chronic stress, social withdrawal, and avoidance. I now have medical documentation, but it was not reviewed before the dismissal decision.

I was not given a chance to speak directly with the promotions/progression committee before dismissal to explain, provide documentation, take responsibility, and present a plan to finish. I was also locked out of my student email shortly after asking Academic Affairs for a Zoom/phone call.

I contacted ombuds. The dismissal email says “not subject to appeal,” but the school appears to have a formal appeals process.

What type of attorney usually handles this kind of situation: higher education, disability/ADA, administrative law, civil rights, student defense, or something else?

Also, what should someone bring to an initial consult besides the dismissal email, student handbook/policies, transcript, timeline, medical documentation, and email records?