Student paramedic 2024

chemicals404

HI all

Whats the chances of getting into the next opening ?

Was in top 50 of last recruitment but am over 150 overall

ad1234

Would Anyone know how they decide panel numbers? Is it based on test scores alone or is there things you could put in place ahead of applying that would get you a lower panel number?

Also has anyone heard of a time frame for the next recruitment drive? It feels like it'll not happen at this rate :(

sudocremegg

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123083170#Comment_123083170

It's solely based on your interview score

sudocremegg

How is the college for the current intake going? Ye all surviving?

ew999

Does anybody know when they will have another expression of interest?

chemicals404

Does anyone know if you can do the medical before the date or in another country

Reason is Im wanting to go to the USA for summer camps but if called up in SEPT i would need to be back for medical

Any advice?

madpodz

Hi, does anyone know when next class intake is in 2025? and where would they post it? thanks

Saltydog87

Heya, I’m only at the waiting list stage myself but based on everything I’ve read next intake would be September . EOI possible early summer time . Always good to write to NRS to ask for your number on total panel as there is a current panel and supplementary panel running (2024). I am part of supplementary 2024 panel am I am 194 overall . Realistically I think I’ll be January 2026 which suits me totally fine. I’m specially waiting for Tallaght only which may delay me starting .

From my side, I am 37 and doing a career change from a good senior sales role which to date has come with a good salary. I am really interested in hearing any “mature” student experiences . Did anyone start at a similar age and with a young family ? How did you find the salary cut ? How was the class socially ?? I currently have 2 young children (6 and 2) and I’m hoping that maybe the shift pattern will give me more time for just life and being a bit more present with them . How did everyone else find the change to shift ? Any feedback or experience anyone can share is greatly appreciated. Just trying to put together a full pic before I jump ship

ad1234

I Found a document online, basically the hse plans... under the ambulance service it said the plan was to recruit an additional 180 whole time equivalents, commencing July 2025...

Would anyone know would this mean hiring those due to finish college, or would recruitment open in July, or they look at pannel members again then?

The document is the national service plan 2025.

bJWXNIXWNXOW

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123177211#Comment_123177211

Great to hear someone in a similar position. Same age, kids etc if you don't mind me asking how did you contact the NRS to find your overall panel position?

Saltydog87

heya, oh that’s great to hear :). just literally write to them direct. It’s the support staff email address. If you just quote your name the and your current supp panel number they should be able to find you .

supportstaff@hse.ie

sudocremegg

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123177211#Comment_123177211

There was plenty of mature students in my class, majority of them 30's and 40's, with a few in their 50's. Many people making career changes and with kids. Having a family was difficult for some as when you're in college the course work is intense. That Monday to Friday grind will give you time for little else.

A few people with kids in my class were sent to stations several counties away. Some of them opted to do 2 hour round trip commutes just to see their children each day which was not possible at all. But I stress those were the unlucky few, most got to stay within their counties.

The class socially can be great, or terrible. Most classes get on just fine. Keep your head down and don't rock the boat or be a loudmouth or a useless sack. Get stuck in. There'll be plenty of nights out and socialising especially in the Tallaght college.

There have bee some very bad classes before, these classes consisted of mostly young people under 25. Those students generally are the worst of the worst, they're too immature. One class recently lost about a dozen people and was full of drama, bunch of teenagers. Not fit for the job.

I love seeing mature students (i.e close to 30+) come out on the road to learn. The students who are not long out of secondary school can be quite difficult.

So you'll be fine OP.

The shift patterns can give you exceptional time off, but be warned they can have you away from home for very long periods of time. Yes you might get 5 days off some weeks, or 4 weeks annual leave in a row if played right but there are plenty of days where you're up at 5:30am and not home until after midnight and expected to be back in the next day if the day goes tits up.

When you secure a line, and are no longer relief staff is when you'll really feel the benefits of shift work but up until then you are given shifts as required.

What kind of salary were you on in the sales role?

Saltydog87

Thanks for the info Sudocreme. As I understand it the heavy class room " element is mainly confined to the first 12 weeks. Like totally get you will be in and out for like driving lessons and test but the most intense/ monday - Friday element is just in that first 12 weeks? Is this 12 weeks the longest period you should expect to be class room based?

Great to hear there was a few mature representatives. I actually also met a few my age during the interview stage in Galway and honestly everyone was lovely. No issues there at all. I think I am ok with the long days or the fact that some days my go awry on you. The way I have it in my head is that come hell or high water you should have at least 3 days off to get yourself back in line and to catch up on the life things you may have missed, such as spending time with the kids. I'm also that when I'm off, i am off so no requirement to be checking in on things or what not?

In terms of salary, I am currently on 80k annually. I have a range of perks which to be fair I wouldn't expect to extend to the public sector ( 40% bonus, private pension and private health care). I think I will be ok on the standard 30k for a year or two as planning to do some taxi work or chauffeuring if needs be to plug a hole as financial holes come up. Do many people have a separate part time number while in the first 3 years ? How did you manage yourself?

sudocremegg

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123250438#Comment_123250438

Yes the initial 12 weeks is the longest session, the other 2 stints in the college are 3 and 5 weeks.

I think thats the healthiest outlook to have on the shift work to be honest. I've seen so many people absolutely mentally destroyed by the job because they make it their life or get too hung up on the late finishes. I think you'll be grand and seem to have your head screwed on but if there's one thing I wish I could scream at new recruits is this job is only a job do not let it become your life.

Bit of a drop in wages from 80k. It's possible to earn 80k at the top of the scale with a bit of overtime but you'll have to put in the work. You'll definitely be taking home closer to 40k in the first year anyways.

In the first year no most don't have a separate job, the amount of course work is a lot, you'll be on your laptop a lot during and between shifts doing NASC and eventually UCC work.

In the second and third year you can take up overtime shifts. It pays double time so doing other jobs just isn't worth it when you can do a handy 10 or 12 hour shift and take home 300ish quid.

chemicals404

Hi

Has anyone heard any news since the last EOI ?

When can we expect to here?

Saltydog87

only a pure guess based on previous timelines but I would say June-ish before you see mails for September start date … I got my EOI for Jan 2025 start date on the 30th September 2024 so you have to think similar timeline applies

imjess1223

Hi everyone I’m just a bit confused and hoping could shed some light for me, so I did my interview back in aug 2024 and I got 10th on my panel, I didn’t get it in January and Iv asked for my overall panel number and I’m 122 but in the letter I have from the interview it says I’m off the panel in Aug 2025 is this true so if I don’t get it for September I will have to start the whole process ?

bJWXNIXWNXOW

I'm wondering has anyone heard of or known of someone on the overall panel spot of 200 getting a place on the course

imjess1223

hey I could be wrong here but this is what I’m taking from reading other messages, so I think since your 200 on the panel now when they take the next intake they will take around 100 students give or take and if you don’t get it then you will be higher in the overall panel for the next intake if that makes sense so if you don’t get it in September you will be no. 100 on the panel for the next intake i. think .. it could be wrong but this is what I’m gathering.

bJWXNIXWNXOW

Thank you hope you're correct.

chemicals404

I emailed them before last intake and was around 220 approx , now im approx 150

Not sure how many they take at a time or if some people pull out if you get an offer

I did get an expresion of intrest last time.

When does the panel before the last one created expire ? ( That could boost us up)

bJWXNIXWNXOW

Everyone on the panel gets and offer of expression and I think it's just down to your overall number if your lucky enough to get it. Well come October I will 1 year on the panel the last intake. So definitely need it to be extended by a year.

bJWXNIXWNXOW

https://www.nationalambulanceservice.ie/news/news-2025/nas-welcomes-approval-of-investment-in-2025.html

Have you all seen this. Now it doesn't say it allows for extra recruitments. But the potential for a 4th college in cork is surely promising

imjess1223

that’s so good I hope the new college is included in the next intake, may I ask what year did you join the panel I think I was august 2024

bJWXNIXWNXOW

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123420664#Comment_123420664

Hi, yes I'm on the same panel from August 2024

imjess1223

oooo so you never know we could be in the same class what was your number on the over all panel

Breegemc

Wondering would anyone know when the next expression of interest would be going out

1233ke

Does anyone know if they'll be taking in classes this September? Wondering how likely it is at this stage.

chemicals404

Ive heard but could be wrong , that EOI for septs are usally sent out in June

1233ke

Hope you're right, it's a long waiting game!