Being in the medical field, I can honestly say, it is something one can only understand when they are in it. It still can’t be described. Especially with EMS. Rather you are in Private transport, strictly 911, a combination of the two, or if you are in flight, it can be tough. In May of 2016, I agreed to become apart of a field and line of work that I didn’t at first think was for me. It always takes a certain type of person to go into a hospital and deal with people who are sick or go inside their house to help them. In saying that, and meeting my share of people who have come and gone, I configured a list of reasons why it may not be it. If you can overcome these potential problems, then I believe you may just make a 12 hours shift on the dark side!
1. Money
We might as well get this out the way. We don’t get paid that much. At all! If you become an EMT or Medic, or Flight RNo or RRT for the money, I can promise you in a short while the money will not be worth it. In some companies, you will get paid decent money, but sometimes not enough to keep you around. After having a patient poop on your cot, or getting yelled at or swatted by a combative patient, money will be thrown out of the window, and pure desire to help a person in need will have to take over in the hard times. Money is great, but happiness in your job is always better.
2. Lack of Empathy
Unfortunately, in this field, we meet many people who are in a bad place in their life health wise. Rather in private service, CCT care (critical care transport), or 911, we are the people they meet on some of their worse days. Lack of empathy not only displays bad rep for your company but also can alter patient autonomy between you and a patient.
Let’s be honest, some people may be seeking medical treatment because of something they can’t control, others may be in the hospital for an overdose for the third time in the past six months. IT IS NOT OUR JOB TO JUDGE! It is our job to be an open ear for the patient and the best advocate we can in order to get them the proper resources to make a full recovery. Always be the caretaker you would want your loved one to have!
3. High-Pressure Situations
Working in EMS can always be unpredictable. You never know what you’re going to get with each run. You could walk in thinking the patient is one way and they are the complete opposite. We don’t get to decide if we treat the patient or walk away because things are a bit tough. Especially for those who work for a Fire Department or strictly 911. You treat the patient, come cluttered room, rain, snow, in a ditch on the scene of a car crash, in a chaotic trauma room. Distraught family members, combative patient. You do your best and you don’t give up. Think clearly and function clearly and logically in chaotic environments.
I must be honest, I didn’t think this would be the end of me. But I promise once things hit the fan, you’d be surprised what you are capable of. Instinct kicks in, you suddenly remember things to look for, everyone may look like they are just running around but it becomes a functional chaotic organized mess that helps the patient in the end. After the run is done and adrenaline wears down, you’ll know or not. The best thing about EMS is the team around you will never let you fail. We are all a team to teach each other and do the best for the patient. Again, Patient Advocacy is number one!
4. You may Get Hurt
This may look not that serious, but underneath this, my entire nail and nail bed had gotten ripped off trying to work. Yes, it hurt! Yes, it bled a lot. But I wrapped it up and still went on with the rest of my shift. Trust me, I’ve done worse. Sprang my ankle on the field, been scratched on the face by a patient. I’ve been bitten, punched, kicked, and verbally abused. But the love for the job keeps me clocking in at the station. Plus let’s be honest, the stories I could tell are pretty cool! We get hurt sometimes. It’s apart of the job. Having tough skin to getting physically hurt and getting your feelings hurt is apart of the job. If you can obtain that, welcome aboard!
5. Ego
I would be lying if I said that I didn’t have pride with what I do. Medical field and dealing with body fluids aren’t everyone’s cup of tea. That’s perfectly okay! Everyone is gifted with different things. One of mine just happens to be able to handle the possibility of dealing with spit, blood, poo, and everything else in between. (I still struggle with spit and poo) But the point is to not let your pride and ego completely consume you to the point where you think you are God’s direct gift to humanity.
Don’t be that Medic or EMT that no one really likes because they act like they know everything and are what we call a Para-God. It’s frankly annoying. Have some pride. But balance it out with some humility. NO ONE IS PERFECT. We all have brain farts. That’s why we have great partners to have our backs. We are not invincible in this line of work. Not everything will go our way. Rule of thumb, don’t be a douche. Be an active part of the team and we can all WOOT WOOT together in harmony!
