Coming back to EMS

[captchaz55]

If you worked EMS, and Volley'D for a number of years and was either injured or sick of the EMS system and had to leave or escape EMS...How many came back because it's the Greatest Adrenalin Rush around, knew it was a just a huge part that made them who they are today... If you had to come back please tell me how your experience was and how you dealt with "JUST BEING A DRIVER"....
Thanks

C

 

[el Murpharino]

I had to leave EMS for a few years when I joined the Air Force in 2002. I got out in 2007 and came back to the job - not because it was the "greatest adrenaline rush in the world", but because I enjoy medicine - I'll go snowboarding or cliff diving if I need an adrenaline rush. There is something about being in a field where you can constantly learn and improve. The technology and information is constantly changing, and you have a tangible impact on people's lives. During my time in the AF, I took some college classes in biology and A&P, knowing that I wasn't going to make active duty military a career and was going to return to EMS when I got out. It made the transition much easier, in addition to taking a refresher class.

As far as being "just a driver"...I can't help you there man. Maybe see if you can hop in a paramedic class, or go someplace where they let CC's tech in the back.

 

[BEorP]

Do people really get a good adrenalin rush from the job?

 

[BossyCow]

Do people really get a good adrenalin rush from the job?

Some people do it for the adrenalin rush. If that's what's motivating you, you will probably burn out fairly quickly. I can generally tell who's there for that and who is actually invested in EMS because the adrenalin junkies are first on scene and first to leave(whacker) have all the new gear (whacker), buy every toy that comes along (whacker) and have advertising all over their bodies and vehicles telling everyone how important they are (whacker).

They are also the first ones to leave a scene (Oh... just a general illness call? I gotta get to work) Never able to stay and clean the rig afterwards, don't show up for the clean the station details and spend more time in class talking about some cool call they've seen than they do learning. On scene, you can generally find them talking to bystanders or law enforcement instead of kneeling at the side of the pt.

Adrenalin is a side effect of what we do. The tones can give us all a jolt. That is why so many in EMS suffer from adrenal exhaustion. It's not a good thing.

 

[imurphy]

The adrenelin rush is short lived IMO. The first, maybe, month you're enjoying the rush, but after that you get used to it, substitute it for coffee, and find somethign else you love about the job.

I have to say I agree with Murph. I'm still in the job because you never stop learnign and no day is the same. Cliche but I don't care!

People who are only in it for the rush leave pretty early!

 

[Epi-do]

After working as an EMT for about 5 years, I left a very busy service on maternity leave and never went back. I was tired of dealing with the bad attitudes of those around me and felt I needed a break from it all. After my maternity leave was up, I started working for a pediatrician. While I liked the people I worked with, I hated the job. I was layed off when the office began having finanacial issues. I collected unemployment for 6 months. During that time, I also went back to school and received an AAS as a paralegal.

During the time I was in school, I made a phone call to an old partner who was now the operations manager at a local private service and went back to work part-time on the ambulance. I worked there for just under 2 years, eventually going full-time. I then went to work for the fire department I am currently with as a civilian EMT, up until this last week, when I started working as a medic.

I love my current job, and have no intentions of leaving anytime in the future. I am excited to be "starting over" with all the learning that comes with working in a new capacity as a medic. I like the autonimy that comes with caring for a patient in the back of my truck. I like not being stuck in an office all day long, or doing the exact same thing day in and day out. I enjoy doing patient care and learning something new from both my patients and my coworkers. My only regret is that I didn't "find" this field of work sooner, and spent over 10 years working at jobs I hated just to make ends meet.

Are there days that I would rather not pick up that frequent flier, or policy changes I don't like? Sure there are, but regardless of your chosen profession or place of employment there are always things you won't like or days where you feel "off" and would rather be doing something else. No job is 100% perfect. However, I can say that where I am at right now the negatives don't even begin to come close to the positives. I can't imagine working in any other profession.

 

[mycrofft]

Hoorah Epi-Do!

I thought I'd left EMS when my first and only swing at wokring in an ER fell through, except my Guard unit kept me at it during exercises, then the doc in the box I worked at taught me phlebotomy which made me the best IV guy they had for a while, and then with the jails...after eighteen years there I went away for two years recently to case manage, but returned last Feb.
EMS is indicative of your character, formative of your character. I for one can't ever totally get it out of my blood.
PS: Tones? How about big brass BELLS right over your bed? The adrenals kicked so hard you could feel your back spasm. (And for ten months I got to do the ringing! heh heh).

 

[KEVD18]

the only time i still get a rush on this job is when a call i was sure was going to go south doesnt. and then its not so much a rush as pride and happiness that we were able to actaully make a difference.

its been years since i got a charge out of lights and sirens and all the other whacker crap. even then, it lasted for about an hour.

i was once involved in an accident while responding to a call. you knwo the general rule of thumb that fairly well regardless of the circumstances, the responding apparatus is responsible because, since there was a crash, its tough to argue that the driver was operating with due regard? well that didnt apply in this case. i wont bore you with the details, but the other operator was wholely and clearly responsible. it sucked getting to the point where the insurance companies, the cops and the judge accepted that. after that day, and that was only about a year into my career, i didnt enjoy the code 3 calls, i dreaded them.

 

[Jon]

the only time i still get a rush on this job is when a call i was sure was going to go south doesnt. and then its not so much a rush as pride and happiness that we were able to actaully make a difference....

AMEN!

i was once involved in an accident while responding to a call. you knwo the general rule of thumb that fairly well regardless of the circumstances, the responding apparatus is responsible because, since there was a crash, its tough to argue that the driver was operating with due regard? well that didnt apply in this case. i wont bore you with the details, but the other operator was wholely and clearly responsible. it sucked getting to the point where the insurance companies, the cops and the judge accepted that. after that day, and that was only about a year into my career, i didnt enjoy the code 3 calls, i dreaded them.

It does happen - I am in the middle of a similar situation now. Once it is resolved, I'll be discussing the entire incident.

 

[KEVD18]

AMEN!


It does happen - I am in the middle of a similar situation now. Once it is resolved, I'll be discussing the entire incident.

yeah it sucks the big one.

 

[EMTCop86]

I was a volunteer fire fighter for a few years. I left because I got burned out and needed a change. I was at the station more then the paid guys were! I miss it and I plan on getting my EMT. I liked the medical part more then fighting fires. I love to help people when they are in need. I never have and never will do it for the "adrenaline rush" IMHO if that is the reason you do it, maybe you should consider sky diving and not EMS.

 

[captchaz55]

Ems

I had to leave EMS for a few years when I joined the Air Force in 2002. I got out in 2007 and came back to the job - not because it was the "greatest adrenaline rush in the world", but because I enjoy medicine - I'll go snowboarding or cliff diving if I need an adrenaline rush. There is something about being in a field where you can constantly learn and improve. The technology and information is constantly changing, and you have a tangible impact on people's lives. During my time in the AF, I took some college classes in biology and A&P, knowing that I wasn't going to make active duty military a career and was going to return to EMS when I got out. It made the transition much easier, in addition to taking a refresher class.

As far as being "just a driver"...I can't help you there man. Maybe see if you can hop in a paramedic class, or go someplace where they let CC's tech in the back.

I appreciate your reply because it is research that I'm doing..
I'm glad someone said " because I enjoy medicine" because it gives me a broad spectrum of opinions or reasons that people left EMS and how they felt they had or could return. It was good to see EMS personnels feelings on Adrenalin rush and whether it is a reason people do EMS or Do they just feel another reason. I'm confused on the CC's tech in the back thing...
That question was meant for Techs who were certified any Level, and when they came back their certification expired, and had to just be a driver until you were able to refresh.
I'm taking a refresher BLS EMT-Basic course this December, and I will be looking to either move up in EM or take a paramedic class

 

[captchaz55]

Some people do it for the adrenalin rush. If that's what's motivating you, you will probably burn out fairly quickly. I can generally tell who's there for that and who is actually invested in EMS because the adrenalin junkies are first on scene and first to leave(whacker) have all the new gear (whacker), buy every toy that comes along (whacker) and have advertising all over their bodies and vehicles telling everyone how important they are (whacker).

They are also the first ones to leave a scene (Oh... just a general illness call? I gotta get to work) Never able to stay and clean the rig afterwards, don't show up for the clean the station details and spend more time in class talking about some cool call they've seen than they do learning. On scene, you can generally find them talking to bystanders or law enforcement instead of kneeling at the side of the pt.

Adrenalin is a side effect of what we do. The tones can give us all a jolt. That is why so many in EMS suffer from adrenal exhaustion. It's not a good thing.

Bossy Cow... I'm with the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation fisheries Bureau. I'm working on tying EMS into my job now by means of Emergency Management for the states natural resources. I'm trying to do some research on reasons EMS personnel leave, and how hard or easy it is to come back. For both my own experience and for the benefit of others who are trying or want to come back to EMS.
I believe that a low percentage of EMS volunteers or paid personnel do EMS because we either care about others. You have taught there is another meaning for adrenalin rush, and that whacker (also buff,buffy,) are associated with adrenalin junkies. I for one don't need anymore adrenalin...That was only to prove or disprove my beliefs.

I agree that Adrenalin is a side effect of EMS, Also insomnia ,loneliness,hunger, mood swings,broken bodies,coma,Death.

 

[captchaz55]

After working as an EMT for about 5 years, I left a very busy service on maternity leave and never went back. I was tired of dealing with the bad attitudes of those around me and felt I needed a break from it all. After my maternity leave was up, I started working for a pediatrician. While I liked the people I worked with, I hated the job. I was layed off when the office began having finanacial issues. I collected unemployment for 6 months. During that time, I also went back to school and received an AAS as a paralegal.

During the time I was in school, I made a phone call to an old partner who was now the operations manager at a local private service and went back to work part-time on the ambulance. I worked there for just under 2 years, eventually going full-time. I then went to work for the fire department I am currently with as a civilian EMT, up until this last week, when I started working as a medic.

I love my current job, and have no intentions of leaving anytime in the future. I am excited to be "starting over" with all the learning that comes with working in a new capacity as a medic. I like the autonimy that comes with caring for a patient in the back of my truck. I like not being stuck in an office all day long, or doing the exact same thing day in and day out. I enjoy doing patient care and learning something new from both my patients and my coworkers. My only regret is that I didn't "find" this field of work sooner, and spent over 10 years working at jobs I hated just to make ends meet.

Are there days that I would rather not pick up that frequent flier, or policy changes I don't like? Sure there are, but regardless of your chosen profession or place of employment there are always things you won't like or days where you feel "off" and would rather be doing something else. No job is 100% perfect. However, I can say that where I am at right now the negatives don't even begin to come close to the positives. I can't imagine working in any other profession.

Epi-do..Right on. That's the same way that I'm feeling coming back. It is the job it self that helps shape us to who we are today.

 

[el Murpharino]

What I mean is that if you're a NYS critical care tech, you should be able to provide patient care in the back rather than just drive. But seeing what you said later clears it up for me.