Getting back into EMS after many years away

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EMT2000

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Hello everyone,

I thought I'd jump in here after being out of the EMS field since approximately 2006/2007. I live in New England and I first became an EMT 22 years ago when I was just 18 years old (I totally just aged myself). I have continued working in healthcare since then, but EMS has always been my first love. I've recently been looking for a change and have been seriously considering getting back into EMS. I know that there are significant EMT/paramedic staffing shortages in my area (and healthcare shortages in general) and I've had several friends urging me to get back into it. Sadly, my husband very unexpectedly passed away a couple of weeks ago. He was also an EMT and worked in Boston for many years. We both got out of EMS at the same time and he went into nursing. So, now I'm kind of at a crossroad trying to decide what I should do. Obviously, I've been feeling a bit lost these last couple of weeks, but I'm getting to the point where I feel like this is my time to "get back out there." I always loved EMS and have missed it for quite some time. It used to be such a huge part of my life.

Anyway, I figured joining this forum might give me that extra push I need to jump back in. I'm looking forward to reading, learning, refreshing myself, and participating in conversations.
 
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Welcome to EMTLIFE!

I'm sorry for your loss. Now is a great time to take a refresher course and just back into EMS!

Even if not a long-term career, the direction EMS provides and family-like comradery of EMS is hard to beat.
 
Sorry to hear about your husband. Whatever you decide about EMS, I hope you find comfort and purpose.

I grew up just outside of Boston. Still my favorite place.
 
Thank you so much! My husband worked for Boston EMS for about 8 years. He was born and raised there. We had actually both been discussing getting back into EMS in the several months before his sudden passing. We have both missed it so much.
 
EMS can be hard to let go, but it's not necessarily the same as you remember. That could be good or bad.
 
mgr22 said:
EMS can be hard to let go, but it's not necessarily the same as you remember. That could be good or bad.
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I'm sure that things have changed a great deal over the years since I was last active. It's been such a long time, but it has always been a part of me. I've been feeling strongly about returning to it. It's not something that just goes away!
 
Very sorry for the sudden loss of your spouse. That must be a very difficult thing to deal with. Please take time to grieve, and also to take care of yourself.

It's good that you want to get back to EMS. Remember that working as an EMT won't pay that bills at your place in life now. Working as a paramedic may, and working as a nurse should. If you want to work part time as an EMT to get back to your roots, that can be a good thing, especially since it sounds like you will offer good quality care to your Pts. If you want to work full time in EMS, then either paramedic (field) or nurse (ED) sounds like the better path to consider.

Please be well.
 
I have thought about going back into EMS but with the COVID Vaccine being mandated to EMS workers. That's becoming a lot harder sell for me.
 
Vaccines are the closest we've come to creating actual miracle-cures. With wide-spread vaccination we have successfully wiped out deadly, R0>1 diseases. With wide-spread vaccination, healthcare providers aren't gambling with their immunosuppressed patient's health every flu season. If you aren't on board with incredibly low-risk prophylactics, you shouldn't be working in a healthcare setting.

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Kevinf said:
Vaccines are the closest we've come to creating actual miracle-cures. With wide-spread vaccination we have successfully wiped out deadly, R0>1 diseases. With wide-spread vaccination, healthcare providers aren't gambling with their immunosuppressed patients health every flu season. If you aren't on board with incredibly low-risk prophylactics, you shouldn't be working in a healthcare setting.

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Ha! Yeah...and there are board certified physicians that do double mastectomies on teenaged girls because they're convinced they're boys...what's your point?
 
Just for the sake of debate, I was vaccinated in January of 21, had Covid also in January of 21, boosted in December of 21, and last month caught Covid again.

This second time around with Covid has had a lingering nasty cough and generalized malaise and lack of energy for nearly a month now.
 
There's a separate thread for the covid vaccine discussions.
 
FiremanMike said:
Just for the sake of debate, I was vaccinated in January of 21, had Covid also in January of 21, boosted in December of 21, and last month caught Covid again.

This second time around with Covid has had a lingering nasty cough and generalized malaise and lack of energy for nearly a month now.
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As the saying goes..."But did you die?"
 
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EMT2000 said:
I'm sure that things have changed a great deal over the years since I was last active. It's been such a long time, but it has always been a part of me. I've been feeling strongly about returning to it. It's not something that just goes away!
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Vaccine debates aside, I think EMS is one of the best part time jobs out there. I've always enjoyed it, and if you want to get back into it than go for it. You're probably a few years older than me, so there is no time like the present. I have had my EMT card since 1998, and have practiced in one capacity or another over that span. If you want to do it, than do it.
 
EMT2000 said:
Hello everyone,

I thought I'd jump in here after being out of the EMS field since approximately 2006/2007. I live in New England and I first became an EMT 22 years ago when I was just 18 years old (I totally just aged myself). I have continued working in healthcare since then, but EMS has always been my first love. I've recently been looking for a change and have been seriously considering getting back into EMS. I know that there are significant EMT/paramedic staffing shortages in my area (and healthcare shortages in general) and I've had several friends urging me to get back into it. Sadly, my husband very unexpectedly passed away a couple of weeks ago. He was also an EMT and worked in Boston for many years. We both got out of EMS at the same time and he went into nursing. So, now I'm kind of at a crossroad trying to decide what I should do. Obviously, I've been feeling a bit lost these last couple of weeks, but I'm getting to the point where I feel like this is my time to "get back out there." I always loved EMS and have missed it for quite some time. It used to be such a huge part of my life.

Anyway, I figured joining this forum might give me that extra push I need to jump back in. I'm looking forward to reading, learning, refreshing myself, and participating in conversations.
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I am very sorry for your loss.
A good friend and fellow EMT said something to me after losing my mom 4 years ago and losing other close family shortly after. "Even when a person is hurting mentally (grieving, depressed, etc) doesn't mean they can't help others out in their time of need. That helped me a great deal to go back to responding to calls. I can empathize with patients and their families more than I could before.
I am on a volunteer/paid per call EMT and really enjoy it. I have been on the Volunteer Fire Rescue for 22 years and now just EMS starting this year. Our group responds to calls in our own vehicles and we respond to over 450 EMS calls a year average.
As you said, EMS has a HUGE shortage right now. From reading what you wrote, you have a compassion for EMS. To be honest you are a step ahead of new people coming into the field. Things may have changed in how things are done but the basics really have not.
You can do this and will be great!! Good Luck in your future endeavors.
 
Kavsuvb said:
Last year, I had a dad who had Covid and died from it and I was exposed through him and my mother. I was exposed to Covid, never showed signs or symptoms and was immune due to two rare diseases such as kallmann’s syndrome and Vitiligo. At the same time I’m on very high levels of testosterone replacement therapy that made me immune and the only hit from Covid was a mild bronchitis and a cold.
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That's having symptoms. I was vaxxed and I lost my sense of smell for 4 days. That's the only major sign/symptom I had. I see LOTS of people with Covid these days with either no symptoms or only sore throat.

Anyway, as far as getting back into EMS, the OP should certainly consider it. The pay may not be great, especially if it's part-time, but the diversion from the day-to-day can be a relief. I'm semi-actively considering going back to EMS on a very part-time basis but due to certain events outside my control, I'm not going to throw apps out for a little while.
 
I'm so sorry. I really didn't mean for this thread to turn into a vaccine debate. I apologize if my post sparked that.

Yes, I am very strongly considering getting back into EMS, probably only on a very part-time basis, at least to start. We all know that EMS pay isn't nearly what it should be. When my husband was alive and he worked in Boston, he made outstanding money, but he worked for the city and had great pay, loads of overtime opportunities, great benefits, etc. Unfortunately, it's not like that everywhere.
 
You said you were at a crossroad trying to decide what to do. What are the other options?
 
Removed thread now that I've removed the off topic posts. Don't make me do it again.
 
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