New to EMTLIFE

[tennesseegirl81]

Hello my name is Tanya and just moved to Jacksonville, FL. and wanting to get my EMT and then go to get my paramedics license. I have two kids a 4 year old and a 4 week old baby so I know that will make school a lot more challenging but after seeing the unfortunate events that happened in Boston and West Texas it makes me want to be a paramedic more.

 

[Achilles]

Hello my name is Tanya and just moved to Jacksonville, FL. and wanting to get my EMT and then go to get my paramedics license. I have two kids a 4 year old and a 4 week old baby so I know that will make school a lot more challenging but after seeing the unfortunate events that happened in Boston and West Texas it makes me want to be a paramedic more.

First off, welcome to Emtlife.
Second, I exhort that you do some research on the profession. What you see on TV is not what you see everyday, you'll get many calls for a little old lady complaining of chest pain (some serious, many are not.) long hours can really burn someone out quickly, the pay is not the best.

There are a lot of perks though, the people, you will meet a ton of people and its beneficial to listen to their story. The people that you will work with are great (usually.) you only have to work nine days a month. You can go home saying "I made a difference in someone's life today" hopefully it was good.
Good luck, ask many question, listen much.

 

[fortsmithman]

Welcome to EMTLife.

 

[Trailrider]

Welcome

 

[Wheel]

Welcome!

First off, welcome to Emtlife.
Second, I exhort that you do some research on the profession. What you see on TV is not what you see everyday, you'll get many calls for a little old lady complaining of chest pain (some serious, many are not.) long hours can really burn someone out quickly, the pay is not the best.

There are a lot of perks though, the people, you will meet a ton of people and its beneficial to listen to their story. The people that you will work with are great (usually.) you only have to work nine days a month. You can go home saying "I made a difference in someone's life today" hopefully it was good.
Good luck, ask many question, listen much.

I agree. These events are not likely to happen to most of us, and the vast majority of what we deal with is not exciting and fun. I love my job, but you need to come in with realistic expectations.

Find out what the job market is like where you live and see if the money is what you're wanting. Florida runs a lot of fire based ems, so finding a 911 job may be difficult for you. All in all though, these are just things to consider as you make life changes.

 

[MarkusEMS]

Welcome from me as well....and I am happy to see that recent events inspired you to look into a career in the EMS field.

Myself still a newbie when it comes to be a pro EMS (I'm experienced as a first aid caregiver in event medical tents though) but I'd like to support your desire yet give you some advice that may sound harsh, but it's not ment to be that way.

In Cali you need to start as an Emergency Medical Responder, formerly known as First Responder, with very little basic scope of practice but already a sh..ugarload of facts, signs and symptoms, data to learn. In my case I did a 52 hour course with the Red Cross but when I continued at a local community college re: EMT I saw that they alternatively have the option of taking the equivalent for one semester, too.

And then start of easy and join a EMS volunteer organization like the American Red Cross that gives you opportunity to join in "the fun" and be part of the BLS function, practice your people skills, stabilize fractures, bandage wounds and practice taking vital signs/patient assessment and patient care report.

Then continue the next step as an EMT and if you are still thirsty of knowledge right away, consider advancing to paramedic which from what I hear really kicks your butt when it comes to go to school and clinical hours etc. I also read a lot that experienced providers recommend to get your feet wet as an EMT first before advancing, going back to school.

Good to have someone interested to join a great family, but take one step at a time and see if that's really something you would want to, can pursue.

Keep us posted
-Markus