Should one spend his/her entire career working for one (the same) EMS agency?

[DrParasite]

Should one spend his/her entire career working for one (the same) EMS agency?

Does that limit their potential opportunities for growth? Does it limit his/her perspective on the industry?

Does it narrow their future to potentially only be "valued" with that one organization?

If moving on (or over) is accepted, then what's the acceptable timeframe to move? 3 years...5 years...10 years?

 

[gonefishing]

Should one spend his/her entire career working for one (the same) EMS agency?

Does that limit their potential opportunities for growth? Does it limit his/her perspective on the industry?

Does it narrow their future to potentially only be "valued" with that one organization?

If moving on (or over) is accepted, then what's the acceptable timeframe to move? 3 years...5 years...10 years?

I was with a certain company for a brief period of time before getting laid off. I was just a number. I then spent the remainder of my time at another established company with a long respected history. I was there for close to 10 years. The first company which is a conglomerate bought my company out. They than laid everyone off. My 10 years there were incredible. Having to move onto another company, I atleast appreciated that my resume was read over and I actually make more than what I was at my old company. To the one that hired me I was an asset. To my new peers, im treated like the new kid on the block and in a way had to prove myself.
If your earning good money, benefits, enjoy the people and atmosphere its more of a vacation than work. Why leave? LOL

 

[NomadicMedic]

I think the response to all of this is, it depends.

If you work for a great agency, why not stay 20+ years and retire? If you work for a crappy agency, try a few out til you find the one you like.

If your agency has a promotional ladder, you can't climb if you don't stay.

If you don't ever look outside your own agency, your perspective will be limited. but, it's that way with any career.

As for your perceived value, if you're never planning to leave, there's no damage at all. If you do plan to leave, you have no value at the new place until you prove yourself all over again.

As for when is the right time to move? It's like ending a relationship. when it's the right time, you'll know.

 

[MedicBender]

During a few introspective pub sessions I’ve debated this as well.

I’ll be 30 next week, and I just passed my 10 year mark in EMS. Should I have stayed in one department during my career? Or should I have done what I’ve done and tried different roles in different departments?

In regards to bedding down and embracing one department, it does have its benefits. Retirement, community, progression in the department, and stability. I could be 10 years into a department retirement, and have a life set up in an area that I know well.
Does it prohibit growth? I think that’s very department dependent. I do think it limits perspective though.

I think if a person has the chance to embrace different roles in the paramedic scope, it’s massively beneficial to personal and professional growth. I’ve working in 3rd service, corrections, fire based, and as an ED paramedic. I’ve gained new skills and techniques at each role. I’ve loved some and hated others.

Now I feel that I’m at a point where I know exactly what I want from a department.

I don’t believe that moving on to different departments and employers has the stigma it once did. Provided someone doesn’t change every year.

 

[DesertMedic66]

There is no simple yes or no answer so it depends. If you find a great company that pays well, good benefits, good retirement, and room for growth, would it make sense to leave?

 

[joshrunkle35]

I feel like if you work for a large city where you have little chance of being fired and you have good salary and good benefits, you should stay at that agency. There’s probably large chances for promotion with that large system.

On the other hand, with anything else, I would probably work 2-3 jobs simultaneously, so that you always have stuff to fall back on, and so that your options are always open and your skills are always growing.

 

[VentMonkey]

I would probably work 2-3 jobs simultaneously, so that you always have stuff to fall back on, and so that your options are always open and your skills are always growing.

Career longevity-wise this sounds like an awful plan. It sounds like something the younger, more able-bodied crowd would say; one without a family, or immediate long term goals.

Shouldn’t the goal of working for one agency your entire career be to not have to burn yourself out, and be able to enjoy life outside of what you do?

Like others have said, it truly is an open-ended question. I think personally I would ask could someone spend an entire career working at “XYZ” EMS service? If the answer is yes to them, then nothing else should really matter.

 

[Tigger]

I think given EMS's relative disdain for hiring external applicants into any sort of leadership role that often times people must commit to an agency if they want to climb any semblance of ladder. Which is often unfortunate as there just isn't that many places worth committing to.

 

[NomadicMedic]

I think given EMS's relative disdain for hiring external applicants into any sort of leadership role that often times people must commit to an agency if they want to climb any semblance of ladder. Which is often unfortunate as there just isn't that many places worth committing to.

Very true.

 

[VentMonkey]

It is pretty sad how closed-minded many organizations can be. They wonder why their growth is at a significantly glacial pace, if at all.

My service has ladders to climb to an extent, and they very much poach internally. And while they have taken on people from other backgrounds for various administrative duties, by and large they’re looking for vested folks.

There’s goods and bads to it, but certainly fresh perspectives with parallel training and educational backgrounds couldn’t hurt. But hey, I no longer partake in such administrative duties so who am I really to say?...

Could I stay here forever? Sure. Will I stay here? Who knows. Incidentally, I’ve literally been afforded every opportunity for growth one could be ask for at an EMS-only agency.