Why did you become a EMT/Paramedic?

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hrawlins

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What influenced your decision to become an EMT/Paramedic?
What do you like most about this job?
What do you like least?
Would you recommend it to somebody else interested in the medical field?
 
hrawlins said:
What influenced your decision to become an EMT/Paramedic? I love the human body
What do you like most about this job? The feeling of actually "saving" a life.
What do you like least? Not knowing how to help somebody and not being able to help.
Would you recommend it to somebody else interested in the medical field? No.
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^^^^
 
hrawlins said:
What influenced your decision to become an EMT/Paramedic?
What do you like most about this job?
What do you like least?
Would you recommend it to somebody else interested in the medical field?
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The answer to 1 and 2 are the same. I enjoy helping others.
I have no dislikes
Yes but only if you are passionate about the profession. If money is a key factor or regular working hours this is not the correct career choice. I see many people here try to discourage others from getting into EMS. I read their complaints and listen to them moan and groan over the problems they come across. The sad truth is many got into EMS because they thought it would be an easy way to earn a living or they imagined everything happened just like on TV. The reality is code calls are not that often and most patients are basic care. I am OK with that. I enjoy the time spent with people making them feel comfortable.
 
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crazycajun said:
Sorry but if you got into this for the money you got into it for the wrong reason.
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I didn't, but that doesn't mean I don't want to earn a livable wage.
 
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If somebody wanted to be in the medical field i would recommend the course but wouldnt recommend doing it as a living.
 
HotelCo said:
I didn't, but that doesn't mean I don't want to earn a livable wage.
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To me that is the whole issue. Why get into a career knowing what the area market and pay scale is? I would hope that anyone who decides to get into EMS would at least look to see if they could survive financially.
 
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crazycajun said:
To me that is the whole issue. Why get into a career knowing what the area market and pay scale is? I would hope that anyone who decides to get into EMS would at least look to see if they could survive financially.
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I knew the payscale, and it appealed to me. I never have planned on making this a career, and am in EMS as a stepping stone to a higher level of healthcare provider. This line of work will pay my bills well, as long as I'm single with no kids.
 
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HotelCo said:
I knew the payscale, and it appealed to me. I never have planned on making this a career, and am in EMS as a stepping stone to a higher level of healthcare provider. This line of work will pay my bills well, as long as I'm single with no kids.
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I guess things are different in the South. I make a great living, have raised 3 kids, been married for 19 years, own a home, a couple of vehicles, a boat and with my schedule and the 21 vacation days per year I can actually be off for 42 days with pay. I have an excellent retirement, full benefits and all of the overtime I want.
 
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crazycajun said:
I guess things are different in the South. I make a great living, have raised 3 kids, been married for 19 years, own a home, a couple of vehicles, a boat and with my schedule and the 21 vacation days per year I can actually be off for 42 days with pay. I have an excellent retirement, full benefits and all of the overtime I want.
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City/county/3rd service/fire/private?
 
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crazycajun said:
County. Our starting pay for EMT-B is 32K a year with full benefits.
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County... That's why. I'd venture to say that there are far more EMS providers in this country that work for a private service, than a govt one.
 
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HotelCo said:
County... That's why. I'd venture to say that there are far more EMS providers in this country that work for a private service, than a govt one.
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Here it doesn't really matter. Most IFT companies are pretty competitive with gov't. They know it is the only way to get quality personnel. Louisiana was the same way. Many states are starting to realize that you get what you pay for and are demanding better service. Of course our training is more in depth here. EMT-B is 152 hours. EMT-B here can also perform advanced airway with combi, king and LMA.
 
crazycajun said:
Here it doesn't really matter. Most IFT companies are pretty competitive with gov't. They know it is the only way to get quality personnel. Louisiana was the same way. Many states are starting to realize that you get what you pay for and are demanding better service. Of course our training is more in depth here. EMT-B is 152 hours. EMT-B here can also perform advanced airway with combi, king and LMA.
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I'll look into that. I have a hard time believing it. (I'm not saying you're lying, just that I have a hard time believing it).
 
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HotelCo- I don't want to come off as a jerk, but for someone who just became a paramedic you sure seem bitter toward the field. You had to have known that you were not going to be rolling in the money and driving around in a Benz when you pursued being a paramedic. If you dislike paramedicine so much and are only using it as a stepping stone, why not just go for the big degree right off the bat? Why spend the time, money, and energy pursuing a degree that you really don't want?

The private service I work for makes a pretty decent wage if you want to work. It all depends on what you consider decent I guess. Try being unemployed from the manufacturing industry for awhile or any field for that matter. That puts life into perspective pretty dang quick. I know when I finish my medic requirements for class, I will be starting off at better than average wage for my area and am greatful to have the job.
 
HotelCo said:
I'll look into that. I have a hard time believing it. (I'm not saying you're lying, just that I have a hard time believing it).
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What is hard about believing that?
 
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Got into the field for a few reasons:


1. Its a rewarding profession
2. Better than sitting behind a computer screen all day
3. I like helping people
4. Paramedics literally saved my life 8 years ago
5. The pay in my area is actually pretty good
 
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