Women in EMS

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Annie

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Hey everyone,

I'm currently working as an EMT for a BLS company and I seem to get this from patients and hospital staff all the time. I feel like I'm constantly being undermined for my 5'2 stature and also aside from the fact that I'm a lady. I work out, am physically fit, and never had any issues lifting pts.

I really love helping people and wouldn't trade it for anything else, but the negative attitude I'm getting from people is really starting to get the best of me. This is nothing new and something I've already expected going into EMS. I didn't let this bother me before but it is becoming increasingly annoying as I hear it almost every single day. I'm sure most people probably don't know better when they see me and go "Oh my, they sent a small girl to take me in an ambulance" but it's outright rude and disrespectful. I used to shrug this off but I felt like I had enough of it when a pt told me yesterday "Women like you should just stand back and smile". I know it is what it is and I'm always going to hear this bs but like all EMS professionals, I've also went to school, worked hard, and jumped through all the hoops for this.

I know there is nothing much I could do to change people's old fashioned views but I'd just like to know how you ladies deal with it. Guys, is this something common you see working with female partners?
 
All you can really do is smile, shrug it off, and prove them wrong. People use to (and still do) say similar things about women in the military, law enforcement, and other male-dominated fields. If you're capable of performing your job to the highest of standards, then you shouldn't let the opinions of naysayers bother you.

Signed, A lowly female EMT :P
 
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As long as your co-workers appreciate you, and you can do your job well, that's all that matters. Heck, I prefer to work with a female, it allows more flexibility in terms of patient care.
 
I agree with the two previous posts. I am just 5 feet and I get the same thing all of the time from people that don't know me. from a the wife of the 300 lb cardiac arrest victim chuckling when in walked in the door to the firefighter who insists on carrying the oxygen bag to the er aid that always pushes me aside to get at the patients head during transfer. Depending on the day I make a joke about it or just let them risk hurting their own backs as I watch. As for my partners that I work with regularly, they know that I am likely in better shape than they are and expect me to do the same as anyone else.
 
All you can do is work hard and show them your capability. Harness those negative feelings and let them drive you on to outperforming others.

When it's a patient making comments, I usually say something like "I'm more coordinated than I look, but thanks for your concern" or something. Try and brush it off with a joke.

People are stupid, and almost universally say whatever fool thing comes in their heads when things aren't as they expected.
 
adamjh3 said:
As long as your co-workers appreciate you, and you can do your job well, that's all that matters. Heck, I prefer to work with a female, it allows more flexibility in terms of patient care.
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Same with me. If I'm given a choice I would rather work with a female. As long as she knows what she is doing and can do it then it makes for a really good day.
 
Fortunately, I have a bunch good respectful coworkers. And I agree with abckidsmom, patients can be stupid. Most of these patients are all 65+ and have always had that opinion about women anyway, so it's pointless to try to convince them they're wrong.
 
Annie said:
Hey everyone,

I'm currently working as an EMT for a BLS company and I seem to get this from patients and hospital staff all the time. I feel like I'm constantly being undermined for my 5'2 stature and also aside from the fact that I'm a lady. I work out, am physically fit, and never had any issues lifting pts.

I really love helping people and wouldn't trade it for anything else, but the negative attitude I'm getting from people is really starting to get the best of me. This is nothing new and something I've already expected going into EMS. I didn't let this bother me before but it is becoming increasingly annoying as I hear it almost every single day. I'm sure most people probably don't know better when they see me and go "Oh my, they sent a small girl to take me in an ambulance" but it's outright rude and disrespectful. I used to shrug this off but I felt like I had enough of it when a pt told me yesterday "Women like you should just stand back and smile". I know it is what it is and I'm always going to hear this bs but like all EMS professionals, I've also went to school, worked hard, and jumped through all the hoops for this.

I know there is nothing much I could do to change people's old fashioned views but I'd just like to know how you ladies deal with it. Guys, is this something common you see working with female partners?
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No but I am 6ft 6in so I would have fun playing "Can you get the keys?" :rolleyes: But seriously If you can do your job it doesn't matter how big you are.
 
Annie said:
Fortunately, I have a bunch good respectful coworkers. And I agree with abckidsmom, patients can be stupid. Most of these patients are all 65+ and have always had that opinion about women anyway, so it's pointless to try to convince them they're wrong.
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Exactly. For me I always get asked "are you old enough to even have a license?". I look really young but I get tired of people asking me the question. I just try to ignore them.
 
firefite said:
Exactly. For me I always get asked "are you old enough to even have a license?". I look really young but I get tired of people asking me the question. I just try to ignore them.
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When people push my buttons with a stupid question, sometimes I like to ask, "did you mean to say that *out loud*?"

Really, some people just need to grow a filter.
 
abckidsmom said:
When people push my buttons with a stupid question, sometimes I like to ask, "did you mean to say that *out loud*?"

Really, some people just need to grow a filter.
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There is just no cure for stupid.

I try my best to simply treat the signs and symptoms.
 
Annie,

I see it a fair amount in Helicopter EMS (HEMS) too. Some of the nurses and paramedics I work with are your size and stature and get teased a bit.

It seems like the ones who fair the best are able to take it in stride and joke around about it a bit. Having said that, I think it's also important to set a personal limit and when you reach it talk to the person or persons about it face to face. If that doesn't get the result you want, sit down with your supervisor about it, that's what he or she gets paid for.

For what it's worth.

Best Regards,

Fly-write
 
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While I might joke with a few of the females I work with from time to time about being too short(and only in jest. If someone were to tell me they don't approve of the jokes, I stop), I truly believe that if you are physically and mentally capable to do the job, then by all means do the job. Less for me to lift. And as mentioned before, makes certain calls go a whole lot smoother with a female/male crew as opposed to male/male crew
 
I certainly welcome the jokes, it lightens up the workplace and makes the day pass by faster. My only gripe is with pts (and occasionally hospital staff) who think my clinical judgement is inferior and not as credible because I am a woman.
 
Man, woman, tall, short... If you can do the job, then it's fine by me. I don't agree with different standards in police/fire/EMS for physical agility tests for men and women.
 
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Annie said:
Hey everyone,

I'm currently working as an EMT for a BLS company and I seem to get this from patients and hospital staff all the time. I feel like I'm constantly being undermined for my 5'2 stature and also aside from the fact that I'm a lady. I work out, am physically fit, and never had any issues lifting pts.

I really love helping people and wouldn't trade it for anything else, but the negative attitude I'm getting from people is really starting to get the best of me. This is nothing new and something I've already expected going into EMS. I didn't let this bother me before but it is becoming increasingly annoying as I hear it almost every single day. I'm sure most people probably don't know better when they see me and go "Oh my, they sent a small girl to take me in an ambulance" but it's outright rude and disrespectful. I used to shrug this off but I felt like I had enough of it when a pt told me yesterday "Women like you should just stand back and smile". I know it is what it is and I'm always going to hear this bs but like all EMS professionals, I've also went to school, worked hard, and jumped through all the hoops for this.

I know there is nothing much I could do to change people's old fashioned views but I'd just like to know how you ladies deal with it. Guys, is this something common you see working with female partners?
Click to expand...

This has nothing to do with EMS, but demonstrates stereotypes. I am 6'5 and all of my life I have heard "boy you're tall, do you, or did you, play basketball".

My son is 6'9", and he will hear it to.

I told him to respond with "do you play miniature golf"?
 
Being 5'2" Very strong and curvy female sucks too but I love every min of it

abckidsmom said:
When people push my buttons with a stupid question, sometimes I like to ask, "did you mean to say that *out loud*?"

Really, some people just need to grow a filter.
Click to expand...


I've said something along those lines and yeah some people should definately think before they speak but most people dont because they havent grown their filter.. I find most senior citizen males comment on my size stature and gender. But My co workers have my back they always jump in with Better the " wicked smart small lady" than me the "clueless BIG GUY".. Guys around the station give me a hard time cause our new rig one of the on board 02 hook ups is above the stretcher on the roof and I cant reach it but I can get to the other 3 and can do my job. I try not to let it bother me, let it roll off. But I can under stand how it could build up.. Thats why the forum exsists to make fun of the idiot pts without a filter LOL
 
I'm 5'0" and male and I can relate to everything you're saying. You have to understand that these people are rude and this has everything to do with them and their own personal problems and nothing to do with you. I'm 24 and 150lbs and I'm pretty average with my lifting. There are stronger people but we have a lot of weaker individuals as well. Most of the patient complaints come from fear most of the staff, from ignorance. Don't take it to heart.
 
I am 5'3" and 115lbs. I can relate to what has been said throughout this thread. I usually just joke with the guys when they bring it up. I continue to keep myself physically fit and just try to let anything negative that is said roll off. I am of the mind-set that I don't have anything to prove to anyone but myself and as long as I keep that motivation it only leaves room for personal growth, development, and improvement. I am not under any illusions as to the fact I have chosen a male-dominated field but I respect men and women in public service equally across the board. As long as you can do the job, just be you and the rest will fall into place.

B)
 
awildstein said:
As for my partners that I work with regularly, they know that I am likely in better shape than they are and expect me to do the same as anyone else.
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for My Age of 40 i am iN pretty gooD shapE to lEt you knoW I do expect you pulL your own weight. Do not forget who trained you shorty... Last thing yUo or i need is haVing the UNiformed Crew from up the hilL takE our jobs Maybe I will be KindEr to them tho so they hurt their backs and not me during that next carry.
 
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