Anybody an EMT?

[aychd]

Plan on not doing my bachelors as of now and pursing in becoming an EMT. Anybody here done work in that field would love some tips advice etc. 

I want to get my bachelors especially if it'll help me towards doing more within the EMT field. 

 

[mangudai954]

@ksteezy

 

[ryda421]

steezy is a nurse b

 

[mangudai954]

Didn't he use to be EMT?

 

[ryda421]

not sure

 

[theknowledgeableprofessor]

EMT -> Experience -> Paramedic.

 

[feeninlikejodeci]

I'd bet 90% of your calls will be psychiatric episodes - I've got a mentally ill alcoholic family member who fights with police officers and gets themselves committed twice a year Each time it happens, the ambulance shows up with 3-4 dudes and stays there flashing lights and everything for a half hour as they restrain her and put her on the stretcher.

Also, if you're in close proximity to a Section 8/EBT neighborhood, a good percentage of the calls will probably be Opiate ODs. Here in Ohio, most cities have atleast 1000 regular heroin users, and most of them OD atleast once a year. :x

Just typing this because I used to think EMTs dealt mainly with Arson victims, Car Accidents, Heart Attacks and Strokes

 

[hoopsboy]

Being on the ambulance sucks, whether you are an EMT or paramedic. 90% of your calls or more will be BS and you will basically be a taxi service. That's if you work for a 911 based EMS service, like a fire department.

Then there are the transport/transfer service EMTs and paramedics that basically pick up old or sick people from home and take them to the dr/hospital or vice versa. Potentially even worse in my opinion than 911 based EMS.

Yes, there are the rare breeds who just love emergency medicine. In my experience, they are usually unhealthy physically and mentally. Your hours will suck, you will not get paid much and there will not be much sleep, especially in a populated city.

I've been an EMT for 6 years...only because I have to be. I'm a firefighter and it's required by my department to be an EMT or paramedic. Thankfully I'm only on the ambulance once every 4-5 shifts and the rest of the time I'm on the engine or truck. We still make EMS calls all the time on the engine or truck, but we don't have to transport the person to the hospital and go through all that mess.

People think we make a "difference", but if they only knew the truth. The 911 system is flawed and gets abused heavily. Our emergency medical skills are rarely used. Way too many people call 911 for non emergencies because they know we have to treat them as well as the hospital we take them to has to treat anyone who comes into their doors. My gf is a nurse at a children's hospital and they have ADULTS that come in to be treated in the ER. A few days ago a mother brought in a 1 year old because she witnessed her 1 year old swallow a piece of glitter. Yes, a child who has no risk of anything happening to it due to swallowing one piece of glitter was brought in to the hospital by EMS and took up a bed at an ER that could have been used for an actual sick child. Instead that actual sick child may be waiting in the waiting room for longer than necessary.

You may think I sound salty and burnt out, but talk to some more people, especially in a big city. Keep working on your bachelors and become a full time nurse and part time EMT or paramedic if you really want to. Nurses have good schedules, get paid well, and have techs working under them to do the dirty work.

 

[GTA 809]

I miss it but it doesn't pay worth a damn, so I had to change careers.
I did transports at first where you are pretty much a glorified taxi driver, but after that I worked special events. I was standby at concerts, sporting events, marathons, etc.

 

[humpasaurus rex]

I'm a RN, the EMTs work in the ED. They draw blood, start IVs, EKGs, etc. You work side by side with the docs and nurses. A lot of them work between the hospital and fire department.

 

[theknowledgeableprofessor]

I'm a RN, the EMTs work in the ED. They draw blood, start IVs, EKGs, etc. You work side by side with the docs and nurses. A lot of them work between the hospital and fire department.

Over here we had ED techs. Same thing, but they were/are phased out. That is why I went into EMT, but soon switched. ED techs are cool. Too bad they don't get used except for rural places. Best thing to do with EMT license IMO, plus is good if you want to go further like nursing, MD, etc.