Hi all, I'm new here, and through college I worked part-time as an EMT-Basic for a little over four years. I went on to other things for another five years after that, and while I've continued to volunteer here and there in and out of hospital settings, it's only recently that I've considered returning to EMS professionally (in Boston, where I live). (I'm still certified.) Here's my situation, and the pros and cons as I see them—can anybody weigh on what I should do?
The Good:
1) I miss it. Full stop. I loved my work when I was an EMT. Sure, I can think of lots of things I don't miss (certain frequent flyers, belligerent drunks, going on a call at 3 am only to stand outside in the 10-degree cold on a CO alarm), but, corny as it sounds, what kept me going was helping people in that hands-on, immediate way—feeling like I did everything I could to take care of somebody. It's hard to find that anywhere else. I was comfortable with the fast pace and odd hours. It suited me.
2) I'd love to be part of a crew or a team again—my current work is pretty isolating.
3) My financial situation is flexible—if the pay isn't great (is it ever good?) or it takes me a little while to find steady work, I'll be ok.
The Less Good:
1) I'm newly married, and my husband isn't thrilled about the prospect of me taking shift work.
2) I was diagnosed with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis one year ago—the mildest, most common kind. I'm on medication and have been symptom-free for almost nine months, and had a clean MRI (no new lesions) last month. I have the same motor skills, balance, reflexes, etc. as a healthy person. Although my neurologist and PCP have said I'm in great shape and feel I wouldn't be a liability to my partners or patients, the condition *is* stress-aggravated. The last thing I would want is to make myself sicker from irregular sleep/meals and the stresses of the job and THEN turn out to be a liability after all. Is it irresponsible of me to pursue this career path? Am I a nutjob? (Don't spare my feelings, I can take it!)
The Good:
1) I miss it. Full stop. I loved my work when I was an EMT. Sure, I can think of lots of things I don't miss (certain frequent flyers, belligerent drunks, going on a call at 3 am only to stand outside in the 10-degree cold on a CO alarm), but, corny as it sounds, what kept me going was helping people in that hands-on, immediate way—feeling like I did everything I could to take care of somebody. It's hard to find that anywhere else. I was comfortable with the fast pace and odd hours. It suited me.
2) I'd love to be part of a crew or a team again—my current work is pretty isolating.
3) My financial situation is flexible—if the pay isn't great (is it ever good?) or it takes me a little while to find steady work, I'll be ok.
The Less Good:
1) I'm newly married, and my husband isn't thrilled about the prospect of me taking shift work.
2) I was diagnosed with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis one year ago—the mildest, most common kind. I'm on medication and have been symptom-free for almost nine months, and had a clean MRI (no new lesions) last month. I have the same motor skills, balance, reflexes, etc. as a healthy person. Although my neurologist and PCP have said I'm in great shape and feel I wouldn't be a liability to my partners or patients, the condition *is* stress-aggravated. The last thing I would want is to make myself sicker from irregular sleep/meals and the stresses of the job and THEN turn out to be a liability after all. Is it irresponsible of me to pursue this career path? Am I a nutjob? (Don't spare my feelings, I can take it!)
Thanks, Chewy. I knew about Cataldo, but I hadn't looked into Brewster yet, so I'll do that.
