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dalhou

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Hello everyone!

I wanted to introduce myself and hopefully get some questions answered. I've just finished paying for my first EMT-B classes starting a couple weeks from now. (yay!) I'm originally from Dallas, but I now live in Houston.

I've read quite a bit online about the field, but I guess I want something a little more pertinent to my situation. A little more about myself, I have a fairly petite stature (5'2" 105 lbs), a bachelors in human nutrition, and already BLS for healthcare providers certified from years before.

I was wondering:

1) Will my credentials (bachelors, certification) help me in the class? I'm a little worried that I'll be in over my head.

2) I'd like to maintain fairly good balance between work and home, I was wondering about anyone's experience with this. What's a typical day like working as an EMT-B? How many calls do you typically get? Are you constantly stressed?

3) Other than ambulances, I hear EMTs work in other settings. What other settings are these?

4) Could anyone volunteer as a mentor? I'd like someone I could contact via private message if I have any concerns. I don't want to spam the forum :)

If anyone has any questions they'd like to ask me, feel free!
 
Welcome to the forum

1. You classes may help. They certainly can't hurt. EMT is basic first aid with some new skills thrown in. If you have good knowledge of anatomy, you're ahead of the game.

2. Every job is different. Some are slow with one call every 12 hours, others are nonstop. To maintain balance, make sure you have other interests outside EMS. It can become all consuming and will burn you out.

3. Hospitals, prisons, camps, oil rigs, amusement parks. Do a job search with EMT as the keyword. You'll turn up interesting positions.

4. Ask your questions on the forum. Everyone learns that way...
It's kind of why we're here. :)
 
dalhou said:
Hello everyone!

I wanted to introduce myself and hopefully get some questions answered. I've just finished paying for my first EMT-B classes starting a couple weeks from now. (yay!) I'm originally from Dallas, but I now live in Houston.

I've read quite a bit online about the field, but I guess I want something a little more pertinent to my situation. A little more about myself, I have a fairly petite stature (5'2" 105 lbs), a bachelors in human nutrition, and already BLS for healthcare providers certified from years before.

I was wondering:

1) Will my credentials (bachelors, certification) help me in the class? I'm a little worried that I'll be in over my head.

2) I'd like to maintain fairly good balance between work and home, I was wondering about anyone's experience with this. What's a typical day like working as an EMT-B? How many calls do you typically get? Are you constantly stressed?

3) Other than ambulances, I hear EMTs work in other settings. What other settings are these?

4) Could anyone volunteer as a mentor? I'd like someone I could contact via private message if I have any concerns. I don't want to spam the forum :)

If anyone has any questions they'd like to ask me, feel free!
Click to expand...

Welcome I think DEMedic covered most of the apsects but to add.

1. You said you have a human nutrition B.A. and BLS Healthcare CPR. I know CPR is part of the EMT curriculum, So when you recert with the class. you'll already know what to expect.

2. Its hit or miss where you work at, And as far as separating your professional life with your personal life. I learned its nice to have hobbies or friends outside of the field. When I'm not at work you wouldn't know what I do for a living. There are stressful days like any job, its finding a hobby or outlet to relieve that stress where it can be beneficial

Being Petite has nothing to do with your capabilities. I've met some stronger people who where quite petite the only problem I ever run into is when I have a tiny partner I'm almost 6 foot, it makes for difficulty transferring people at the same height. but you learn to find what works best

Good luck!
 
Ahoy ahoy again!

I joined a couple months back sort of intimidated by the whole EMT courses stuff. I've just finished my practicals this week, and I have a few things I can mention to anyone looking to get into the field (and answering my own questions)

I'm a little person, 5'2" 105 lbs, and it's all good. I have a hard time getting the stretcher on the ambulance, but with the right partners, I'm all good. The big bags of equipment are a bit much for me, too, but the guys on the team are always willing to get that for me. I think if I was working with another team, or with a bunch of other girls, I'd be seen as not pulling my own weight. But, my team really respects my intelligence and work ethic, so I really appreciate that.

I'm not worked out to be an EMT. Although I do just fine, I know I'm definitely graduate school, medical school material. For the time being though, it's an experience that I'm grateful for.

1) As far as the classes go, I finished first in my class of 50. Only 25 people or so passed the class, and the average was around a 75. I would say if you have a bachelors in any science course and have a fond interest in medicine, the course will be a breeze. That said, half the class did not pass, so if you're not an academic junky like myself, you'll probably have some long nights. I'm also amazing with my hands, I can immobilize you on a backboard in less than a minute.

2) I decided on volunteering at my local fire station, just for the time being. It depends where you are, but the city I volunteer for is a nice one, so they're really good on hours and work/life balance.

3) EMT can work in hospitals, did not know that till now. You can also work transport between facilities. If I ever wanted to continue my EMT life, I'd look into working with the Kangaroo Crew at Texas Children's. They seem bad ***.


If anyone has questions for someone with limited experience or just started this whole thing, feel free to ask.
 
When i took my class i already had a bunch of FA/CPR(CPR-PRO instructor FA, Emergency o2, wilderness FA etc.) certs and i found the class to really be pretty easy. While my experience is with NYS and your will be different i really is not a tough class. I also took my class after having a B.S. in an unrelated field and the individuals who seemed to struggle had issues studying or absorbing information and applying it in lab and ride alongs.

The basic Cert in my opinion is basically..... basic First aid, pt packaging, CPR(and related tasks) and a few other miscellaneous simple skills.....very different from being a medic.
 
Jmo371 said:
When i took my class i already had a bunch of FA/CPR(CPR-PRO instructor FA, Emergency o2, wilderness FA etc.) certs and i found the class to really be pretty easy. While my experience is with NYS and your will be different i really is not a tough class. I also took my class after having a B.S. in an unrelated field and the individuals who seemed to struggle had issues studying or absorbing information and applying it in lab and ride alongs.

The basic Cert in my opinion is basically..... basic First aid, pt packaging, CPR(and related tasks) and a few other miscellaneous simple skills.....very different from being a medic.
Click to expand...

It's not different from being a medic. We just have more knowledge and resources available to us.
 
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