My Sad Story

[juxtin1987]

I haven't been on these forums long and i'm not a religious user like some, but you may have seen my posts. Anyway i just wanted to post my sad story (relatively very unsad if im being truthful) about my progress in EMS.

So after blasting through my Basic class, taking my PEPP, ITLS, and other courses, volunteering regularly with the local ER and doing as many ride alongs as i could get my hands on, i found out that a speeding ticket i received 2 months after my 18th birthday was filed as a reckless driving. Ambulance companies, in CA anyway, won't hire you with a reckless driving on your record because of insurance reasons (which i understand) and it takes 5 years for it to be cleared from your record. The good news is it will be off my record in 8 months, the bad news is... i was laid-off six months ago, and have a resume that's counter productive when seeking employment. In fact the only call back i got for interview in the last six months was when i left my work history off my application and did not submit a resume. Anyway, just wanted to vent a little bit while i try to figure out what the hell i'm going to do for the next 8 months (Might try to get on as a Tech in the ER).

 

[firetender]

We all trip over ourselves now and again. The fall don't matter; it's the picking up that counts. Just keep steppin'!

 

[HotelCo]

Be thankful. In some states, once you get a ticket on your driving record (no matter how insignificant), it stays there forever.

 

[VinBin]

It might be a blessing in disguise, as a basic, you get very little true clinical experience with the level of training. Although many EMTs are skilled in "skills," few have a good understanding of medical conditions. The ER is a great place to learn a lot if you are proactive and are eager to learn (although as a tech you might get some of the jobs the nurses don't want to do).

Even if you plan on getting a medic license, it might be useful to stay on as an ER Tech part time during school to apply what you learn...

 

[grich242]

It might be a blessing in disguise, as a basic, you get very little true clinical experience with the level of training. Although many EMTs are skilled in "skills," few have a good understanding of medical conditions. The ER is a great place to learn a lot if you are proactive and are eager to learn (although as a tech you might get some of the jobs the nurses don't want to do).

Even if you plan on getting a medic license, it might be useful to stay on as an ER Tech part time during school to apply what you learn...

I have to disagree, while you can learn a lot in the er it depends highly on your job description, which in many places can be differ vastly, The problem in the er for NEW basics, or medics for that matter is that often you are not using the skill sets required to improve as a medic or basic. The job as a basic for many people sucks the pay sucks it is not exciting etc... however how many have taken granny to the nursing home to rehab her hip fracture only to see her again 2 weeks later as she has deteriorated to a whole new level? You still do an assessment of your pt's ? take vitals argue with the rn's at the ecf? You tend to see many diseases in progressive stages ie the dialysis pt you get familiar with, you see the changes in their condition etc. one of the best skills a paramedic can have is their assessment, this is a basic skill that will be expanded in medic class. In the er as a basic most of the time you do not do an assessment, because you are busy doing other things like drawing blood etc.. you can learn a lot from the er however and its not a bad job to have, but it is different than ems experience, where you have to make your own judgment calls based on your own assessments these can make you a better ems provider. you Can get plenty of "true clinical experience" as a basic...