Long story short, I made a 911 call at 4:00 in the morning just over a year ago because my wife was having chest pain. I was ready to jump into the car and drive her to the ER myself because I thought EMTs were high-school dropouts that took blood pressure and raced to the hospital. I nearly pooped myself when I saw a medic and his EMT partner perform a detailed assessment, an EKG, and
administer nitroglycerin-- all in a caring, professional manner. From that moment, I wanted EMS as my career.
Problem: I had already signed up for a $1000 CNA course because I was originally shooting for nursing. And yes, it was the biggest ripoff of my life. I decided to daydream about being an EMT while I went through the CNA course and found work in a healthcare setting. I was thoroughly disgusted as our instructors skipped over procedures we were technically supposed to know. Our "labs"
included following CNA's around in nursing homes and giving baths, incontinent care, etc. It wasn't long before I realized that the scope of practice of a CNA was butt-wiping in this particular state, though the decades out-of-date skill checklist tried to convey otherwise.
Still, I carried on. I genuinely cared for these residents and wanted to have some experience dealing with consumers of healthcare. But between the never-ending labor, merciless nursing sub-culture, and toxic work environment, I was ready to call it quits when I found out that my application to work at the hospital had been accepted.
This was like a second Christmas. Let me explain-- here in this part of Maine, a CNA has two choices: nursing home and hospital. I know CNAs who have been trying to get into that hospital for five years. I was absolutely exstatic. And sure enough, it was a much better working environment.
Six weeks later, I was fired. CNA's usually have eight patients at a time, and I simply could not handle it. I am not much of a multitasker and this was beyond multitasking. I will say that this department did poorly in terms of supporting and precepting me in many regards, but the ultimate blame rests on me.
I was, and in many ways still am, crushed beyond what I can express. We (I'm married with two kids, including a 7-week old) were doing so well financially and I was happy to be able to provide for my family. After the hospital I made a living doing work in a strawberry field and stocking shelves in the grocery store across the street from the hospital. There have been times where my wife
and I had to sit down and make a budget in order to buy another pack of diapers. I felt like I had failed my family and myself.
Four months later, I'm feeling better about the whole situation. My co-workers at the grocery store are very supportive and friendly and I have unlearned some negative work habits that I picked up as a CNA. And of course, EMS has been in the back of my mind the entire time. I've tried considering a non-healthcare related career. Correction, I've tried FORCING myself to stop thinking about working in healthcare. But between reading this forum back-to-back, watching videos, reading BLS protocols, emailing the president of the local ambulance service with lots of questions... I can't get enough. I want this as a career.
A few problems. First, I was in email contact with the president of the ambulance service while I was becoming a CNA, and I met the man in person during hospital orientation. I am still ashamed of losing my job and don't think I can yet get back into contact, let alone survive a job interview after being fired by the same organization. I do not want to be affiliated with that hospital. I do not want to fight for a job amidst a brigade of new EMT-B's
with that "black mark" on my record. But I am willing to bite the bullet and give it a try.
There are several other ambulance services around, but they entail long commutes and unfamiliar towns. Besides, the local service has a great reputation and showed me what EMS really is. They are my first choice.
I'm a little concerned about burnout as I was burned out within two months of nursing home work. That's not an exaggeration.
And lastly, there is the ever-present fear that I am going to lose my job as a healthcare provider again.
I have delusions about being in the healthcare field. I know most of it involves the elderly and frequent fliers. I've seen a patient have a full-blown stroke before my very eyes, and it was neither glorious nor a moment for heroism. I've performed post-mortem care on several patients and residents for whom I cared deeply. I do not like to talk about it. It was not "fun" or "cool."
I want to go all the way to paramedic. I want to be the individual who responds to your own home in the wee hours of the morning to reassure and treat you. I don't want the glory-- I want to make an impact during a person's moment of greatest need. I know this rarely happens in EMS most of the time... but it happens.
Is EMS worth a shot for me? Or would I be wasting my time? I don't want to fail my family for a second time.
Yes, this is all completely true. And yes, I am only 20 years old...
administer nitroglycerin-- all in a caring, professional manner. From that moment, I wanted EMS as my career.
Problem: I had already signed up for a $1000 CNA course because I was originally shooting for nursing. And yes, it was the biggest ripoff of my life. I decided to daydream about being an EMT while I went through the CNA course and found work in a healthcare setting. I was thoroughly disgusted as our instructors skipped over procedures we were technically supposed to know. Our "labs"
included following CNA's around in nursing homes and giving baths, incontinent care, etc. It wasn't long before I realized that the scope of practice of a CNA was butt-wiping in this particular state, though the decades out-of-date skill checklist tried to convey otherwise.
Still, I carried on. I genuinely cared for these residents and wanted to have some experience dealing with consumers of healthcare. But between the never-ending labor, merciless nursing sub-culture, and toxic work environment, I was ready to call it quits when I found out that my application to work at the hospital had been accepted.
This was like a second Christmas. Let me explain-- here in this part of Maine, a CNA has two choices: nursing home and hospital. I know CNAs who have been trying to get into that hospital for five years. I was absolutely exstatic. And sure enough, it was a much better working environment.
Six weeks later, I was fired. CNA's usually have eight patients at a time, and I simply could not handle it. I am not much of a multitasker and this was beyond multitasking. I will say that this department did poorly in terms of supporting and precepting me in many regards, but the ultimate blame rests on me.
I was, and in many ways still am, crushed beyond what I can express. We (I'm married with two kids, including a 7-week old) were doing so well financially and I was happy to be able to provide for my family. After the hospital I made a living doing work in a strawberry field and stocking shelves in the grocery store across the street from the hospital. There have been times where my wife
and I had to sit down and make a budget in order to buy another pack of diapers. I felt like I had failed my family and myself.
Four months later, I'm feeling better about the whole situation. My co-workers at the grocery store are very supportive and friendly and I have unlearned some negative work habits that I picked up as a CNA. And of course, EMS has been in the back of my mind the entire time. I've tried considering a non-healthcare related career. Correction, I've tried FORCING myself to stop thinking about working in healthcare. But between reading this forum back-to-back, watching videos, reading BLS protocols, emailing the president of the local ambulance service with lots of questions... I can't get enough. I want this as a career.
A few problems. First, I was in email contact with the president of the ambulance service while I was becoming a CNA, and I met the man in person during hospital orientation. I am still ashamed of losing my job and don't think I can yet get back into contact, let alone survive a job interview after being fired by the same organization. I do not want to be affiliated with that hospital. I do not want to fight for a job amidst a brigade of new EMT-B's
with that "black mark" on my record. But I am willing to bite the bullet and give it a try.
There are several other ambulance services around, but they entail long commutes and unfamiliar towns. Besides, the local service has a great reputation and showed me what EMS really is. They are my first choice.
I'm a little concerned about burnout as I was burned out within two months of nursing home work. That's not an exaggeration.
And lastly, there is the ever-present fear that I am going to lose my job as a healthcare provider again.
I have delusions about being in the healthcare field. I know most of it involves the elderly and frequent fliers. I've seen a patient have a full-blown stroke before my very eyes, and it was neither glorious nor a moment for heroism. I've performed post-mortem care on several patients and residents for whom I cared deeply. I do not like to talk about it. It was not "fun" or "cool."
I want to go all the way to paramedic. I want to be the individual who responds to your own home in the wee hours of the morning to reassure and treat you. I don't want the glory-- I want to make an impact during a person's moment of greatest need. I know this rarely happens in EMS most of the time... but it happens.
Is EMS worth a shot for me? Or would I be wasting my time? I don't want to fail my family for a second time.
Yes, this is all completely true. And yes, I am only 20 years old...
