wynter

It's normal..totally normal. The human part of you is screaming " OMG..that isn't right"! But the inexperienced EMT in you is going " That's cool" and the other part of EMT is saying to you " How do I fix this"? Until it becomes second nature, you are going to do that a lot. I have been in EMS for 7 years and until I started working in the "Big City" there was a lot of stuff that I had never seen. The more ya see, the more experience you get. It's actually pretty awesome. Good Luck!

Well, here is my 2 cents worth, eventhough it may not mean much. I am an NREMT-B. I do both Volunteer 911 and Private Full Time Ambulance. While I agree with most people that some people should not hold the title of EMT, I have noticed from my own experience as I work with Medics and RN's as my partners that..often times they forget what it was like as a Basic. Being at the bottom of the totem pole DOES suck, but, we do the best that we can (most of us). Granted some people are just there for the paycheck, and sad to say, some people are just there for the title. I have worked with a few of those myself. Anyways, my point is. I don't think that they are bashing the position, but, mostly the people that hold the position. I've seen some lousy Basics..but I've also seen some lousy Medics. So, I don't think that anyone is in the right or wrong..for those of us that are still at the bottom..for now, we don't know what it's like to be anything else. For the people higher up..I think some of them just need to stop and think once in awhile. As the saying goes; Paramedics save lives..EMT's save Paramedics. Hope I didn't piss anyone off.

Well...while I agree with everyone else..here is my opinion..and it is exactly only that. This is coming from someone who, despite shitty wages and benefits..has found a long time career in EMS. I am currently a basic and planning on R.N. within the year. Anyways; my advice to you is this. I just had back surgery in Feb '07 to repair 3 herniated discs. My Neurosurgeon says that I just have shitty luck and eventually it will come to rods and spinal fusions no matter how good of care I take of my back. The same is with your knee..you just don't know what will happen..we know what the probable chances are with the demands of the job. Anyways, back on track..I look at it this way Medic or Medical School, it's up to you, but, if you are anything like me..I'm going down with a bang. If I can't avoid the situation no matter what, I'm gonna go down doing what I love to do. In your case..if you wanna be a Doctor..go straight for Medical school and skip the Medic..Good Luck!