slomedic13

OK, I have been catching a lot of flack for saying EMS is a "calling." I know it is an over used word, but how can you not define a career choice (into any profession) that is motivated by passion and a stirring in your gut to not be a calling? Whatever rocks your socks should be what you do for a living! If it is under-water basket weaving, then find a way to make a living at it. Life is way too short to take a job just because it pays your bills. If you are not doing what God created you to do, then you have missed exactly what you were supposed to find! That is why I used the word "calling." While each one of us was being created, God put a desire, a higher purpose, into each one of our hearts and psyches. So, if you all want to through more mud balls, go for it. At least I am doing what I am most passionate about. I will not have any regrets, wondering about "should have" and "could haves."

But say it with a smile and sweet voice, and they won't even realize you just gave them their "here's your sign" card!

Anything that offers a paycheck is a profession by definition. If you choose your career by what you can gain, then by all means look at it as strictly a "profession." If you are doing the work that you were created to do, the work that allows you to find that extra bit of value and worth within yourself (not your entire worth and value), work that affords you the opportunity to make a positive impact in this world....THAT is a CALLING, not a mere profession!

I in no way wish to throw more fuel on the fire. There have been a few very passionate posts on this topic. I for one will always remember 9/11. I have the "cheesy" bumper sticker and patches (thanks for that colorful description by the way.). I was personally impacted by this act of war. Even if I hadn't known people who died in the Pentagon, or narrowly escaped from the WTC, I still would take this very personally. My country was attacked!! Innocent people, people just trying to live their lives, were massacred! How can you not want to honor them? How can you not want to remember, so that you can appreciate the sacrifices our soldiers are making for us? It seems to me that you have to be extremely shallow or heartless to not remember. With that said, there is an amazing laser show that was done with God Bless the USA accompanying it on myspace. The link is GOD Bless the USA, remembering 9/11 We have to be strong emotionally, intellectually and physically to do our jobs. That strength is what allows us to have compassion for our patients and their families. It is also what gets us up in the morning to do our jobs. If you are in EMS for just the paycheck, you are more than encouraged to leave! The pay sucks, the hours sucks and usually the food sucks! But hey, what other job out there can you deliver a baby while lying on the ceiling of a car that rolled, because you can't extricate the mother yet? Where else can you impact someone's life during probably the absolute worst moment they have experienced? The secret is that most of us would do this even if there was no paycheck. EMS is not "just a job," it is a calling! Be safe out there! Be Blessed! EMS Heroes

LMAO! Are you sure you don't live in my area?? I have to say your list is spot on! The stupid remarks and questions from the ER staff take the cake, though! Q: Did you use an epi pen to give him three doses of epi? (cardiac arrest patient) receiving RN asked after receiving report. A: Ummm, yeah, sure, I thought his allergies were acting up! Q: Can you run the sirens whenever you want to? A: Nope, only when our patients make us. Q: This man is face down on the backboard. (shock and horror in the RN's voice when we rolled in. I had advised them that the patient was "upside down" on the BB when I called report.) Why?! A: Do you NOT see the large metal object protruding from his back?? And the list goes on and on! I know that several people made comments about how we need to be nice to the public, and yes, we do. But, hey, this is not the public! We don't have to be nice here! If we can't laugh about it here, we might be mean out there. Be safe out there! Be Blessed!! EMS Heroes