kdietman87

My mother is the same way. I've heard all her crap about how I should do something where I can make more money or have more of a prestigious career. But once I told her that I was going to do it anyway, she was still pissed. She still wants me to do something different, but I make it a point to tell her about our saves and all our really exciting calls. Then, last month when she got sick and I knew what was wrong with her and what she needed to do, I think she really got the idea that this isn't a meaningless job and that I really love what I do. Don't lose hope. As long as they will still support your other goals, keep the peace. They'll get the picture eventually, even if it takes a sickness on their part to get it.

Thanks for the clarification. I just misunderstood.

Thanks for all the input. I appreciate all the helpful hints. I have heard of the FMLA and I understand it completely. I have been with this department for less than a year and I do not expect elaborate measures to be taken to accommodate me. Most of my beef is that the director refuses to even discuss the matter. As for the comment: A very wise bumper sticker philosopher says, "poor planning on your part does not constitute an emergency on my part." These issues should be thoroughly considered and reconciled by the prospective mother well before she gets herself knocked up. You don't just choose to have a baby at a poor time in your life and blame the inconvenience on your employer. Unless, of course, the employer is also the father. I doubt that you are a father. I did not get knocked up, I got pregnant. It is not a poor time in my life. I'm married, my husband has a good job and well established in our community and is very supportive. We have a nice home, two fully functional vehicles, a dog, and many other responsibilities. I do not blame my director for my inconvenience, I'm just asking for some consideration into the fact that I am a very good EMT and am constantly working to get better and learn more. I intend to work for that company for a very long time and I just need to know what opportunities exist. That's called good business. That's why there are laws set up - to ensure rights are protected. I don't need free hand outs - just a little help like everyone else. I am very excited about my son being born and I shouldn't have to give up my niche in life just because I've become a mother. Fathers don't have to do that. I'm just trying to keep up. Thanks again, and I'll use your advise!

Okay so I got job in a new town where we work 24-48s and the place is run like a business - not an EMS family like my other department. I got pregnant soon after being hired and I have had a quite a few problems because of it. First of all, my department doesn't have any type of maternity leave set up and my director isn't exactly in a hurry to get anything firgured out. On top of that, he said that the last 2 women who have been pregnant have been fired for 'other reasons'. But the big problem is that I don't know when I should quit working. This isn't a hard job, necessarily. But, when you are tired, sore, and sick all the time, it becomes really hard. My doctor said that since there isn't any light duty, and would lose the income, that I could work as long as I felt comfortable. I need the money but it is already much harder to lift. I'm at 25 weeks right now. So my question - how long should I lift for? What have been your experiences and have you had any complications from continuing to lift our not so light patients?

Thanks, I'll look that up....It's killing me not being able to find the article.

Has anyone taken the Illinois EMT-I state exam this year? I heard it was horribly difficult and didn't even remotely align with national cirriculum. I'm going to take it at the end of the month and I was just wondering what other people thought about it so that I could study for it. Thanks

Was wondering if anyone read last month's.....JEMS, I think.....It had an article in it about how too much albuterol in a short period of time will throw pt.'s into V-Tach, even if it's just in small runs. Does anyone remember that article. I need to know where to find it, if it was last month's edition, and what magazine exactly that it was......Appreciate any help.

Like said before...you should really talk to your doc about it first. But here's what I've found: I had a back injury that put me in therapy and chiropractic care 3 times a week for a year. I am ok now but still have scoliosis and two slight disk bulges (not as bad as yours). I was told this job is killer and yeah at times my back kills. BUT if you are serious about doing this and keeping your back healthy - regimen lifting, strength training, and one on one with your doc often, maybe even a personal trainer's advice - you can do it. There are usually other people to help you. You do have to do a lot on your own, but it's no different from anyone else. I don't lift a pt. if I feel I cannot do it or that I may sustain an injury afterwards. If you really commit yourself to this exciting, rewarding career, you can definately find the motivation to keep yourself healthy and strong. Besides, sitting in a desk chair all day isn't any good for your back either. You will have back injuries, you will have pain from time to time. But unless you have a debilitating problem, just stay healthy and keep in contact with your doc and you should be fine. Hope that helps, KD