Hi everyone. I've wanted a career in health care my whole life, and I've waffled quite a bit in terms of deciding which path to choose. This fall I chose to enroll in a CNA course and I am loving it so far. Over the past few months, however, EMS has become more and more attractive to me, and I'm considering enrolling in an EMT-b course that is going to be offered in my town next year. I've done a good deal of research (in fact, that's how I stumbled across this site) and I have had some good conversations with the president of the local EMS provider, but there are still a few things I would like to have cleared up.
First, some background-- in this neck of the woods, if you say "BLS ambulance" or "private ambulance company," people will look at you as if you have two heads. It's basically all ALS, hospital-based, dual role 911/IFT. There is only one hospital in the whole county and, hence, one EMS provider, which runs from five bases scattered all over the place answering a good 5500 calls a year. Even though the pay is lower than the national average, EMT's (even basics) are held in high regard, and the utmost professionalism is expected. And I probably don't need to clarify, but this is rural EMS.
That aside, here are some questions I have.
Do you ever regret becoming an EMT?
What is the most enjoyable part of your job?
What is the least enjoyable?
Do you hold a second job?
Have you ever felt that your EMT-b course didn't prepare you enough for a certain situation?
What would you change about EMS if you could?
What is the most productive way I could spend my down-time?
Thanks in advance.