CodeMack

I've been called an "ambulance driver" plenty of times myself, but what I've noticed more often is EMT-B's are often regarded as medic's. Even before I finished my medic class patients and others would call me a paramedic. I usually didn't correct them because I felt I was soon to be a medic anyway. But then it can get touchy because there's that fine line to tread....giving the impression you are something other than you're licensed as. The other title I've heard in reference is "EMS person". We would take turns, one day it would be my turn to tend to the patient, and the next shift I would be the one driving so we would joke when we'd get toned out to a trauma and say something like "Don't look at me, I'm just the dumb driver!" LOL. Seriously tho, none of it ever bothered me, but I know that some of my partners would get torqued over being referred to as the ambulance driver. What I'm having a hard time with now is that I was forced to resign my position with EMS. I'd been off on injury (non-comp, naturally) since June and my neurosurgeon still won't clear me to lift over 25 pounds, so I finally had to let go of my slot on the roster to enable the county to hire someone else to take my place. Was probably the hardest thing I've ever done. When you wake up in the morning and can't wait to get to work, then you know you've found your niche. I love EMS and everything it entails, so for me to have to walk away, it really really is quite depressing. What I wouldn't give to play "ambulance driver" again... As I always say...don't fret it. Life's too short to let the petty stuff get to ya, especially when others lives are in your hands. What we do is nothing short of acting as angels. The outcome of our patients is ultimately in God's hands. We do what He gave us the ability to do which in turn helps carry out His intention for our patients. Sometimes that means, driving the ambulance. No different than the police officer driving the patrol car or the FF driving the engine. Next time someone refers to you as the driver...just look at them, smile and say "Why thank you, and I'm damn good at it too I might add!" *grins* (I do admit, I like the suggestions some of you gave to call the RN the aide in return....funny!) [/font:1ae905612c]