KangaRoo

Dwayne- I have just always been drawn to EMS. I like the idea of being one of the first people on the scene of an incident to help keep people alive. I'm sure it's one of the most stressful and emotionally draining healthcare jobs out there, but I tend to thrive under stress- the year I spent in Afghanistan was my favorite time in the Army. I've batted around the idea of nursing as well, but getting to head to different locations and situations is really appealing. My main worries (other than the family thing) is making a living wage. I would totally be up for working as a medic/firefighter as almost all the agencies in my area require, it's the getting hired thing that could be an issue. I know I need to take it slow and spend some time volunteering before I go jump into a whole new career, but I'm really excited about the prospect of going back to school.

Thanks! I'm going to start the class to get my EMT-B license reactivated in January, then try to start volunteering to see if I'm really cut out for it. Thanks to the GI Bill, I should be able to go ahead and get an AAS if it is what I really want to do, though getting a full time job in EMS sounds like quite the challenge...

Thanks for the clarification- I asked about kids because I would like to have kids, so it will be relavent if I go into this field. I was looking for insights from parents, so I got exactly what I asked for. I was trying to avoid the whole "read my boring autobiography then tell me what to do with my life" situation in my original post- thats why I just asked about working and raising children instead of going into my current personal situation. I assumed that anyone who replied would do so because they felt like sharing. I appreciate the responses and I don't feel like I forced anyone to put forth a ton of effort for no reason, though I'm sorry of that was really the case. Can I try this again? I am married and in my 20's, no kids but I want to have one or two in the future. My husband does shift work as well, but I do have family in the area who could help out with child care from time to time. I did the EMT-B course in high school and loved it, but I ran off and joined the Army instead of working in the field. Now that I'm back at home and settling down, I'm seriously considering going back to school, getting into EMS and becoming a Paramedic if it turns out I enjoy the work and have the aptitiude. I know there are a million other considerations before picking a career and I have been doing a ton of research, but every Firefighter and EMT I know is super young or a lifelong bachelor. What I would like to hear is the experiences of full time EMTs and Paramedics who have kids, especially if your spouse works as well. Is it doable? Do you have to depend on family members for child care all the time? What type of agency do you work for? Do you feel that your career is simply too demanding of your time to care for a child as well? I figured a long and not very exciting wall of text would not get me off on the right foot here, but I guess my original question was insufficient. I dind't mean to come back and complain that people couldn't read my mind and know my exact situation, it just seemed like some of the replies were geared toward someone who was trying to start in the field while already a single parent. It is really amazing and encouraging that people out there have managed to do so, though.

Yikes that's rough. I don't quite understand how me not having children right now invalidates me wanting to hear from medics who do have children. I didn't state that I was a single mother in my original post but I'm sorry if I gave people that impression and that is somehow stressful for you. If it matters to anyone, your replies were very informative and encouraging. I just wanted to know what raising a family while working in EMS was like (that's what I intended to ask, sorry if it was poorly worded) I didn't think anyone would have any interest in my autobiograpy, thats why I didn't go into my current family status. Sorry if everyone feels I've waisted your time. As for "not needing you help", how am I supposed to find this stuff out without, you know, asking someone? All the EMTs I know are either part-time volunteers or super young and single. I don't mean to sound argumentative, I just don't quite understand why asking about a situation I'm not in right now was such a sin.

Thanks for all the helpful replies! Maybe I should have been more clear though- I am actually neither single nor a mother right now, so school wouldn't be as huge of an issue for me as someone trying to get into the field with a family to support already. My husband and I are both shift workers right now, so I get to see the best and worst of having a 24 hour schedule. My husband works 12 hour shifts (Corrections Officer) but he has a predictable, stable schedule with plenty of time off and always works the same shift. I work at a small business and work anywhere from 8-12 hour shifts at all times of the day and night- I get the impression most EMS hours are more like my schedule right now. I don't plan on having kids for quite a while, and my husband is incredibly supportive, but it is something I worry about. Almost all the agencies in my area use dual role firefighters/EMTs, so I would probably end up doing that.

I have been seriously looking into EMS as a career, but the question of being able to raise a family while doing 24 hour shifts is someting that gives me pause. I would love to hear from some EMTs/Paramedics who have or are raising kids while working full time, especially females. Do any of you folks have a spouse who does shift work as well?