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Thanks for providing such a warm and friendly atmosphere to come to, and for your guidance, suggestions, and insight. Every day I learn a little bit more about EMS and how to be a paramedic, and it's great to have another route to share stories and learn from people with as much experience as you all. As far as the "youngins" comments, I don't mind. The other day at the ER one of the nurses asked me how old I was and they said, "Eighteen... but only because I assume you have to be at least eighteen to be a paramedic." So I don't mind.

Likewise, thanks to everyone for there support and advice over the years. I’ll use Richards analogy here, remember all those years ago when that little annoying 15 year old ‘whippersnapper’ was the perile of your worst nightmares and made you sit bolt up right at night? Well 5 years later I certainly hope things have improved dramatically! Even though I’ve been lurking around these parts for some years I’m still the fresh faced, green 20 year old who’s hopefully on the right track to becoming a competent and educated health care professional. I hope to be the recipient of some extremely welcoming news within the next few weeks (exam results) and I hope to be completing my last year of this blasted nursing degree next year and hopefully move onto the paramedic degree in the not to distance future, which is were my passion lies. I sometimes feel a little out of my depth on here as the Bachelor of Nursing course I’m currently undertaking is a little behind the eighth ball when it comes to acute and emergency care, while we do have a few subjects that relate to acute patient care we do have other subjects such as mental health, health promotion and it appears to be more of a general overlook of health care rather than a straight focus on emergency care like the paramedic course. Our in-depth acute and emergency care is delivered within a post graduate diploma course, so at times I find myself not in a position to contribute effectively to the discussion and certainly find myself researching information that is posted here on a regular basis. I also continue with my first responder standby gigs as I feel it keeps my finger in the pie when it comes to managing incident scenes and providing that first line emergency care (even though were just at a BLS level) which is just something nurses are not regularly exposed to. I also got a job as an LPN in a busy, regional emergency department which is quiet exciting and I enjoy it very much. It’s very challenging and a very steep learning curve, I sometimes wonder why they employed an inexperienced, young LPN because my education and knowledge is dismal compared to the other RNs and Doctors who I work with. When things get busy I’m left to deal with some very sick patients which is extremely scary (I sometimes come home shaking) but everyone is very supportive and incredibly more than happy to answer any questions I have or go that extra mile to show me how something works. I’m very luck to be employed in such a job considering the other 3 LPNs who work there have like 30 years experience and a lot more education than me. In conclusion I thank you guys for all the advice and at times stern wake up calls that have influenced more career decisions, answered my sometimes silly questions and motivated me through the tough times. Hopefully I can be a success story and fortunately I haven’t burnt out as many of you feared all those years ago, the spark is still well alight!

I'd like to thank you all for listening and responding to not only my posts, but everyone else who posts here as well. I'm glad I can come here to ask questions, read other topics, or ask for advice, and get responses, which by the way are pretty helpful & inspiring to me most of the time. I've actually learned quite a bit from being here already by talking to some of you and reading different posts. I can't wait till I start my schooling to learn even more. So again, thank you all for being so helpful to us all. I appreciate it for sure. You guys also probably don't know but I look up to you all. You guys are who I hope to be someday. (with my own personality, thoughts, and all that of course) lol.. but you know.. EMT wise. I will study hard and do my best to succeed.

As most of the frequent flyers around here I have a very long military family history, for that matter my last years post concerning the most holy of days 11 day/11 month/11 hour was a message to my children. It's the Military, not the reporter who has given us the freedom of the press. It's the Military, not the poet, who has given us the freedom of speech. It's the Military, not the politicians that ensures our right to life, liberty or freedom to practice any religion of our choosing. It's the Military who salutes the flag, who serves beneath the flag, and whose coffin is draped by the flag. This year I received a story that I would like to share from a friend who served as a Physicians Assistant in Canadian Armed Forces for 20 years this is what she replied to my email in red above and red for good reason. Within minutes of receiving PA CAF email and now feeling very, very angry and crushed that some one would even say this to a Veteran, thinking to myself IS that this attitude taught in the schools ? I believe in Karma next click of "send receive" my little sister an ex RCMP sent me this story do I have to say I forwared this story to my friend and now all friends of EMT City. http://www.snopes.com/glurge/nodesks.asp TRUE.

Mazrin, to start off with, great first post ! Stick around the City, you should find it invaluable during your tenure in EMS. Although there are some great posts on this thread, I would like to give you a perspective from more of a mental standpoint coming from a young age. I am a 23 year old Paramedic. I am in eastern NC, and my EMS experience is limited to this area. With that in mind, anything said following this is not necessarily how things are on the national level. As a young person entering the EMS field, it can be quite a challenge. Being this young, we still have a lot in life to figure out. I have noticed (personal experience) that between the ages of 18 and 23, we are learning how to be "our own person". The mentality changes from being a follower (do what your teacher says, do what your parents say, etc...) to being an independent young adult really leaves us with quite different advantages and disadvantages. We learn to maintain discipline to do what is good and right, in light of not having consequences placed by authority figures (such as parents/teachers). We are still developing the skills necessary to stand up for ourselves as to not be taken advantage of by others. We are learning to better interact as an adult with other adults who can outrank us greatly with life experience. EMS can have a great impact on the young adult’s development. With that being said, the negativity in EMS, without having that life experience, can be overwhelming and bring out characteristics that you may not be proud of. It is important for you to be open minded with your new experiences, as you need to be able to decipher the good from the bad, and to think independently, and not follow the closed minded views you are certain to face. Without being touchy-feely, but rather quite honest, EMS experiences can create quite a roller coaster ride in your life. For me, I have reflected and noticed many changes that I contribute to my EMS experience. It really forced me to be a more confident person (although that is still changing to this day for me). Others typically will look down towards a fresh and young looking face, chalking us up to being hormonal and inexperienced, not really belonging in a high stress medical career. It taught me that I had to improve my confidence skills, which has been a positive impact on me being "my own person". The confidence shows others that you are ready to embark on the EMS journey. At the same time, it is important to be humble and realize that there is still a lot more for us to learn. As others have mentioned, separating work and personal life has also been another lesson. Although not limited to the young adults, I think for young adults, it where the skill is best learned. It was quite easy for me to succumb to bringing my stress from work to home. Starting out with good habits and practices can define how your whole EMS experience is. Although you are still in the learning phase, remember to learn what is right. The best learning you can do is to question and find out for yourself, not relying on Joe Blow’s opinion. On a financial level, many people find EMS to be inadequate. Being young and unmarried, it is more money than I probably need. It is nice to see a paycheck and know that I have plenty of money to do pretty much what I like to do. Now applying that to a family would be different. While I believe it is doable, with an EMS salary, to support a family, more money is always better, right? Many families live off of less money than an EMT makes, so, it should be doable. Will it be easy, though, probably not. When I get married and have three kids popped out, I’ll come back and let you know how it worked out. I like my job though. I enjoy the nature of the work, the environment, challenges, and learning aspects of the job. That isn’t to say that it is the mother lode of all jobs. I am quite sure there are other jobs out there where I could be just as happy, if not happier, and better off. Why do I stay you ask? Well, probably complacency. But, it is not uncommon to stay where one feels safe and secure. Changes can be scary and that probably has a bit to do why people feel stuck in the profession. As far as careers to transition into, most feel that EMS should not be a transition career, although most think it is. I say transition into whatever you will be happiest with. A lot of folks transition into nursing, some move on to PA and the like. Others though, remain in the profession. There are also opportunities to work in a hospital or clinic setting as a paramedic, so there are some options for you. At our age, there is so much to do, I wouldn’t recommend making up your mind, but rather being flexible. Realize that in a year from now, your thinking and mindset will be different, and as such, your decisions for changes need to be made accordingly. My successes are not based on buying a house or raising a family working EMS. Rather I consider the success to be personal in nature, in that I am happy with the decisions and directions my life has endured. I think that is the key reason you find such negativity in EMS. Many people are unable to be a generally happy person. I am sure you are familiar with the saying ‘misery loves company’. Make any sense? Good luck Marzin, I hope this helps. If you wish anymore information from the ‘kids’ perspective, just ask ! Matt.

Some of us already have...

So... I've finally broken down and started a blog up. I'll definitely still stay posting on the forums and all, but it will be nice to have a larger place to comment. EMT-Medical Student

And bow out you should. This post show you to be a hypocrite and destroys your entire point. Other than the one link that showed a hispanic or white kid, not sure which, the race wasn't stated in any of the other stories. Why would you then assume that they were white? You must have if you'd posted these in support of your point. Obviously the noose was from a white man, right? Wait, where have we had another noose story, of a black being tormented with a noose....ahhh, that's right, it was another black man that did that!! Does that excuse the white idiots that due like things? Of course not, it only exposes you for the shallow troll that you truly seem to be. I keep hoping that you'll show yourself to be intelligent enough to have a conversation, but unfortunately you're simply ignorant and angry. You have no desire to educate, only to blame. You have no need to move forward as being stagnant serves your purposes much better. You have no need to stand up as crying is more your style. There are many, many blacks that inspire and yet you choose to make yourself an anchor to their cause? I'm sorry about that, I'd wish better for you... Dwayne

Not going into a potentially dangerous situation (be it in 'socioeconomic depressed sections of town or whether in affluent sections of town) isn't 'racist' it's called COMMON SENSE. In order to be considered 'racist' by any standards, one would have to compromise the level of care rendered based on race, color, creed, religion, gender or socio-economic criteria. We are not talking about oroviding 'compromised care' for the poor, black, white, purple, green or any other color. Nor are we talking about giving enhanced care to the affluent (again regardless of color). As far as your example (the wrecked flaming vehicle in the front yard), if we cannot get near the scene due to hazardous conditions, I don't see where there is anything we can do. Charging blindly into a situation without assessing the risks or a known unsafe scene is foolhardy at best. For the Councilman to even suggest it makes it clear that we are only 'public servants' and our safety means NOTHING to him. Remember, "the rescuer who needs to be rescued is of no use to anyone, and creates a drain on otherwise limited resources!". You stated that our job is hazardous to begin with. To not take steps to attempt to mitigate the hazards is insane. You're so quick to play the 'race card' in every thread you post to, that you seem to forget that not everybody lives or works in Suburbia, USA and lives next door to Ward and June Cleaver. There are some of us that have worked in some of the roughest neighborhoods in the most dangerous cities in the United States (based on FBI crime statistics). Until you can tell me that you've worked and lived in those areas, don't you DARE call ME a 'racist' or even IMPLY that I compromise the care given to ANYONE without concrete facts! Yes, I've worked some of the worst sections of Metro Detroit (which has topped the list of the most dangerous cities in the United States more than once. I have lived in Flint, Michigan; which is currently the fifth most dangerous city in the United States based on the FBI's 2009 Uniform Crime Reporting Program) With the frequency that you stir hell and havoc in this forum, I actually think you live to create strife. Your antagonisitc tendencies are what's labeled you a 'forum troll'. You're quick to blame EVERYONE for the problems faced by certain minorities, but what have you done to come up with a solution? Please explain to the rest of the class how it is that only WHITES can be 'racist', when your actions alone suggest the contrary?

And it's about damned time. I am sick to death of you derailing threads with your race comments, and your own agenda, and I don't really care who is right and who is wrong, YOU derail many threads. YOU make arguments without backing them up with statistics or references (oh, I correct myself - you made 1 reference that you backed up with a link). YOU ignore the original posts so that you can get on your soapbox about race issues. Every one of your arguments in this thread has been race related, and have no bearing on the original article posted. Even when you were asked to keep your posts related to the original thread, you refused. YOU are every bit as racist as you accuse others of being, by the way you treat others here on these boards. YOU throw the first stone every time, and accuse others of racist behaviors without proof. YOU accuse people in these forums of being racist, but whenever someone presents an alternative view, you scream even harder that others are racist. You demand respect when you do not give the same, and wonder why you are not respected. It has nothing to do with race, and everything to do with your own actions. You want to start a thread on race, do it, but quit derailing other threads for your own agenda.

No! It is NOT a BLS topic! It may well be an EMT topic, but it is NOT a BLS topic. If your MD lets EMT's perform brain surgery, then that becomes an EMT skill, but it does NOT become a BLS skill. There is a difference here that is more than mere semantics, and you need to understand that difference if you are going to practise responsibly and professionally. BLS does not define a scope of practise. BLS is a very specific group of basic skills. The key term there is BASIC. Anything that is advanced is not basic. Anything invasive is advanced, not basic. And "Basic" is a term we are using to describe the skills being used, not the certification level of the provider. The inability to separate the two in your mind is frightening.

BLS pharmacology is an oxymoron. But yes, the distinction between "assisting" and "administering" is an important one. One that most EMT's seem to forget. Regardless, if you are participating in the administration of dangerous drugs, you are practising ALS. Period. I don't care if you're an EMT, a PCP, an EMR or a MFR. Drug administration is not BLS. And it is not merely semantics. It is a very important concept for basics to understand. If you run around thinking, "Oh, this is just BLS because the let EMT's do it," you're going to screw it up and kill somebody. It's serious business. Respect it as such.