picchick Posted February 2, 2009 Share Posted February 2, 2009 [quote name='sweens8403' post='1768222' date='Feb 1 2009, 12:06 AM']Hey guys, right now i'm in the middle of paramedic school. Things are going well, my grades are still all A's. Nonetheless I'm having a little bit of a problem. As a paramedic the level of responsibility and therefore liability increases exponentially from that required of me as an EMT. Frankly with the more invasive procedures medics can perform (primarily I'm concerned about the pharmacological aspect) there are more ways I can get myself into a bind and (God forbid) end up hurting a patient of mine. If I were to either withdraw or not pass the class, there are plenty of fire departments that don't require a medic license. The medic license just gives me more options. On the other hand ALS departments (those requiring medics) will probably pay better. I'm trying to plan for the future; building a career with which I can support the family I hope to have someday, saving to buy a house, etc. To others in the medical field: Am I just freaking out? Or is this a period of responsible consideration that many good medical personnel go through? I love working as a Firefighter/EMT, so I don't want to go into any other field. I would appreciate your thoughts.[/quote] In my opinion, I would go for the medic license. There is the risk always that you will end up hurting someone. However, like Winchester said, if you follow the book and protocols then you should be good to go. I often fear a great deal of things: What if I hang the wrong med? What if my patient's transfusion goes bad? What happens if I get my patient mad? Lawsuits in the hospital are a scary thing. When one patient sues a hospital, everyone on their chart gets pulled up. So if I charted one day on a patient who decided to sue, I am going to be called into the lawsuit. The medical profession is scary. I am finding that it becomes less scary the more you work in it. Another thing is I bought insurance. I do not trust the hospital to cover my butt if something does go wrong. I am not sure if you all have that for EMT/Paramedic/Fireman but it is probably something worth looking into if it will bring you peace of mind. I honestly would not let fear of mistakes stop you from doing what you need to do. We are human and we make mistakes. Protocols, schooling, training all help to lessen that room for error. If you do the right thing and you don't slack off then you will be fine. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
picchick Posted February 2, 2009 Share Posted February 2, 2009 [quote name='Winchester' post='1768846' date='Feb 1 2009, 07:12 PM']Private EMS will eat your soul. Start a company and employ willing goons. They will enjoy wearing pants with the scissors and lights in the little pockets and you will enjoy gobs of cash. I never did go to private EMS as a side job and I'm glad I didn't, in retrospect. At one time, I thought I would.[/quote] Oh my gosh...I totally dislike working with these people. I had one incident where I will never look or talk with a private EMS guy again. I get mad just thinking about it. Most of them will be somewhat ok...but you are totally right. They have that attitude. "Yep....I am an EMT" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
picchick Posted February 2, 2009 Share Posted February 2, 2009 [quote name='Paddington' post='1768553' date='Feb 1 2009, 02:03 PM']Get him a job Winchester. And me. And we can have our own sit-com. Instead of 'Scrubs' it'll be called whatever those big, heavy thingies are called. Pac-Meg can drive the truck. And after she saves our behinds, we'll stop making sexist remarks to her. Until the next episode when we're jerks again.[/quote] Somehow sexist remarks and driving the truck doesn't sound like they go together. I'll go for the sitcom though. It would be like EMERGENCY! without the MERGENCY! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Winchester Posted February 2, 2009 Share Posted February 2, 2009 [quote name='Paddington' post='1768553' date='Feb 1 2009, 02:03 PM']Get him a job Winchester. And me. And we can have our own sit-com. Instead of 'Scrubs' it'll be called whatever those big, heavy thingies are called. Pac-Meg can drive the truck. And after she saves our behinds, we'll stop making sexist remarks to her. Until the next episode when we're jerks again.[/quote] Totally missed this. I have no power. Three classes this year. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paddington Posted February 2, 2009 Share Posted February 2, 2009 [quote name='picchick' post='1769544' date='Feb 2 2009, 03:33 AM']Somehow sexist remarks and driving the truck doesn't sound like they go together.[/quote] I thought your very own firetruck would take some edge off the other part. [quote name='picchick' post='1769544' date='Feb 2 2009, 03:33 AM']I'll go for the sitcom though. It would be like EMERGENCY! without the MERGENCY![/quote] 1. Sitcom 2. I've never seen EMERGENCY! and don't get the other part. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paddington Posted February 2, 2009 Share Posted February 2, 2009 [quote name='Winchester' post='1769628' date='Feb 2 2009, 08:00 AM']Totally missed this. I have no power. Three classes this year.[/quote] Oh. That's okay. No problem. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
picchick Posted February 3, 2009 Share Posted February 3, 2009 [quote name='Paddington' post='1769888' date='Feb 2 2009, 02:34 PM']Oh. That's okay. No problem. [/quote] we can still pretend Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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