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What's the most difficult thing about being a Paramedic/EMT?
I'm in 9th grade, and currently researching and learning more about what Paramedics and EMTs do, and just want to know what would be the most difficult thing about being a paramedic/EMT? #student
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Ned C. K.’s Answer
Hi Abraham,
I love answering these types of questions and no, I'm not referring to questions about being a Paramedic or EMT, I'm referring to questions that are very subjective. For some people the most difficult thing about these roles will be overcoming the challenge of working with people who are severely injured and in pain while for others the challenge will be working in a stressful environment where your choices in the moment affect whether someone may live or die.
To get to the heart of what you find challenging I'd recommend going to your local fire station and introducing yourself and sharing that you are interested in possibly pursuing this as a career. In learning just what a Paramedic or EMT does during the day, during the week, and on average, will give you an idea of their day to day experiences. Once you know this you will be able to compare that knowledge with what you know about yourself where you can decide what you'd find challenging about those careers.
Lastly, let the fire station Captain know that you had some questions about those careers and wanted to know if he or any of his team would be willing to answer them. Now I can't speak for your local station but my step father retired as a Captain after 30 years and I'd suspect they'd welcome your interest in a career that they too are passionate about. This would be the absolute best way to learn about being a Paramedic or EMT and what is challenging/difficult about those roles. Good luck.
I love answering these types of questions and no, I'm not referring to questions about being a Paramedic or EMT, I'm referring to questions that are very subjective. For some people the most difficult thing about these roles will be overcoming the challenge of working with people who are severely injured and in pain while for others the challenge will be working in a stressful environment where your choices in the moment affect whether someone may live or die.
To get to the heart of what you find challenging I'd recommend going to your local fire station and introducing yourself and sharing that you are interested in possibly pursuing this as a career. In learning just what a Paramedic or EMT does during the day, during the week, and on average, will give you an idea of their day to day experiences. Once you know this you will be able to compare that knowledge with what you know about yourself where you can decide what you'd find challenging about those careers.
Lastly, let the fire station Captain know that you had some questions about those careers and wanted to know if he or any of his team would be willing to answer them. Now I can't speak for your local station but my step father retired as a Captain after 30 years and I'd suspect they'd welcome your interest in a career that they too are passionate about. This would be the absolute best way to learn about being a Paramedic or EMT and what is challenging/difficult about those roles. Good luck.
Updated
Donna’s Answer
Abraham;
I am not a paramedic but my son is. He started volunteering with the local fire department in High School and is now a full time firefighter/EMT.
As per the previous answer the challenges you face in the job are geared to your personality. What one person may find a challenge another may not.
For my son, he says the most challenging aspect of the job is to not get angry in the face of some of the situations. For example, when they go into a home where the family is "caring" for an elderly person. And that person is laying in their own feces. Or when staff at the hospital turns the ambulance away to take the patient to another hospital because they can't take any more people in the ER. Or when during a fire people are going into the building to get personal property, while firefighters are trying to put out the fire and rescue people that are injured or trapped.
These are some of the stories he has brought home and told me in frustration.
I am not a paramedic but my son is. He started volunteering with the local fire department in High School and is now a full time firefighter/EMT.
As per the previous answer the challenges you face in the job are geared to your personality. What one person may find a challenge another may not.
For my son, he says the most challenging aspect of the job is to not get angry in the face of some of the situations. For example, when they go into a home where the family is "caring" for an elderly person. And that person is laying in their own feces. Or when staff at the hospital turns the ambulance away to take the patient to another hospital because they can't take any more people in the ER. Or when during a fire people are going into the building to get personal property, while firefighters are trying to put out the fire and rescue people that are injured or trapped.
These are some of the stories he has brought home and told me in frustration.