Why You Shouldn't Go Into EMS 

People coming into EMS are like, "I'm going to save lives and make a difference!" The saving lives and making a difference = Picking up Joe off of another meth high to bring him back to the hospital because he was sitting outside the gas station again.

I just finished my second month as mainly an IFT EMT with a little 911 mixed in there. I’ve only seen a couple traumas. This job is a blessing. As a newbie I thought I was gonna be doing crazy stuff all the time. And I was scared to start. But once I got on the road and realized it’s not all that, all the nerves went away and i started enjoying my career. I’m only 21 years old. The amount of advice I have received from the elderly while I am providing care is insane. I couldn’t ask for more in this career. If you are thinking of it I say give it a try. The worst that comes out of it is you find out the road is not for you. There are lots of other positions you can get with a EMT license. You only live once!

Well said. The one thing, that you didn’t mention or maybe I just missed it, is the mental health side of things. You have to be the kind of person that can handle seeing some pretty bad stuff. I’ve got 13 years as a FF/Medic and it’s crazy the things you see. I warn people that are thinking about getting into this that you will see things that no “normal” person wants to or should see and you will remember those incidents for the rest of your life. Just make sure you have a good spouse and a good crew that you can talk about these events and get them off your chest. Especially with COVID going on, this is taking a huge mental health toll on every medical profession. Stay safe everyone and find someone you can talk to if you feel overwhelmed, don’t become a statistic because I hate seeing the suicides in our profession.

As a nurse I am always evaluating the services of my colleagues. EMTS are the ones usually consistently providing me or my patients with highly quality service. As a nurse I depend on them, it is sad they get paid so little. I find that the biggest problem with all medical jobs is communication with other medical teams and with the patients. Great tips. The pay is working poor level for the quality and high level of service you all provide. As a nurse I make a little more but I am still living out of my vehicle. Without fixing our medical system here in the US we won't make a good living. Thanks man!

Me, bright eyed and bushy tailed "I'm going to save my community!" Me, two years into EMS on my 15th call of the day "Jesus christ Jim. This is the third time this week you've called for ankle pain"

As a civilian that doesn’t know the inner workings of ems/fire/police I’ve always thought the paramedics stood just as tall as the rest .

As a student in an EMT course right now I really appreciate the videos and input from the comments. I have known what I was getting into from the start I have a great instructor who hasn't sugar coated anything. I have wanted to do this profession for 11 years now and I truly cant wait to be apart of the change. Thank you again to those in the comments sharing your stories and thank you PrepMedic for providing more insight!

Thank you for this. Been in the profession for over 10 years and seen so many people come in and expect to do high level work (Arrests, MVA, etc) every day and don’t realize that it’s more about the little things we do every day when we do the daily runs (dialysis, hospital to home, etc) I’ve told everyone I see going into paramedic from EMT that they need a reason why they do what they do to fall back on when the schooling and work schedule gets hard and you have sleepless nights, it’s what kept me going thru my training. I too have seen so many burnt out folks and people who came into this energetic and leave angry and bitter. I thankfully always remembered why I started this in the first place. For those who came before me, for those that are no longer with us, for my family and my friends.

I'm brand new. A week into EMT classes. I've been watching your videos for a couple months trying to prepare. Thank you so much for what you do. You're the best on RU-vid in my opinion.

Great talk, I would add the importance of ending toxic attitudes based on those false expectations about "saving lives". You're there to help, be it the sad case of a repetitive transient, a person with substance abuse issues, breathing problems or trauma (which is funny cause it's what everyone seems to love most but unless you're in flight or some unicorn ems system that carries blood we don't do much for the actual improvement of outcomes of these pts). I would tell my trainees if they don't think they will still love the job giving granny fent for her hip fx or fist bumping the transient you see 2-3x per night then you won't be happy here. But if you can learn to love running calls at SNF's for sepsis, falls and transients then you'll be just fine. I find it all quite rewarding.

Loving EMS for 41 years. Showing respect and courtesy and providing compassion has kept me going. Worked Private and Fire Ambulance. Provide excellent care and compassion and you will be respected. The Docs and Nurses know my name and respect my work. Those who look down on the patch look down on themselves-the same paramedic patch. I remain a street medic. (Have had had the office jobs.). The key to happiness is having passion for people and finding fulfillment in helping the grandma and the idiot equally and with kindness.

I really appreciate this video. I’m taking my psychomotor in 2 days for my EMT certification and will be hopping right in as an EMT as a stepping stone for paramedic and eventually medical school. This is a really good review of the profession and aligns with what I’ve heard from seasoned professionals I’ve spoken to in the field. Thank you for sharing your opinions and experiences!

Nurse here, I love and respect paramedics for all that you do. You guys are in the field meeting patients in need wherever they are, in unpredictable environments, with skills that many nurses will never have. You guys rock, stand up for your work because it’s a lot.

Excellent overview of the profession. It certainly has changed considerably over the last several years. While I have no desire to be a nurse, I have learned A LOT from nurses and doctors in the ER. Always get to know them, get them to trust your decisions and reasoning, and you will have tons more autonomy in the field.

this was an amazing format and quite enjoyed it. Your page is EXTREMELY helpful and i thank you for everything you do. Its good to know all of this stuff while i am in school to start in this amazing field. keep the content coming. THANKS MAN!!!!!!

Completely agree with everything said here. Ive been a paramedic for 10 years and now work as a sheriffs office swat medic for the past 4 years. I still work the field ambulance 2-4 shifts a month for a private ems 911 system, and PRN medic at a local ER. I’ll simply put it this way though, I’m actively in nursing school simply because I want to make more money working less hours so that I can spend more time at home with my family in the same Daley range. EMS is a great developer of clinical skills and decision making but has an expiration date, and paramedics and EMTs are extremely underpaid and undervalued

Luckily I was able to get into firefighting, but it always shocks me seeing that these EMTs are getting 15-17 dollars per hour. I think the highest paying EMT position I’ve seen is 22 a hour.

For sure do more videos like this! I'm just about to start medic school after two years as an EMT. I like to think I'm passionate about the field and want to better it for everyone involved. I wish there were more people like us that are passionate about EMS as a whole and want to advance it. Can't wait for the medic vs nursing video!

You are absolutely on the ball. I did this profession for over 40 years. Started of as a basic EMT and went on to becoming an advance care paramedic. Became an instructor in our local college. Eventually went up the ladder into management. In my younger days, I thought I was going make a difference, fighting for the cause. You are right, I have seen bad EMT’s, in the way they treat people, the way they wear the uniform, their personal ethics, etc…. The hours were horrible, the pay wasn’t that great compared to other emergency services, but when push came to shove, unfortunately, somewhere the the world, a disaster struck, and EMS was spotlit. The true gratification that I have received is by the public, my collegues, and other organizations where the people wear a uniform. If only for those reasons, it is worth it. Some way and somehow, you do make that difference. Loved your video, and you nailed it. It is not for everyone. When I look back on my career (2/3 of my life), I would do it all over again in a blink of a eye. Keep up the good work

Thank you for this video. It was super informative, honest & exactly something I personally needed to hear reassurance of with my current EMS career decision. Love your videos!

I'm looking at the end of my days as a medic after only working for about 4 years. I really respect your drive to make the profession better and encourage incoming medics/EMTs to be the change they want to see. The burnout and mental health deterioration is real though, and I hope new people realize that. It's hard to come away from this without feeling drained and like a salty shell of your former self while dealing with the most awful side of humanity on a daily basis.

Fantastic video! I've been in the business since 2000. I'm currently working as a paramedic at an oil refinery. I think this video should be shown on the first day of every EMT class. Well done on articulating your points professionally.

I love not only are you continuing to get into the serious topics we want to hear about- now multi cam production! Sam, You are so on top of all of this!!

I’ve been an EMT for 8 months now. Yes, the pay sucks, you don’t get respect by other healthcare providers, and you get burnt quick. Especially if you do multiple 24 hr shifts. However, I do love my job. I get paid $15/hr in SD but I try to not let it get to me because I do enjoy helping my patients and I am learning so much. I am pursing nursing and I know 100% this job will make me a better nurse than if I didn’t go into EMS. Great video, y’all stay safe out there.

Much thanks and respect to all current and retired EMTs and paramedics. The world is truly a better place because of you. You deserve to be paid better for sure.

Very well said. When I started in EMS I was so naive about the perception of EMS. However, I still love the job and it makes me want to work harder to get into a agency that takes better care of their employees.

This is so true. I burned myself out 7 years ago and it was time to move on. I still miss the work most days and am glad that I was involved in this field.

Thank you for posting this video. I am just out of EMT-B school and oddly enough had this very conversation with a former co-worker from a different industry regarding what I call the 'Hero' complex. The job is 99% low priority/patient care and 1% high priority. Yet I knew that coming in...I used to live with Police/Fire/Medic individuals so I got to hear a lot of what really happens. Not many people have that background or go in understanding that. Even when it came down to choosing which ER shift for our clinical rotation, I made note of the ones who wanted the Friday night 4pm to 12am shift. All they talked about was wanting to see the trauma patients. I chose the 8 am to 4pm shift on a Thursday. I did not want to see drama/trauma, I will most likely see that in my future yet did not think I needed to see it on a clinical round (and I got a little made fun of for that). I wanted to see real patient care. Even the fire department medics on my shift were kidding around about it. Also, I liked that you talked about EMS services, not many people know that there are a great many Services that are not Governmental agencies. And that some Services could be bad. I could go on and on...I am just grateful that you posted this. Please keep posting videos and be safe.

This video hit all of the nails perfectly on the head and the non-scripted style felt much more genuine which to me had a much better draw for my attention. Well done and well said.

Dude, as a former Police Officer and Paramedic, you nailed this. Good job man! Very well put in a non-biased and honest presentation.

This video needs to be shown in the orientation meeting prior to EMT school. It has taken me a decade to get the job I've always wanted. I've worked 30 years worth of hours/experience in that 10 year span. A lot of that time was spent with services I had no desire to be at other than to glean specific experience (ER, critical care, interfacility, rural, major metropolitan area, and even a flight stepping stone job) in order to get to the position I have always wanted. It is a long and arduous road. At this point I'd say it was all worth it, but there are definitely easier routes to money and happiness in the healthcare industry. Keep doing God's work brother. Awesome video.

Right on. Excellent video. I started 6 years ago thinking I was superman. My ems experience for a good part of that was vol fire non transport. In fact I made my living as a hospital orderly, but I watched, I learned. During codes I was constantly processing. But moments like holding the hand of a scared kid, or listening to the elderly folks stories and talking with them eventually showed me the heart of medicine. No one cares what I know or can do, they just want to know I care. Now I'm in another pond of sorts doing EMS in a occupational setting, ordinary BLS and first aid. But im defined by who I am not what I do. This video was right on.

I've been in EMS for 19 years and have seen people come and go. I for one am ready to leave. The amount of hate and discontent for private EMS has become very real. Couple that with a pandemic, seeing people killed because of some drunk driver who decided to drink at 7 in the morning is mentally exhausting. I had the right mind set years ago, but now my give-a-shit has totally broken. We can't win in private EMS, and for those saying leave private go public, it isn't any better. We get pissed on by our local FD, we get pissed on by the hospital, we get shit on by the public. I used to love EMS, I used to love my job, I hate it now. You are so right when you say this profession is looked down upon by others. The paperwork is unreal, the pay sucks, there is a shortage of EMT's and Paramedics. You get driven in to the ground then asked to give more. Mentally it is not worth it. I have tried to make change, I have tried to make it better. It doesn't work at the level I am at.

Great video. I think you hit on a lot of great points that I’ve noticed over the past 3 years!

Thank you so much! This video opens my eyes so much. I am currently studying into being an EMT to start off as a foundation for my future and I am excited

I did EMS knowing I wanted to be a nurse. I did a year and loved it. Eventually made my way to ER Tech and now done with nursing school. It's be a nice journey and I always look back at EMS as my roots into the health care field.

Thank you for the honesty and transparency. These are a lot of reasons people burn out after 56 years and some of them are the reasons why some stay to help fight advocate, join leadership, associations, and instruct.

Thank you man I currently in school for this stuff. Thank you for the info and keeping us young people well informed.

I agree with everything you said. I've been in EMS for 30 years, 23 years at the same agency as a Special Operations Medic and now field supervisor. I've said many times the things I'm doing now, POCUS, Vents, and field blood administration are the things I "thought" i would be doing from day 1 and no one told me the truth. One of the truest statements you made was about tenure driving the opportunity bus;; you didn't say it like that but that's what it is. Time in grade is everything. Keep up the good work and be safe out there.

Loved this video. I’m finishing my rn/Bsn at the end of the year and I applied to paramedic school. Still not sure what career choice would be best for me so I would really enjoy that rn vs paramedic video. Thanks!

Thanks, I was actually looking into going into EMS. My brother is fire/medic and I was going to ask him about going into EMS. I knew I was going to see some rough things on the job, but this video actually helped me more along with asking my brother. I also wanted to go into nursing so, honestly this helps me with my career choices.

Thank you for doing this video brother! The reason why I want I to EMS I was wanting to help people and healing people making them feel batter so they can get there life back on track! After losing my mom at 12 years old and losing my father at 18 years old I was wanting to help people in need! God Bless You Brother

Great video, I'm up in Canada currently going through the Primary care Paramedic application process for two schools. Even more-so after watching this video, I want in. Thanks for all the information, love all the video's!

I like the style of video. Looking forward to seeing your video on EMS transitioning into nursing or how to transition from EMS successfully into other fields.

Well said and great video. As a volunteer firefighter looking to get more involved in the medical field, much of this I was already familiar with, but you also made some good points I hadn't thought of and talked about it all in a way that represented the profession as a whole quite well. Thanks!

Man, wish I would've heard this two years ago... It's very true. I think one thing I would also mention is the very steep learning curve coming into EMS. Even if you were exposed to it as a child because your parent was involved in, it's a hard uphill fight to get in and it takes perseverance and patience. I really like what you said about not letting it define you. At first it was my whole purpose in life. Find something you care more about or you'll get burned.

PrepMedic, I have been a paramedic for 27 yrs, 21 as a flt medic at three high preforming services; been there, done that, got the t-shirt. 6 mos ago I transitioned to nursing (ER of course) and although I miss certain aspects of flight, etc, I don't regret the decision at all. I think this video speaks volumes of hard truths. I agree with your perspective on the topics you spoke about. Have an end game/plan and stick to it. Plan on missing holidays (your family life will suffer), and do not allow it to be your entire identity; do things for yourself outside EMS. Good talk!! I wish this was strategically talked about more often at conferences and in paramedic programs. Keep up the good work!

Great video. I am a CCT-RN for an IFT company in a major urban area and most EMTs I encounter are dissatisfied. As an RN, I make as much as I would in a hospital but only have one patient at a time instead of 4 in the ER or 2 in the ICU. Most RNs know about flight nurses but don't even know that working transports on an ambulance is an option. Everytime I go into a hospital and see ER or ICU nurses dealing with the day to day issues I appreciate how easy my job is even more. I still get critical patients but now I can spend more effort and focus on each one instead of being pulled in 4 directions. I work with 2 EMTS and when asked always recommend they use EMT as a stepping stone to progress forward onto something the compensates them better whether it's paramedic, RN, NP/PA, MD or work for a good paying fire department.

I love your passion for EMS. Every time EMS brings a pt in coding they have already ben administering life saving care on the road and report the story to me while wheeling them in to the nurses. I always thought that was impressive. Im a medical scribe about to go to medical school and my time as a scribe, I have gained such a respect for EMS. Nothing but respect for that front line field. I hope every problem the system has gets better with time.

As always, excellent video and information. Looking forward to your upcoming video about paramedic vs registered nurse.

Hello prepmedic! This video has been really timely for me. I got injured during OCS with the USMC and I was told I have 8 months to a year of recovery before I can qualify to go back to training. I figured since I have a degree I would become a Licensed Paramedic in Texas and possibly change my contract from Active to Reserve with the Marines based on how much I enjoy being an LP. This has really given me a lot to think about. Thanks for the information!

Invaluable insight. Truly, thank you for this. You addressed many things that many others don't touch on, that i've longed for people to talk about

I am an EMS Program Coordinator at a community college. When I prepare to in-take students, I am very blunt and honest with them. I don't lie about the pay, the hours, the life, the things you see, the physical wear and tear (have back scar to prove it), the mental wear and tear, and the emotional wear and tear. I talk about the call volume and types of calls. I also talk about the options once you obtain your Paramedic cert. I tell them honestly that EMS is not for the faint of heart. I may lose some students on the front end, but those I train are going to be the ones that treat me and my family and I want them to be good and prepared and not say 'hey, that's the SOB that lied to me about this job!'

As an EMT, I've had too many partners that do the bare minimum (or less), straining the team, profession, and public image. Granted, not everyone is trying to be the best person and professional they can be, but there are definite side effects as you've highlighted. Many outside don't understand a field don't understand the nuances inside a field; always good to highlight there's more to see!

Great video, very fair and balanced, and captures the state of the times in EMS. Well done.

Thanks for advocating for our profession in the right direction!

I have worked in EMS for forty years. In all total I have rode ambulances, fire trucks, sprint cars, fixed wing and rotor wing air ambulances and special neonatal transport units over the past forty years. As well as work in pediatrics for four years, ICU for one year, immunology for one year, and ED for twenty eight years. I have expounded on the good and handled the bad through my faith in a higher power. I can’t fathom doing anything else.

I love what you put into this video. I enjoy what I do on most days and the one thing we all have to remember is that there will always be bad days. There will always be the days of I stubbed my toe or I’ve had back pain for days and now call at 2am. It is what you make of it. Stepping stones are great the one bad part is a lot of times those that you lose are some of the best providers. Let’s all work together to make the profession better

Did EMS for 3 years FF/medic . Left it for 6 years and just recently got my NREMT again so I can volunteer anywhere we move. Currently half a year from BS and going into PT, will still always volunteer when I can. Great video! 👌👌

Aside from the fact we are babies in the world of healthcare, people don’t look to us as professionals because we have those individuals out there that presents horribly in uniform. To me it says you don’t care about your job, your work, your career, and you’re just doing it for a check. Those are the type of people that will continue to hold us back and will continue to put doubt in the minds of other practitioners about our skills and qualifications. You were spot on with this video, thank you!

Started in EMS back in 2001 as a way to serve (didn't want to kill or die overseas), spent 5 years as a paramedic before becoming an RN (and getting a substantial pay raise immediately); 12 years later and I'm starting an acute care DNP program. You nailed everything in this video. It's a young person's career and a lot more dangerous to one's mental health and body than one realizes when starting out. The general public, and even other healthcare providers, have no idea the incredible skills you're able to use. Still, it's a crucial service that could be so much more effective than it is in its current fragmented, privately-run state (especially with regards to employee retention, pay, benefits, recruitment, education, interdisciplinary cohesion, public awareness, et cetera). It's an interesting time to be in health care and we'll see how this pandemic influences the future of EMS, and healthcare, in general. *and yeah, my RU-vid handle is outdated, haha*

I'm a 33 yr old female, I came into EMS from drug and alcohol counseling at 30. I work for a busy, large dual system EMS service in a metropolitan area. I did that full time for 2 years, now im part time because I'm in medic school. I love this field with all of its good and bad. It's amazing sometimes how others react when i tell them my profession. If theyre a "civillian" they think its the coolest thing. If theyre in healthcare, Rather than being excited for me that I found a field I love, want to grow in and am truly passionate about...they usually say "why aren't you going into nursing?!" Even some of my clinical nurses/staff have insinuated these things! It's clear so many have no real idea of what we do. A part of me wonders if it's because I'm a woman in my 30s and I don't fit the stereotypical Rescue Ricky role ppl think of in with EMS. My agency is half women at this point but the general public still thinks women and nursing. I've concluded that a lot of it has to do with fundamental lack of education and understanding what we actually do and deal with in EMS. So many haven't a clue about what our protocols, titles, and daily operations are like. Like you said in your video, most calls are the lackluster calls where patient assessment and social skills are the most important skill that'll help you. I came into the field because I saw the need for more compassionate providers with better social skills. No one should leave a 911 call feeling worse off or guilty for calling because they felt they needed legitimate help (I'm not talking about the ppl who blatantly abuse the system and know it). I'm excited for the future of ems and am so proud to be a part of it. Coming in at 30 with my background makes me feel like I have a lot to offer the field. I can help shift perception and education and I can offer the younger people knowledge on balance, patience, and social skills for the routine more mundane calls. I'm glad I came in when I did because like topics u mentioned in this video...I'm at a place in my life where I've already built a lot of my identity so its not entirely EMS. I have learned to advocate for myself in a career setting, have learned good coping skills, and have gotten many life lessons involving my ego and stubbornness out of the way. Our actions and energy leave ripple effects and can affect things. When ppl see another person acting in a positive manner, and operating to the best of their abilities it drives othere to want to act that way too. Together we can change the perception in this field and make a well respected and exciting future for it!

I'm a physician with my origins in private ambulance doing 911(in CO lol). I totally recommend it for people wanting to pursue medicine for the skillset, but people should definitely be cautious based on the reasons you mentioned. I think you addressed the issues very well. The work hours in EMS are brutal, the pay is poor, responsibility is high, and you're treated very poorly by many other professionals. Props to people who continue to work in EMS.

It looks like you got into my head! I think exactly like you, on everything. Great Sam! Greetings from Florence, italy!

Thank you for this!! We need more good people and advocacy for this wonderful profession

Just watched your video and after 24 years in your 110% right. I was forced to retire when I was told i was mentally infit over some bs because they forced me to take a fitness of duty mental test and I was diagnosed with PTSD. I was given 90 days to get better or be fired. This job eats our people. I’m working to become a counselor now to work with our folks to correct things like what happened to me and the high suicide rate. I still love EMS and I teach it but I was nearly fired from teaching for talking about the mental health risk to a group of new medics to prepare them and I was told by the dean that this was unprofessional and it made me look like I was talking negatively about the profession. We have to change this stigma and the culture. Thank you for doing this video.

After 32 years in fire/EMS I thought your video was true and honest. Thank you for relaying the honest veiw.

Great video sir 👍 my aim is simply to better serve my security/ safety team at church. Medical situations are far more likely than the trouble makers causing problems, so far. I'm glad I came across your channel and the information you provide. Thank you!

First off, very accurate description of the EMS world. I started in 1995 as an EMT-B. I was active duty military and wanted to work in law enforcement. I thought having my EMT and being military would look good on an application. I started working for a private 911 ambulance company and loved it. Yes, 70-80% of calls were "routine" but than you get those trauma calls or medical codes. Salty partners? I've had them. At the time being an EMT I was not responsible for the patients. My paramedic partner made the calls. I've had partners that were quick to obtain a refusal, only to have the patient die less than 24 hours later. Or partners that couldn't stand the elderly because a lot of them, especially the ones that lived alone were...lonely and loved to talk. I actually love talking with my patients. Fast forward to today. I've worked as a deputy and volunteer firefighter but always worked EMS. With several agencies and two different states. Personally I've always felt that EMS was the redhead step child of the public safety triangle. LEO's and firefighters seem to be recognized more, which is okay by me. Pay? Yes, it's lack luster. To start out as a new medic here in Florida you can make better pay a lot of times working fast food than saving lives. But with the rotating shifts, A LOT of folks have side jobs particularly working part-time at a hospital or clinic. Great information. I just became a new subscriber. Stay safe.

Excellent video Sam. It is true that Critcal Care calls make up a small portion of your day. I think that it will be even less if you go to a busy urban area as the majority of calls that I see transported are more psych, ETOH, homelessness and less and less of the true cardiac chest pains, strokes and abdominal pains. As far as EMS being looked down on by hospital staff, I think a lot of that comes from the relationship that the medics and hospital staff work to establish. Our medics stay behind to talk shop with the Nurses (really, they are looking for dates/hookups) but they help us get the pt settled in, hook the pt up, grab a blanket, stick around to give a 2nd report to the Doc... These things are not required, but go a long way. I have eaten dinner at the local station, we could do ride along before COVID. Its good to work a day in the boots of EMS. Lastly, 3 runs in 24 hours??? Lol. Sometimes I see my local paramedics 3 times an hour... There are many nights that they do not sleep at all.... We have had medics drive home thinking they are in the bus and blow lights, move into oncoming traffic..only to realize they are in their own POV... Be safe Sam, you are inspiring a generation of up and coming healthcare leaders and I love watching your videos.

Really appreciate this video and all of the content you shared. I’m considering this field and this is very helpful.

Loved this video. You've echoed aot of what I've been saying a couple years now in my country Trinidad and Tobago. Best wishes to you. We have a very similar situation here. We are even younger here as a profession in my neck of the woods

Thank you for this video! This is the reason I decided to not go for ambulance work, I simply do not enjoy talking to new people. So I work in software development and are actually a valued employee.

Everything you said is absolutely true. EMS is still in its growing and I have seen so many changes in my 30+ years in the business. I still love the job and being a silent hero works for me.

Preach! I agree with Kevin Thomas. Be sure that there is a work/life balance. Be sure that you have a support group to help you deal with what you experience and see. Trust me, you will remember your call from 20 years ago. If your mind, body, and spirit aren't healthy then serving your community is going to be more difficult.

I am almost 37 years into my EMS career, and everything you said here is 100% spot on !

14 years as a medic and 20 years in the fire service and from what I've seen there are 2 main reasons people leave this profession. They leave for better pay or they're driven out by toxic leadership... Great vid!

You hit the nail in the head sir, Especially in the topic of salary and schedule. Don’t get me wrong, I am still in the infant stage in my EMS career. I am just grateful to have a job and to be able to get in a rescue and go on calls. But something that people should know is that you WILL be away from family and friend A LOT. You will miss out on certain events, holidays, etc. that’s why it is important to have a good foundation of communication with your significant other. Another is that we are just very under paid for the service we provide and some of us work 2 or 3 jobs just to be able to support ourselves which ties into my previous argument.

Made a subscriber out of me brother. I’ve been an Emt for 18 yrs on a 911 unit, and your spot on! I’m lucky and at a phenomenal service with great leaders and equipment and grounds. Recently had our Chief push and pass a 22% pay raise. Good services are out here.

I’m going into emt training next fall. Thank you for making this video. I know it’s not an easy profession but willing to try it out. Love from Aurora Colorado ❤️

This was an awesome video. Appreciate your informed insight.

I'm in the middle of my 41st year of professional EMS, with 14 of those as a firefighter as well. Thinking of retiring in 18 months or so. I've been lucky and went from private service EMT to County Paramedic with decent pay. I've seen huge changes in the job, medicine, pay, etc. The profession has huge impacts on your health, and your mental well being. I've seen multiple suicides and burn outs in this profession. I try to be honest with individuals who are thinking of coming into the profession. I also went back to Medical school and became a PA, and have done Locums PA work for the last 19 years as well. Love the PA work. I would not have changed a single thing about my career at all though.It suited my personality well. Never thought I would burn out, but, it is time to hang it up in a few months and maybe continue some PA work in my old age. Cudo's to you younger people coming in. Keep doing good work.

Currently in the military and have my BLS. Going to use some leave to get my EMT cert and start working on my days off. The goal is to eventually become a PA. This video is well made and greatly appreciated!

I just got my license and am about to start my first job, I think I was meant to see this. Thank you for the transparency

@PrepMedic I totally agree with you on the private ambulance companies and other agencies not having a good working relationship. I am a paid-call firefighter near Fresno, CA, and the private ambulance that serves my community is the second largest in the county, aside from American Ambulance, which serves Fresno, and various other communities throughout two counties. The disconnect is real and sad. There are some that hate us FF's and think we are worthless needless to say, and some that have a chip on their shoulder. I been in the fire service for 16 years and it has never been like this. I use to know every single person at the ambulance company by name, and now I have no idea who comes and goes out of that place.

14 years on ALS in a major metro. I’ve been a professional FF and a deputy/SWAT medic for our coverage area. It’s not easy. But, you gotta find what sustains you. This video is excellent advice. Looking forward to 19 more and I’ll hang my hat up.

Watching this, and I still want to go into it, cause I feel it is my calling and that I need to go in to it. Love it too much.

Thank you I really appreciated this video! ❤

Never went paid volunteer EMT,Firefighter and SAR in my 20s. Sounds crazy but I loved working trauma, car wrecks, etc. Unfortunately you spend way more time working drug overdoses and mental cases.

I work as a Captain on a Lake Michigan tour boat during the summer, unfortunately the Great Lakes aren’t a great place for maritime work during the winter. Last winter I worked Instacart, the majority of my deliveries were to nursing homes and I met so many amazing folks that were genuinely grateful for my assistance and the time I took to make sure they got what they needed. Not all of them were like this. But the smiles and thanks and positive energy from them just made the shitty parts of that job worth it. I’m just entering the EMS field so I can have something to turn to during the winter. I’m also a diver so I’m hoping maybe I can work towards a first responder position where I can tie together more of my experience and interest but for now I’m so excited to see where this takes me.

Same for security and Corrections. Thanks for the awesome video.

I’m definitely on the side of hating EMS. I quit EMS because of the mental toll it took on me and the mental and verbal abuse from the supervisor including the low pay. I was IFT for two years while waiting to get on a fire department that just straight up ghosted me after finishing the application process and being on the waiting list for about a year. I decided to stop waiting for something that would never come and decided on a career change. I’m now going to college and getting a degree in Cyber Security and I’m extremely happy. Not where I thought I’d be since I wanted to be a fireman for as long as I could remember but such is life.

You are right on point all the way. You are what you are and you'll be what works best for you, but if you don't apply yourself, be your best, then you have no one to blame but yourself....

As a RN I would rrally love a video described at the end of paramedic vs nursing emergency route. Its a great discussion Iv had with several friends who are now paramedics in my area.

Thanks man, I needed this. Been holding myself back from becoming a paramedic, but finally seeing someone just fucking explain it in a way that clicks. Been doing transport for 4 years and it's been the best job I've ever had. Would rather run streets than a hospital!

First thought when I saw the thumbnail was “that looks like a UCHealth ambulance.” Saw the first helicopter takeoff clip and thought “that looks like MCR and I-25.” Then you mentioned that you’re in Colorado. Thanks for your service!

this was a good video for me. I just passed my NREMT test last thursday and I am stoked for sure but there's A LOT i have left to learn still and that is okay with me. I never planned on becoming an emt for much time at all in the first place, it's just the first stepping stone to becoming a firefighter and that is what I want to do. sometimes it's hard to remember that though and It can make me feel like I dont wanna do this anymore but watching videos about the realistic standards of ems does actually remind me that it is something I want to do.

I work in the same health system you do. Only inside the hospitals. This hits home on my end of things too. I wish more people understood this.

Being from across the pond I can see some similarities and some differences from your experience. Might also add that not in every response area every provider runs every type of vehicle. Thus I'm with the Red Cross EMS and we run ALS Emergency Ambulances, BLS Transport Ambulances and Emergency Doctor Cars in my county. We don't have a Bariatric Ambulance, nor a Mobile Intensive Care Unit nor a Large Capacity Ambulance; Thatfor in the neighbouring response area we're regularly heading to (our state's capital city and surrounding county) only the FD runs the Emergency Doctor Cars while no other EMS provider runs them

I'm just starting out with EMT job. I'm starting out wheel chair than soon into 911. I want to be a Paramedic. I'm a little older. I put in alot of thought before hand. I am seeing a crossroads for EMS. There's a shift happening. My goal is to do EMS for 5-10 years and toying with some careers to spring off of ems. I know it's not easy. But I feel I'm learning so much even in the last few weeks. Im taking things day to day and seeing where it goes. Hope I can make a change in the world. If not, that's ok. As long as I tried to make the place a little bit better than before. I also made a promise to myself to keep at the things I love....like dancing and soccer. Worlds away from EMS.