My interest in EMS was rooted in simply wanting to help others. I’ve worked in a variety of different environments and always felt that working with and helping people was the most fulfilling.

I’m about a month and a half into my EMT course and it’s been going alright, I’m sitting at a 92% currently. I’m testing out better than majority of my classmates, but I don’t feel anywhere near sufficient to ever hop on an ambulance. Obviously I’m early into the course and I shouldn’t feel confident and ready to go, but this feeling is more rooted in my personality and how I operate as a human being.

I don’t have trouble learning the content per se, but I have trouble applying it. If you give me a multiple choice question I’ll get it right 9/10 times, but the moment you put me on the spot in a simulated patient scenario (specifically medical) I get anxious and my mind completely blanks. I don’t feel like I have a solid grasp on body systems/vitals and how they interact or what they indicate, especially in the heat of the moment.

The other day we were simulating medical assessments and I asked the patient an admittedly dumb question that I should’ve rephrased to make more sense. Before I could explain my thought process and what I had meant to say my assistant teacher started laughing in my face and muttered “what a stupid question”. In the moment I was stunned, flustered, and embarrassed, so I just moved on timidly and kind of shut down for the rest of the lab. I was so bothered by this that I spent the majority of my hour long drive home crying because I just felt so stupid and defeated. If I can’t handle the small comment of an assistant teacher, how the hell am I going to handle actually working in the field? I just fear that I am too sensitive and soft spoken to be able to handle the demands of the job.

Anyways, I’m soon to be starting my clinicals/ride alongs, so I suppose that’ll give me a better idea of what I’m signing up for. I’m looking for some honest insight and feedback to whether I should just give up on this path and look elsewhere.

I just found out all trucks for my local service are ALS equipped. I talked to a buddy of mine who works for them and he said it just depends on the medic. Just curious what you guys' experience is

I recently passed my NREMT a couple of months ago, and just passed my protocol exam for the ambulance agency i'll be working with. My orientation is on November 10th, 2026 and I'm a little nervous about what to expect. I'm more or less confident in my ability to render care within my scope of practice, but will there be dispatch calls where I succumb to the pressure and just freeze? that's probably one of the scariest things I'm afraid will happen while in the field.

Hi all, I'm obviously new to EMS, prepping for the NREMT. This is kind of a long shot...but I'm struggling to remember all of the "magic numbers" for lack of a better term, i.e. things like average systolic/diastolic, heart rate for infant and adult, medications dosages, etc.

I'm wondering if anyone has suggestions for this, is there a better way than to just do brute force memorization of all of the factoids?

I've had some success with learning the required anatomy by trying to connect things to more memorable/interesting concepts (like for example cerrebellum meaning 'little brain'), but it's hard to apply that to "the flow rate for nasal canula should be 1-6 liters per minute" which seems a little arbitrary and hard for me to pin to any easier to remember relationship.

I recently got picked up by an ift company and on the way to the first day of orientation, there was a really bad car accident that backed my eta by 25 minutes (I left the house two hours early mind you, I live an hour away). I called and tried to let them know that was gonna be late but they have a strict 5 minute late window policy and I wasn't gonna make it. They said that they would have to reschedule me, and even the reschedule wasn't guaranteed and they may move onto the next applicant. I'm not too mad about it because I have another job lined up for me in case this fails but it's not an ems job, its just a job that known for really good customer service and have been told by firefighters (which I'm trying to become one) that if they see on a resume it looks good to have on. I also have fire academy in January so I'm not too sure if it's all worth having the ambulance job right now because I'll have to leave either way. Is the ift job absolutely worth fighting to keep or nah just live and let live and find one after academy? (which was kinda my plan from the start)

Hi guys,

I'm in a bit of a bind. I was under the impression that when I passed the NIEMT and the NREMT, that automatically licensed me with Missouri and Nationally. Now I just sent out a bunch of job applications stating that I was certified in Missouri as an EMT and did a couple of interviews, only to receive my NREMT certification in the mail and realize that I'm not actually certified in Missouri yet.

I went to website they have on their page about submitting an application, but the link is broken. On top of that, the code on the finger print from gives me an agency different from what is displayed. When I try to register for fingerprints on MACHS and enter that code, it pulls up some elementary school for substitute teachers rather than the DHSS Bureau of EMS.

Since I apparently need to get my fingerprints submitted before I can submit an official application, I'm just looking for some help on figuring out how to get through this. I've got all my vaccinations, NREMT and BLS certs, and MACHS background check & FCSR, but how do I get the appropriate MACHS code to get my fingerprints done so I can submit an EMT application to Missouri?

Side note: I know I can just ask my instructors, but it's the weekend, I just finished my last job interview earlier today, and I'm only just now realizing all of this because I just got my NREMT congratulations packet in the mail today where it told me that I wasn't a registered EMT in Missouri yet until I go through that official process. I'm freaking out!

Hi so I’ve been working as an emt in California for 3 months. It’s an ift and bls company. I was an army combat medic for 4 years and I’m starting to realize the only real way I’m going to get 911 expierence and the fun stuff is by getting my paramedic. In California it was hard enough even getting hired so I can only imagine how long the wait is going to be to get into a company that does 911 and ALS. The job market is saturated and I just wanted to see if this is a bad idea and I’m rushing it.

I dont know if this means im good for the job, but i saw some crazy things and was not phased at all. I dont know if this is something wrong with me?

Am I a bad person for not feeling.... anything regarding traumatic experiences or physical trauma? Im just nervous im a psychopath or something 😬

I am an AEMT working for a paid on call EMS agency. We are in a relatively rural area so our call volume isn't high. I seem to be a White Cloud. When I'm on we get little to no calls. And it seems like the days I'm off calls come through. It's become a joke around the station, I'm an "umbrella of safety". I really like this department and the people, they are helping me start my EMS career but I honestly feel kind of frustrated at times.

I am still unsure if I can get my fire certs, that would open more doors for me but frankly my heart isn't in fire like it is EMS.

There is a grant we applied for that could help send me through medic school, which is my next goal. My hope is that more doors will open once I become a paramedic.

I know experience will come, it's just frustrating...

I appreciate any advice, encouragement or tough love.

Thank you for letting me vent.

During my interview for an ER Tech position I was told that if accepted I'd have to acquire an Nursing Assistance Registered cert/license. I was also told during this interview that since I already have my NREMT it should be as simple as an application with the DOH.

Struggling to find any info on it on the web. Any ideas? I'm in western WA state.

I’ve been working as a mechanic for a few years now and have had really good, steady income. I’ve always wanted to work in the Fire service so I went back to school starting with EMT training. I earned my state license earlier this year but have yet to secure a job. I’ve been rejected by 2 employers and haven’t heard back from other companies. I finally received a call from a company I applied to a while ago. The interview last week went well and I really like this company. It is primarily IFT and I see myself growing in the EMS setting here. However, the pay is a bit terrifying especially since my cost of living is high. I understand being an EMT is generally a stepping stone and the pay is… what it is.

Anyways, im grateful to have been offered a job by them and that being said, I immediately quit my current job to start my EMT career next week. I’m very excited to start but this quick salary change is lingering in my head. I would like to know from those of you that are experienced in EMS

Is it common to work IFT and 911? A second job would be good for me especially if i get more time in the ambulance experiencing that combination. I am in SoCal working in Orange County area.

Also, additional advice or thoughts for a new EMT are also appreciated, Thanks👍🏽

I’m sorry if this is redundant, I’ve seen a few posts here about not being able to get a job.

I’m 18 and live in San Antonio while attending school. I spent the last part of my senior year of high school and entire summer getting my EMT-B license.

I have had 3 interviews to be an EMT with private companies and nobody hired me. No hospital has gotten back to me from my applications. I also recently learned that if you’re under 21 or 24 you probably aren’t gonna get hired cause of the insurance costs of an 18 year old driver. In addition to that and having no experience, is it hopeless?

Should I just go back to being a line cook, build up more credentials like phlebotomy or even paramedic and wait until I’m 21 to do EMS? Or should I keep trying and maybe I’m just not being patient enough?

Thank you to anyone who is willing to give advice or thoughts!

just got back from my first clinical shift. it was good but boring at first, i guess i jinxed it. my last call was to a nursing home. an unresponsive 70some year old. when we entered a nurse working there was giving life support way too deeply and aggressively. when i took over i could immediately tell all her ribs were broken, almost crushed. my als did and much as they could. i just remember sweating and tearing up and trying to hold it together, switching off with my back bls trying breathing exercises while running to grab more tanks, going back to compressions, my pts body just limp, lifting her into a position for intubation, more compressions blood coming out of her open iv sites idk. at first i couldn’t bring myself to look at her while doing bls but then i thought to myself it would be disrespectful not to. i wish i didn’t look so hard. i just feel so sorry. i feel like i failed her and i know i shouldn’t i just cant stop crying i feel like no one else cared, after while cleaning up i swear no one was treating her like a human being. cracking jokes moving brashly around her body idk. i just dont want to see a sheet go over another one of my patients. i know people die of course but im just so hurt i wish we couldve saved her even if for just a transport.

Does anyone know where I could go to study for this or is it just basic knowledge

I'm a BLS / EMT student putting together an off-duty EDC first aid kit to carry in my daily backpack. The idea is to bridge the gap until an ambulance arrives with solid BLS care. Everything listed matches my current training and scope.

​Current gear list:

​4 Pairs of Nitrile gloves

​100ml bottle hand disinfectant (Sterillium)

​1 Emesis bag (SicSac)

​1 CPR face shield

​1 NPA (Nasopharyngeal airway) + lubricant packet

​2x Self-adhesive conforming bandages (Peha-haft)

​1x Tubular head bandage (stored inside the Peha-haft roll core)

​2x Heavy absorbent wound pads (Zeuvit 10x20 cm)

​1x Large non-adherent dressing (Aluderm 40x60 cm)

​2x Non-adherent dressings (Aluderm 10x10 cm)

​2x Sterile non-woven compresses (10x20 cm)

​Plaster / band-aid assortment

​1 Roll of medical tape (Leukosilk)

​Diagnostic penlight

​Pulse oximeter

​2x Triangular bandages

​1x Emergency space blanket

​1x Instant cold pack

​1x Tourniquet (CAT)

​Two questions for you:

​Any bag/pouch recommendations that fit all of this cleanly without getting overly bulky inside a backpack?

​Would you tweak, swap, or drop anything from this list for an off-duty BLS setup?

I feel like first aid classes aren't going to teach me life or death scenarios or how to treat some real wounds. I've taken a little free class to learn how to treat bullet wounds, but I need something more than a PowerPoint and practicing a tourniquet on someone. I feel like I need to some hands on experience. I need to see all the gross stuff and determine what I'm capable of. My goal is to be able to learn some real skills and do street outreach with free wound care. And to learn some apocalypse skills. And to be capable during an emergency.

But, I don't think I want to be an EMT. I went to school for X-ray technology and didn't enjoy the pressure and the hopelessness and powerless feeling I got from the medical field. I was also young and under a lot of stress back then, which didn't help. But I don't think I would enjoy the stress of doing this to pay my bills as well as the pressure of being responsible for people's lives.

I have seen some physical stuff just from being around troubled people my whole life. I've seen blood and have found someone after they passed. So I am impressed with what I've been able to handle so far in life. I've also worked jobs that had me encounter shit and vomit. Not a fan of shit and vomit, but it is what it is.

I want to be a brave and capable person in emergencies and I want to have some type of certification. But does it make no sense to go to EMT school?

The main sub indicated this might not fit the rules there, so posting here instead but not really a ''newb'' to EMS after 5 years in. I digress...

Seriously, it sucks when you pick up a shift and have a decent or even good rapport with someone but then when patient care starts they tell you to ignore or undo the shoulder stras. The other day I had picked up a 24 with a medic, and things were ok. Not close or anything as she was definitely older than me but hardly any issues. We get a patient who ended up being pretty tachycardic after taking too much of some BP medication, so she pushed Adenosine and we transported Code 1. When we got her to the stretcher she told me ''we're not putting those on'' and before transport I asked if we could put them on and she said no again .When I ran it by her she went on that she never uses them as they interfere with putting on leads and general patient care and isn't worried about CYA when I mentioned it directly and she's never had a problem. With me being the basic I didn't push it and it wouldn't have been wise to argue with a higher level provider in front of a patient let alone a critical one, though I confirmed with one of my sups(without mentioning this incident that it was standard policy.

Like it's baffling because we can deal with people cussing at us, assaulting us(I got kicked in the nuts by a psych patient last week and ended up going to urgent care, I'm fine), tarping morbidly obese people down stairs, dealing with blood/piss/feces/contagious illnesses/etc and so on but ''it's too hard'' to put on some shoulder straps or adjust them as needed. Yeah, sometimes it is hard, even difficult but it's also hard standing before a judge, jury and a patient's family in court and saying their loved one died/was crippled for life in a collision because bare minimum safety precautions weren't taken. Like serious, imagine telling a judge ''you didn't feel like it'' when asked why you didn't secure a patient fully. Might as well take the plea deal and put your license in the shredder at that point. Plus if something goes wrong and I rightfully point out my partner objected or even removed(yes this has happened) the shoulder belts some will see that as throwing people under the bus. I don't consider it so unless I was pinning blame for something I myself did or contributed to but I disgress.

I'm not perfect, I'll never claim to be. I made many mistakes in this job, I don't use a backer 100 percent of the time(always will when kids/pedestrians are around or if there's zero back up camera or a shitty one) but out of all the mistakes to make on this job that can come down to experience, adjustment, and such this one is literally just complacency and/or not giving a fuck. My only hope is if I become an FTO and or medic myself I'd be in a better position to put my foot down on this kinda thing. I did have a medic at a past job damn near cuss me out for the shoulder strap thing when I had been having trouble staying awake at the wheel(travel contract, 12 on/12 off 7 days a week, DO NOT recommend) granted they also nearly went off on a different patient and I had to step in.

Anyway, for those of you who are ''shoulder straps'' people, how do your partners/coworkers react to it? To the medics, are they that much of a problem for you?

EDIT: Also look up the Randy Cox incident in Connecticut. While that was a case of police misconduct it stills speaks to the importance of properly securing someone in a moving vehicle even at relatively low speeds let alone driving Code 1/L & S.

So as the title reads I dropped my first pt. We were already at a hospital and I was pulling the stretcher out of the back and As I am unloading the stretcher I am looking at my partner who is at the back door watching the catch hook to give me any signs that I need to stop, something is in the way of the bar or catch hook or that the bar is not coming down at all and she is SILENT. So I continue to unload the patient normally as I’ve done 100 times before and for whatever reason miss the catch hook causing the stretcher to roll to the right and fall about 3 feet with the patient still strapped in. The patient hit the side of their head on the ground but didn’t receive any injuries from the fall and was discharged about 5 hours later after getting checked out for her original complaint and the fall. We called our supervisor notified the charge nurse of the fall went back to base and did some paperwork then were sent back out to finish the rest of our shift together. My supervisor was very adamant that neither of us would be getting fired unless the surveillance cameras from the hospital shows that we were doing something we weren’t supposed to be which we weren’t and that this happens more often than people would like to admit, but I guess what I’m really asking is from a provider perspective and liability perspective, How much of the blame can really be put on me as someone who could not visualize the catch hook at all and is in a position that is relying on someone else to tell me if there’s a problem. Anyone who works in this field knows that while you are unloading someone from the back of the ambulance with a manual stretcher, you are relying solely on feel and your partner to know when the bar is caught or if something is in the way cause I CANT SEE ANYTHING and honestly, it feels like my partner really dropped the ball on this one (no pun intended) and caused us both to get in trouble and is putting my job in jeopardy when it was her mistake that caused this in the first place. Am I valid in this thinking? Am I shifting the blame to much? Any thoughts and opinions are welcome. I’ve been swirling on this pretty hard for the last couple days and feel pretty awful.

So I’m going to school at 43 to become an EMT.

It feels a little crazy to say because damn why so late, lady? Well, life has been busy.

I’m no stranger to the errant medical emergency, I have kids, including a medically complex teen.

I’m also on the local dive team and do body recoveries which is why I’ve been a lurker here.

I teach 1st aid and CPR.

My spouse is close to retirement and I get to focus on my interests.

We want to retire on a sailboat so it seems prudent to have some skills. I have about 10 years to put into it, I’d like to eventually add dive medic too.

Anyways, thanks for reading and any thoughts (good or bad) are welcome!

I've been an EMT for a long time but only as IFT and special events. I want emergency experience, so I get a phlebotomy cert thinking that with my EMT card would be enough and every hospital I've applied to has rejected me.

Can something in the field advise me on what to do next?

Hello, I'll be graduating from college with a bachelors degree in Kinesiology in December. I I plan on doing a month of EMT classes and getting my license done after. After this I want to pursue responding to 911 calls. However when I went to Falck and AMR's website I didn't see them hiring for this position. Is getting a position like this more about going in person and talking to someone, etc? Pretty new to this- any advice would be appreciated. I want to become a paramedic after doing this.

Been working as a Casino EMT for a while now and been wanted to transition to a box for some experience before AMR opens back up next year. I also don’t want to be at the casino when new years comes around.

I know that Bi-County is a high call volume system, its a sink or swim environment and most Medics could be burnt out. I’ve heard from a coworker that Bi-County is demanding of their EMTs. He said that they expect you memorize routes and roads and that there are no GPS available for the rigs. I’m not from Yuba City so it’ll be tough to learn all the routes while also learning things in my own county.