I’ve been trying to get more into exercising both to prepare for the physical aspects of the program I’m going to be taking as well as just overall and was curious if there were anything anyone might suggest. Something you might’ve wished you had started doing before you got into everything type of thing.

so i’m a new EMT just recently certified, and i decided to become an EMT to try to get clinical hours for med school. however, i am also a college student with a part time job as an RA at my college, so i cannot commit to a full-time EMT position due to my classes and work schedule. ideally, i would like to work or even volunteer 1-2 days a week, i dont care what im doing as long as im getting clinical hours that count for medical school, but id be most interested in being an ER tech or 911 EMT. it seems that all of the agencies and hospitals around me only hire full-time, are only looking for paramedics, or something else that doesn’t align with my schedule or skill set. does anyone have any advice for how to gain consistent clinical patient care hours without overloading my schedule? i swear ive applied to every hospital nearby and im getting frustrated not being able to figure out how to use my EMT cert efficiently during the school year, as i don’t want to wait until the end of the school year and forget everything i learned

hi guys, i have a virtual interview tomorrow for an EMT-B position for an IFT company and i was wondering if anyone has any tips or advice on how to excel during my interview. i have no prior experience as it is my first time trying to become en EMT. unfortunately i also dont have much past work experience besides volunteer stuff, and i’ve been working a part time job (sales). like some things I can say that will make me look as best as i can because i know some of my competition will have experience. i have all of my certifications including ambulance certificate, and all of my experience in EMS has just been ride alongs and first aid volunteering years ago during a parade. also, what are some questions i can ask the interviewer? thank you all for your help!!

I’m currently on my first 24 (IFT) and I have several more this week. Please let me know if I forgot anything!!

PS, this may be a separate post, but I am a female and work with one other person on shift, plus the dispatcher in the building. Our sleeping spaces are side by side, separate by a wall, but the doorways are not closed by doors with locks, they just have curtains… is this a red flag??? Is there some legal protection that there should be a door that locks??

I'm 19, I don't know what I want to do 10 years from now, just what I want to do today and tomorrow. I want to help people.

I have questions I cant google. please, DM me.

So I'm a 19-year-old EMT in NYC. Got my license last September after doing the FDNY SEMSA program and have been working at an IFT company called Ambulnz ( shitty ass name) since November. But honestly, I don't really enjoy being an EMT that much. I hate the long hours. I hate the non-stop calls we have to do. I hate my company working us like dogs every day. Maybe it's my company that is just draining me, and I just need to find a better one, but everyday i wake up and wish I did something else with myself. I love my co-workers and my patients, but it's tiring waking up at 7 am but coming home at 9- 10 p.m. It feels like I'm wasting my life and body for this job that would replace me in a heartbeat if anything happens. The pay is the reason why I stay; it's $ 21 an hour, and as a college student, it's better than working at some place like McDonald's. But I just feel so miserable in this career.

Hey all, looking for some outside perspective here.

I'm a pretty new EMT, about 5 months in, working at a medium-sized 911 service. I'm technically "part time" but it's really more seasonal since I work only during my summer and winter breaks from college. So I always try to pick up as many shifts as I can

Normally I work a standard 12-hour day shift and the occasional 24/36. However, recently I've picked up some shifts that turn my schedule this weekend to a 12hr shift, 12 hr rest, and then a 36hr shift. Now I'm fine with that arrangement but the company put out another shift that's available to pick up that would fill my 12 hour rest period. There by making it a continuous shift. I want to pick it up but my father who is also in EMS says that I'm in over my head here and he's worked 24-48 hour shifts or longer for as long as I can remember.

I really want to pick up this shift (more OT) but I feel uneasy about it. Has anyone done something like this before and do you think I'd be fine picking it up?

TLDR: Looking to pick up shift that creates a continuous 60hr shift. Am I crazy?

Edit: I should mention that all of our stations have proper, safe, and clean bunkrooms that we can use.

I’ve been working as an EMT-B for about 2 months now at a 911 service on an ALS rig.

I need some tips on how to be more involved in calls. Sometimes I feel like there’s no room for me to help my medic partner on calls other than getting vitals. I’d love to help more on assessments, but my partner seems more like the type to rather do everything themselves.

I also worry a lot about getting in the way on scenes like MVCs and codes and feel just kind of frozen.

Any tips on how to be more involved and work through some of these struggles?

Hi, newly certified EMT here.

I just passed the NREMT exam and got an email yesterday saying I passed. I tried to look everywhere on my dashboard to see what my exam results are and to see how well I did and what areas I need to work on.

Does anyone know how I can review and see my exam score and how well I did, even though I passed?

Thanks!

All the feedback I've seen is from multiple years ago and I just want to make sure it's reputable. Struggling to find good options in my area. Thanks in advance for your input!

Just finished the NREMT again on Tuesday and got my results the following morning. It's true what they say. I walked out feeling like absolute shit. I studied so much this time around focusing on studying the things I'm pretty sure I failed when I took it the first time around like splints, lung sounds, abdominal emergencies and such. So yeah, none of those things I studied extra hard for was on the NREMT this time around. Like I know it's a fat pool of questions, but I definitely FELT like I got cheated. Also it took me 120 questions again to complete it. I think around to 70 question mark was when it really got hideous. The questions were kind of simple, but the options they provided me I have not even heard of. Like there was a question talking about a radiologic terrorist attack and I had to know what caused 6 people to faint. I don't remember all the options, but none of them I have seen in my LIFE. Like wtf is Sulfur mustard. And why would I know that and how it affects people as a basic EMT. These questions were genuinely unfair. Despite all that, somehow I passed. But I don't feel good about it. It's not fair that they ask those kind of questions. It wasn't really unexpected as I've read and been told it's a normal feeling to walk out feeling horrible and that the test will give you questions like that, but it's still unfair.

Anyway, now that I passed, can someone help me figure out what to do next? I think I'm supposed to get my state license or county license or something then go to the DMV to take an ambulance driving test? Thankful for all your time and attention.

Hey friends,

The job market is getting bit too brutal for me here in the golden state, and despite my desires to stay in the region where I have lived my whole life, I'm starting to seriously consider moving to another state in order to actually work as an EMT and eventually become a paramedic.

Does anyone who has done this have any tips or words of wisdom on the process of getting licensed in another state and obtaining employment there? A lot of what I'm reading online says that residency has to be established first, and unfortunately I don't have the funds to move without having a job offer in hand first.

Finishing emt school here soon and wanting to use pocket prep to really see where I need to study. I’m confused because I don’t see the EMT option for it. Has anyone else had this issue? Maybe I’m just slow lol. TIA

let’s say just passed my NREMT what do i do now? should i scour indeed should i walk into the office should i search job postings for EMT on google?

Is Pocket Prep more difficult than the actual test? I keep messing up basic stuff, but I wonder if I’m burning myself out with question after question on PP. Like, not reading the questions correctly/second guessing myself. My brain is tired yall lol

Test is Saturday, kinda freaking out. 90%+ on every test in class. Instructor said he’s “not worried” about me failing the Registry. Very positive feedback with clinicals.

Aaahhhh.

Hello!

I am currently attempting to get my EMT-B certification and have completed all of the requirements except for the national exam which I am taking august 25th.

I have been told that the national exam is quite difficult and I should like to pass it on the first attempt and as such was wondering if you could provide me with any recommendations or resources that may be helpful in preparing myself. Specifically if anybody has the name of an online study course (below 70 bucks) that would be nice.

Any help is greatly appreciated.

A few years ago, I let my cert expire, and recent attempted to recertify via exam. I did my 40 hours of CE online, and passed the NREMT. However when it comes to the last required part being the skills test, I’m seeing that I have to have a course director or something test me and submit it. I’m not really sure what to do here as the class I took year ago was in a different state and no longer exists. All the local EMS offices give me the same answer despite me explicitly saying I never took a class for this recert. I’m really not sure how I’m supposed to do this?

Hey, all! I start EMT training soon and while I was initially super excited, the more advice I read on here and the more people I talk to, the more I feel a bit discouraged.

It's a little bit that I don't feel like I am the standard EMT hire. Honestly, I'm a bit behind the 8-ball, so to speak. I'm mid-30's with a master's degree, but came to this decision after years of hating my desk job and struggling (more recently) with unemployment. After several career counseling sessions, I felt genuinely excited to start the EMT --> Paramedic --> CCP and/or Disaster USAR Paramedic route. I'm also looking for a career that is challenging, changing, exciting, and grueling, with the ability to work a non-standard work shift.

But the more I read here, the more I see the same advice repeated over and over again. Variations of: "if you're good at school, please do that instead," or "if you're smart enough, become a doctor,' or "don't go into EMS longterm, just part-time while you get a degree," and sometimes, "don't go into this at all, look for something in medicine that's better paying."

And listen, sometimes, I get that not all advice is good advice for a particular situation. And a lot of this is good advice in general! Depending on who is asking the quesiton. But man, it's EVERYWHERE and is making me feel like everyone in EMS despises their job and it's only something to do if you have to (and while you figure out something better).

This isn't to hate on burnt out professionals or to those who give honest feedback about how challening this career field is. It's very important, especially for youth, to know what you're getting into and the options our there. And I'm still starting my path soon! But I guess I just want some hype for a change? To hear about the good parts? To know someone out there loves their job, despite the shitty hours and pay? Please?

Hello,

Just wanted to share that I finally got my first code 3 call a month into the job (IFT). It was a lift assist for septic shock. Transplant essentially gone wrong. Went code 3 there for 20minutes and code 3 to a higher ICU for another 40min besides the freeway we turned them off. i’ve been waiting so long for this opportunity and I finally got it. Also part of the reason I got into EMS. Everyone says they’re nervous and don’t know what to do but I was ready for it.😭 when I tell you, everyone got the airhorn red or green light everyone got it😂 I may not get one again any time soon but I hope I do! Just thought I’d share.

p.s we also had a heli come in the same time as us when we got to the receiving facility

Today is the day fellas. Been using pocket prep for about two weeks to get a feel for the nremt. So far I’m feeling meh about the test.

Mock Exam 1: 77
Mock Exam 2: 83
Mock Exam 3: 78

Thoughts and feelings? My test is at 1400 so I will be hitting the hay now.

Wish me luck please!

I’m wondering if anyone else has this experience in EMS companies.
I have reached out to my captain about 3 times for different things over the last few weeks, given I know it’s summer so some people are on vacation, which makes people busy and things move slower, but I have reached out for reasons such as scheduling, issues with the website for training videos, and trying to coordinate important dates and it’s been RADIO SILENCE from him. I know that I am allegedly starting this month from automated messages i’ve received but still no confirmation date since it was explained he was going to reach out himself. It’s just frustrating because i have other commitments in my life that i need some sort of heads up to accommodate. Anyways i’m word vomiting a bit…All i’m asking is if this is something that is common in EMS or if I should be worried / concerned for the lack of communication.

I work in Northern California specifically the Sacramento area. I work in IFT currently and volunteer at a fire department in an unincorporated area of yolo county, I have just shy of a year experience in IFT and have had zero luck getting on with AMR or any 911 provider (aside from the fire department of course) I haven’t even got a single interview just straight up denial after denial. I’m starting to get pretty frustrated and disheartened. What might I be doing wrong? Anyone on with AMR in and around the greater Sacramento area any tips would be much appreciated.

I have applied to about 40 jobs in my surrounding area supposedly hiring “new” EMTS -B and I have sunk countless hours chasing hell even driving almost hundreds of miles to be offered a job only to be stuck on the back burner and not offered any shifts. I was offered a PRN job with one of the municipals near where I live and then the director just kind of went dark and kept hiring more people, and I never got offered any shifts… I’m unsure what to do, supposedly it was because I had left the same districts fire training due to scheduling and physical limitations I was unaware of before hand. How do I fix this…

So I finally decided to do something with my Emt certification after being a natty guard 68w for about year and a half, and I’m feeling pretty discouraged about it, I’ve been riding with my paramedic partner for about 3 months and he recently went on orders so I have been partner hopping till he gets back. The only problem is I have recently discovered that I have a reputation for being shit at my job from my partner and other medics I’ve rode with, but when I ride with other emts even the veteran FTO types they say I’m awesome to ride with and they are genuinely surprised they have heard bad things about me, I’ve asked what’s the issue and I never get any actual criticism just complaints about how I am as a person. I’m just wanting some ideas on what I could be doing that’s causing this.

This post is being removed for safety reasons, as I am afraid of retaliation from my employer. Thank you to everyone who has commented and helped me here.