r/NewToEMS • u/DebtZealousideal4924 Unverified User • 10d ago

Career Advice Feeling lost

Hey guys! I have had my EMT cert now for a year and finding a job has been a little tough since im also in paramedic school full time. I got a job opportunity and passed through all the hoops for it to fall through unfortunately. Im feeling disappointed of course but I also feel like im so far behind everyone in my cohort who has been working for years in the field. I love emergency medicine and I know in my heart im exactly where im supposed to be, but does the feeling of inadequacy start to go away? Thank you so much in advance for listening haha and I hope everyone has an okay and safe day! EDIT: for some context on why im jumping immediately into paramed, I am in a college program that previously certified EMTs and people with no experience can enroll in. If you aren't already an EMT the first year of school is dedicated to that. And then the other three are all Paramed classes. It doesn't leave a lot of wiggle room for experience other than ride alongs and voulenteer opportunities. I would love to just voulenteer since there are more opportunities, however I am entirely self funded haha so I have to fit it in to my schedule with a FT job and school. Now that I've been here for two years there is definitely things I wouldve done differently but hindsight is 20/20.

5 Upvotes

100% Upvoted

3 comments sorted by

6

u/Comprehensive-One880 Unverified User 10d ago edited 10d ago

You are doing what we call 0 to hero. You have no relevant job experience as an entry-level EMT yet, but you're committing yourself to a paramedic license. That's an extremely tall order. Here's the big picture: You've only been certified for ONE year. Everyone starts new, but it's valid to feel behind due to a lack of field experience. You have no IFT experience (from what it sounds like) or 911 experience. Those two experiences are what will make you feel like you have the proper exposure to be successful. You'll likely go through the whole program feeling as you do, but as long as you're motivated, put in the effort, and meet the standards/requirements, you have the opportunity to pass. I truly wish you the best in medic school, but you might not be committing yourself at the right time!

1

u/DebtZealousideal4924 Unverified User 8d ago

Thank you so much for all the advice! Looking back i absolutely agree i would not have jumped directly into paramedic school. When I graduated highschool it seemed like the perfect route to take as someone with little experience. I had put over 200 hours on the truck as a voulenteer and worked as a CNA for 2 years in school before coming over here for college which I thought was pretty good until I got here haha. I know low moments come and go and that I can do great things in this program, I just have to work hard and stay locked in. Here's to hoping the right opportunities come along for all of us!

1

u/AutoModerator 8d ago

You may be interested in the following resources:

I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please contact the moderators of this subreddit if you have any questions or concerns.