I was just thinking a few days ago, that I really miss blogging and writing. I can't believe I have not typed a blog up in over a year. The ending of 2011 I looked back over where I was and where I am today. In about the late part of 2009 I took a new job offer and left working in EMS full time. I knew at that time that I would already have been stressed to get in the required continuing education to renew my license. In 2011 my license came due, and sure enough I didn't have enough education to maintain my license and although I know I put 6 months into getting my EMT license and then maintaining the hours to keep it for the 1st renewal I do honestly miss it at times. I miss the people, and the compassion I could show the families and patients. I miss the great people I worked with and the interaction with other agencies. Of course I still have some of that, but it is not quite the same interaction.
In January 2011 when I last posted I was going over some older calls I had in EMS when I was working full time. I worked part time a few shifts now and then, but I found with a new wife it was difficult to manage my 2 days off, and working a 24 hour shift. I was removed by management due to my inactivity. Now I look back and sigh remembering the 24 hour shifts of calls, and minimal sleep. I can feel my chest tighten and my head floating the same feeling you feel when you are exhausted. I can remember the fear of dozing off while driving or not waking up when the tones dropped, I can see myself grumbling as the tones dropped in the middle of the busy night to go to the nursing home.
Today things have changed in the local EMS group, they have trouble finding people to fill in extra shifts, they have changed uniforms, they are now doing more interfacility transfers, the call volume seems to be lower, management has changed with an EMS supervisor. I don't know what they think of the changes, but the staff seems to stay pretty regular which is amazing in healthcare these days.
I have never said I hated EMS, I just disliked the lifestyle of having to live it nearly all the time. I don't miss the 24 hour shifts. I like my 8 hour shifts, although the night shift is still rough, I do make myself sleep and get up early enough in the day to spend time with my family. I get plenty of time to get things accomplished even when compared to the 12 hour shifts we once worked when I first was in EMS back in my early days for several years. I almost always worked nights, and then filled in on days now and then.
It probably seems like I am rambling, maybe I have hit a wall when it comes to having something to write. I always think of quotes and sayings when I am in bed and never get them wrote down. Dang me!
A lot of people will probably call me a failure for leaving EMS, but actually I feel I used EMS as a stepping stone. I got where I am based on my EMS experience and my people skills. I know in the past I have mentioned it but I will bring it up again. When I graduated high school I was a rather shy person. Working in EMS I think was a big asset for my personality, and probably made me who I am today. It built up my character and gave me the ability to network with others. I felt more confident when I was finally doing something I enjoyed and it didn' feel like the daily grind. Then after a few years it became the same grind. I have been at my current job going on 3 years and still feeling fresh, and constantly wanting to improve and learn more.
I think now is the best time to end this blog, and I want to see who is still reading this anyways, so if you want to know more..... let me know by your comments!
In January 2011 when I last posted I was going over some older calls I had in EMS when I was working full time. I worked part time a few shifts now and then, but I found with a new wife it was difficult to manage my 2 days off, and working a 24 hour shift. I was removed by management due to my inactivity. Now I look back and sigh remembering the 24 hour shifts of calls, and minimal sleep. I can feel my chest tighten and my head floating the same feeling you feel when you are exhausted. I can remember the fear of dozing off while driving or not waking up when the tones dropped, I can see myself grumbling as the tones dropped in the middle of the busy night to go to the nursing home.
Today things have changed in the local EMS group, they have trouble finding people to fill in extra shifts, they have changed uniforms, they are now doing more interfacility transfers, the call volume seems to be lower, management has changed with an EMS supervisor. I don't know what they think of the changes, but the staff seems to stay pretty regular which is amazing in healthcare these days.
I have never said I hated EMS, I just disliked the lifestyle of having to live it nearly all the time. I don't miss the 24 hour shifts. I like my 8 hour shifts, although the night shift is still rough, I do make myself sleep and get up early enough in the day to spend time with my family. I get plenty of time to get things accomplished even when compared to the 12 hour shifts we once worked when I first was in EMS back in my early days for several years. I almost always worked nights, and then filled in on days now and then.
It probably seems like I am rambling, maybe I have hit a wall when it comes to having something to write. I always think of quotes and sayings when I am in bed and never get them wrote down. Dang me!
A lot of people will probably call me a failure for leaving EMS, but actually I feel I used EMS as a stepping stone. I got where I am based on my EMS experience and my people skills. I know in the past I have mentioned it but I will bring it up again. When I graduated high school I was a rather shy person. Working in EMS I think was a big asset for my personality, and probably made me who I am today. It built up my character and gave me the ability to network with others. I felt more confident when I was finally doing something I enjoyed and it didn' feel like the daily grind. Then after a few years it became the same grind. I have been at my current job going on 3 years and still feeling fresh, and constantly wanting to improve and learn more.
I think now is the best time to end this blog, and I want to see who is still reading this anyways, so if you want to know more..... let me know by your comments!