What is EMT basic like?

EMS is just as physical--if not more so--than CNA work. You're going to substitute some of the butt-wiping, but definitely not all of it. In return, you'll get pain seekers, the morbidly obese type that you can't get out of their houses safely (but YOU will have to somehow fanagle out of their 6th story apartment), the folks who call you for a ride to the ER because they want a Tylenol, and a billion other unspleasant pre-hospital type scenarios.

Look at it this way. In a hospital, things may be hectic, but it's yours. You as a CNA are at home in a hospital. The patients aren't. In EMS, you're often in the patient's house/apartment/etc or out in public. A much, much less controlled environment.

I was an EMT before I started working as a CNA in a hospital. It's no picnic. As far as autonomy, yeah, not really. You have paramedics and EMT-I's who will be above you on the food chain, and still, everything you're able to do is under the authority and direction of your program's medical director (physician). Some of the perks of EMS: you've got crappy pay, no thanks for a lot of hard work, and you're outside in all seasons, all weather. If you think switching from CNA to EMT-B is going to make things better, I'd think again if I were you.

That is why I am seeking personal EMT stories. all I really know is what I have read on job descriptions. I wanted to hear personal experiences. I did gather that you weren't very fond of your time as a EMT. As for people wanting rides for Tylenol and drug seekers, I wouldn't find it much different from the patients that push that call button 10 times and hour for stuff like "hand me the TV remote" that is usually within their reach and hey, I mean whatever, I'm there to make them comfortable and help when needed. Still irritating when you have a ton of people that actually need your help though, which is probably exactly your point. I'd think even a amazing career like being a doctor would come with similar down falls. Either way though thank you for your time to comment, I cant argue since you have been on both sides as a EMT and CNA:)

I was a working EMT and Paramedic for about 7 years. EMT is basically not much more than advanced first aid that you can take from the Red Cross and then add in a few more skills. I've had a good and varied career in EMS but it definitely can be quite physical. Your scope of practice is pretty limited and what you can do is done by physician order (in the form of standing protocols). You do have some autonomy and if you're lucky enough to work for a company that allows you to work with more advanced providers, you can learn from them and run some 911 calls every now and again. For the EMT though, most of that work is basically being the "gofer" for the medic, getting basic vital signs, setting up for ALS procedures, and the like. Oh, and driving. Lots and lots of driving. I can almost guarantee that in pretty short order, you'll learn where all the major hospitals, skilled nursing facilities, dialysis centers, and (occasionally) airports are.

One of the more interesting duties I had was when I was assigned to the CCT ambulance. Very frequently I was tasked with setting up most of the equipment and assisting the transport nurse with his or her tasks. I ended up learning a LOT from those nurses and they, along with a couple of flight nurses that I had both professional and educational contact with, heavily influenced my decision to later become an RN myself.

My suggestion is this: if you're looking to advance your career along the nursing end of things, don't bother with becoming an EMT. It's great if you're eventually looking to do transport, but you'd probably be a lot better off staying a CNA and working on getting through your studies. You'll have to figure out how to work around your distractibility but it's often possible.

That is why I am seeking personal EMT stories. all I really know is what I have read on job descriptions. I wanted to hear personal experiences. I did gather that you weren't very fond of your time as a EMT. As for people wanting rides for Tylenol and drug seekers, I wouldn't find it much different from the patients that push that call button 10 times and hour for stuff like "hand me the TV remote" that is usually within their reach and hey, I mean whatever, I'm there to make them comfortable and help when needed. Still irritating when you have a ton of people that actually need your help though, which is probably exactly your point. I'd think even a amazing career like being a doctor would come with similar down falls. Either way though thank you for your time to comment, I cant argue since you have been on both sides as a EMT and CNA:)

Actually, I enjoyed my (brief) time in EMT work. Most of what I'm channeling are my friends who remained in EMT work and within a few years were so burnt out that they could barely stand to go to work anymore.

EMS was different than "hand me the remote" offenders. You are essentially the provider on scene. There's a lot more responsibility and much less authority in EMS--at least in my opinion--especially at the EMT-B level.

Finding a job as a new EMT can be just as hard as finding a new nursing job if not harder. It's usually 16 weeks or less depending on what type of program you go through. I think the average is 10 weeks but some people cram it into less than a month. So you're competing against a ton of new graduates for the jobs as an EMT. A lot of places will hire EMTs for wheelchair van drivers instead of EMTs due to the amount of new grads.

The class overall is easy. Each state is different but similar. In my state, when I took my EMT-basic we intubated but they have taken that skill away from the EMTs in favor of king airways. The skills include loading a stretcher, vitals, insertion of basic airways like a king airway or a LMA or a combi-tube, backboarding, that one board (was it KED board?), AED, CPR, epi-pen, "assist with patient taking nitro," and I think they can do nebulizers. I don't think they do the pressure pants anymore.

In all honesty, EMS is overglorified. Most of the EMTs wind up working in private EMS where most of the runs are routine where you take them to dialysis or a doctor's appointment. Occasionally, some people can get into a 911 service but you need to be physically fit, especially with fire departments and EMS departments combining. Some places contract 911 calls out to private ambulances.

There's a joke that in EMS you will be standing around and it's kind of true. If you work 911, you can't make an emergency happen. If you work in private duty, you will probably be ran your ass off with little regard to your health. It's more "ass-kissing" than "ass wiping."

You can't really do online EMT classes because most states require clinicals, usually a mix of hospital and fire departments.

My personal experience as a private EMT is that it sucks. The private companies here are all the same and they treat you like **** because they can. There is always another EMT lined up to take your spot. I know personally dozen or so people who have snapped. I mean literally snapped. I was close to snapping. You will be sitting inside an ambulance 90% of the time.

In the fire department, it's better but there is more downtime usually unless you are on a super busy department. However, if you do not want to be a firefighter, then don't join a fire department. Most of the calls are EMS calls.

Overall, EMS has a lot of backstabbing that goes on. I think it's the fear of constantly being on the edge. The companies really do treat you like crap. If you can get, into a hospital or hospital-based private as they are marginally better than regular privates in terms of how they treat their people.

My friends make rounds in the companies to this day. One day everyone works for X but then they will quit and work for Y, but then there will be a mass-quitting and they will go work for Z. Soon they will wind up back at X again before quitting to go back to Z. It's a never ending circle.

As for pay, as an EMT I maxed out at 9 dollars an hour which was more than retail. As a paramedic in a private, I maxed out at 11.Xish. I think 11.40. As a patient care tech in an ER that I was hired in due to my EMT experience, I maxed out at 12.50 but then I was laid off. I was then hired in as a unit clerk at 12.96 plus an additional 1 an hour for night shift and .40 cents for the weekend. I made more as a unit clerk than as an EMT out in the field. When I worked as a paramedic in an ER, I made 16.50 plus the same shift differentials as a unit clerk. So basically, I never worked in the field after doing the math. In fact, the helicopter paramedics in our hospital system start out at 17ish an hour so I was making the same as them.

Fire sometimes pays the best. I was a volunteer and I made 18 bucks per call plus an additional 18 if I transported. That could be beneficial or could **** you over. A eight hour fire and you make less than 3 bucks an hour. 4 EMS calls back to back without transporting one? You make over 50 bucks for that hour. There are some part-time positions that paid less than 10 bucks an hour and there were some that paid 24 bucks an hour. However, all spots are competitive!

Phlebs start out in my area around 14 bucks at the hospitals.

I live in an area where the median household makes about 30,000 a year.

So far the EMS thing is not sounding as great as I hoped. You kind of got me with the "You'll be sitting in the ambulance 90% of the time." I dont want to be a nurse, I have no desire. I guess I will just keep working as a CNA and keep applying for the hospital. Maybe ill look into a Phlebotomy course just to have it on my resume. Thank you guys for your thoughts and time :)

It's not bad if you can get on a fire department. Those that do get on a fire department are a lot happier. However, a lot of firefighters are actually volunteers or part-time. The full-time positions are tough to get into. In my area, a lot of full-time fire departments hire off of lists where basically you take a written test and are ranked. Then you have to pass a rigorous physical test followed by an interview. Thousands try out but only a handful will get called.

In reality though, there are more EMTs than there are positions. The ones that work private ambulances tend to be frustrated or so it seems. The hospital-based ones are better and people seem happier with them.

Ok, so I think most of the bad has been given! lol

I was an EMT-B for a VFD, while I did my pre-reqs for my nursing program, so I don't know anything about "private EMS", as they don't have it here. Our ambulance service is run by the hospital and the local FD. Those who got their basics, either got out or went on to be intermediates. As basics they could work for the ambulance service, but they really wanted EMT-Is, which is why if you wanted to do it you got your I. EMT-B could also work in the ER as techs. I think the ER tech position paid a bit more than EMT-B in the ambulance service.

If you wanted to do the FF route, then they were either EMT-I or became paramedics. EMT-I also work in the ER as techs, and their pay is about $2 more than that for EMT-B, not great in either case. The EMT-B trained techs can do more than the CNA techs can. Our hospital will send them to EMT-I training or to several courses for reading strips and things like that for job advancement.

IMO, I would much rather do the EMT-B or EMT-I tech jobs than the CNA tech jobs. I would also find the ambulance at least more stimulating than a CNA job, even if I was driving most of the time.

If you went with the EMT career path, you could eventually get your paramedic license if you choose to. Each level has more autonomy, although your top level is far less than other healthcare positions.

I think there are many others healthcare positions to consider as well, xray tech, ultrasound, rt, etc. Keep looking you will find something you like!

I can't say much about being an EMT but I can tell you that phlebotomy jobs are extremely good. I'm 25 years old and have been a phlebotomist for 4 years now and it really helped me find my path. I'm currently a nursing student and realize that's not for everybody, but phlebotomy has a large range of its own unique challenges and you get to work closely with patients. They really begin to love and recognize the good techs and the pay is very good for starting. Getting promoted to float pools means extremely good pay for the position (in the ballpark of $16.00/h + mileage) and the hours are very reasonable if you work for outpatient settings or in physicians offices. Some phlebs get night differential at hospitals which can add 1-2$ extra per hour too. Just a few things to consider if you are thinking about going that route.

I will say that I have known a few EMT's and they had a very difficult time finding a job with any of the private or public EMS companies. Many of them are busy hiring Army/Marine medics and some wont even consider you unless you are ex-military depending on region. Colorado has a large military presence compared to the states around us though. Just something else to consider. EMT's are life savers and you get to see a lot. Phlebotomists are vampires and patients come to know and love you. Both have their perks.

EMT summary of knowledge and skills learned:

vitals signs assessment

BLS airway management

BLS medical and trauma emergency management.

EMT courses are not easy but if you work hard they aren't terrible. EMT is just as physical as CNA If not more and you learn and know a lot more then a CNA. However EMTS are completely geared towards emergencies and primarily defecting and treating life threats.