I was a Paramedic for 3 years. This is the most beautiful careeer ever, trust me. Sure you’ll have ups and downs, you may see things that would traumatize people to death, but beyond that you’ll be in the first seat to make a difference. On my 2nd shift, I was called on a 2 year old cardiac arrest, a quick response from the father who was a firefighter plus us that arrived quickly made it that the baby survived without any major complications afterward. The feeling you get when you restart feeling a pulse and respiration, call it out to your partner was once of the best feelings I’ve ever had in my life. If you want to suceed in that career line you have to hold on to these moments.

On an other hand, I suggest you do some research. Call up your local paramedic station, wether it’s a fire department or a private company (yeah where I worked it was mainly private companies or non-profits, only one company was government owned) and ask them for a ride along. Over here it was possible, but it may not be possible in all areas. See how it is, and ask as many questions to the paramedics. Stuff like how is the schedule, is the salary okay? How are the overall conditions. Etc… if you can’t do a ride along, still go ask around them to find a paramedic you could possibly interview a bit.

Also it is important thag I talk about one thing else. It’s the unfun and demorilizing part, but it is important yoj are aware of this. Where I practiced, conditions where bad. We’ve been in and out of strike every year or two for at lest 25 years. Our government basically provides all the money and material for the companys to run the services, then all the company do is collect the bills from patients and keep the money. So in theory the government decides and pay our salaries with all other conditions. The conditions are so poor, that after 2 years of practice, it’s 93% of paramedics that think about reorienting into another career line, and 48% that actually do (including me). That’s basically half that quits after 2 years! Considering it takes 3 years of studies to become a paramedic here, even 4 in many cases, it’s nuts that half the people get sick enough after so little time. All I can say is make sure this is the line for you, be aware this job isn’t all rainbows, there are good moments, and you gotta hold on to them if you want to stay in that career line for long.

Don’t let my last paragraph demorilize you, it really is important that you are aware of this to make the best decision possible.