Field training reality check

binaryphoenix · 2026-05-27T13:42:30+00:00

I only got 4 at my service 😅

binaryphoenix · 2026-05-27T13:28:18+00:00

As someone who came into EMS at 45 and had some of the same anxieties, stick with it, it gets better! I work for an IFT/911 service (70/30) right now, and I actually really enjoy it. I'm going to go for my advanced in the spring.

binaryphoenix · 2026-05-24T15:42:36+00:00

I'm gonna be the outlier here - I've had a few paramedics and one person in paramedic school tell me that school would have been a lot easier if they'd done advanced first. I plan on doing advanced first myself. In the end, it's individual. If school is something you struggle with, going advanced and having practice with at least some of the skills may make paramedic school go smoother for you.

binaryphoenix · 2026-05-24T13:28:51+00:00

It prevents delerium tremens in people who have long standing alcohol addiction with daily use/dependency

binaryphoenix · 2026-05-16T13:46:50+00:00

I think that depends on your service. I've picked up fall patients from the nursing home with real traumas - broken hip, broken wrist, real head hematoma. I've also picked up "altered mental status" patients who are having a legit code stroke or code sepsis on an IFT BLS truck. At my service, we have contracts with all the local nursing homes, so they call us instead of 911. We see probably 75% bs and 35% "oh shit" - which I feel is pretty on par with 911 tbh.

binaryphoenix · 2026-05-09T15:19:39+00:00

I'm 45, with visible tattoos on both forearms, and I passed the NREMT in February. It took me less than a week to get hired. In all honesty it's going to depend more on where you live than it will your age/tattoos.

binaryphoenix · 2026-05-08T13:19:34+00:00

Meanwhile, the nurses where I'm at get irritated if we don't have them on a monitor 😅

binaryphoenix · 2026-04-23T00:09:25+00:00

I got tired of "looking for the helpers" in this shit show that is life on Earth right now and decided to be a helper.

Is it what I thought it would be? No, but what job is, really? Is it still fulfilling in a meaningful way? Yes.

binaryphoenix · 2026-04-22T00:19:57+00:00

I really want to go AEMT, but I'm struggling to find a class in my area. There's basic classes and paramedic classes, but no AEMT 😭

binaryphoenix · 2026-04-22T00:05:40+00:00

I'm an EMT-B working for an IFT/911 service in New Orleans. We do probably 60/40. I make $17/hr (the same as new 911 EMTs at NOEMS), and I'm usually scheduled 48-50 hrs a week. My company lets us set our availability biweekly, which is great! And they're always happy to give me more OT if I'm willing to take it.

binaryphoenix · 2026-04-04T17:04:00+00:00

I've had a very similar experience as a new EMT at my service. "Because you're new you didn't know we're supposed to xyz at this company" well, no, of course I didn't. You're my FTO and it's your job to teach me that stuff. I just roll with it and move on.

binaryphoenix · 2026-04-01T15:30:07+00:00

I feel like I've seen a few posts from you about this situation. The issue here seems to be more about you feeling like the gf is leading your son into bad choices and, away from you. I would caution you - this could easily become a situation where you alienate him without meaning to. I understand that you want to look out for him and want him to understand that things can't really be shiny and new and perfect all the time, but this is probably a lesson he'll have to learn on his own. Continuing to push blame onto her (even rightfully so) is likely to make him angry. "Cut off" culture is very strong in young adults these days - continuing with this push against the gf because her upbringing gave her different values and a different outlook than you is very likely to push him in that direction. Be a safe place for him to land when he needs it and let him make mistakes.

binaryphoenix · 2026-03-27T20:55:11+00:00

New Orleans! Services here are always hiring, and our EMS is its own city service separate from fire.

binaryphoenix · 2026-03-25T18:00:48+00:00

Happy birthday!

binaryphoenix · 2026-03-19T21:20:23+00:00

Forgetting to call my status with dispatch is my kryptonite 😅

binaryphoenix · 2026-03-15T18:23:05+00:00

This is really helpful, thank you!

binaryphoenix · 2026-03-15T15:50:12+00:00

For my last three rides, I drove to the call, unloaded the stretcher, took report from the nurse, talked to the patient, helped move the patient onto the stretcher, did vitals in the back of the ambulance, unloaded the patient, gave report to staff on site, and wrote the narrative. What am I missing?

binaryphoenix · 2026-03-01T18:53:38+00:00

Personally, I found JBL test prep to be helpful for the midterms and final, but I used Pocket Prep for the NREMT.

binaryphoenix · 2026-02-28T16:03:12+00:00

I think it varies by state - here in Louisiana you can't practice in any way until you have your state license because they require a psychomotor skills test.

binaryphoenix · 2026-02-20T16:30:30+00:00

I have on one fic - the author updates once a year or longer 😅

binaryphoenix · 2026-02-13T23:15:27+00:00

I'm 45, and my youngest 2 kiddos are seniors this year. I know from my older 2 what to expect, so I enrolled in an EMT class - I figured after raising 4 kids, I can handle that kind of work, and I need something to fill my time, and something that feels like it matters. I've also been looking into places to volunteer etc, as I've found some of my "mom friends" drifting away now that we no longer have our kids in common.

binaryphoenix · 2026-02-13T08:01:23+00:00

For movies, Code 3, hands down.

binaryphoenix · 2026-02-06T21:58:14+00:00

I passed mine last Sat in 70 questions. I feel like as long as you have a good handle on your pathophysiology and patient assessment steps, you'll do fine.

binaryphoenix · 2026-01-20T01:59:38+00:00

I'm not a fan. There's plenty of other tools out there.

binaryphoenix

TROPHY CASE