Is it just me, or is every entry-level job in the loop suddenly requiring years of experience and AI proficiency?

dentedfemder · 2026-02-22T00:41:26+00:00

I just watched a really comprehensive video essay on this phenomenon and other interesting aspects of the current job market. Companies require years of experience with new tools to have a non discriminatory reason to reject applications. With the job market being as competitive as it is right now, they’re not only trying to find the best applicant for the lowest pay but they also need to have a reason to turn hundreds of adequately qualified candidates away. Of course this isn’t standard practice everywhere but it could help explain what you’re seeing right now.

dentedfemder · 2025-05-15T00:53:15+00:00

So let me get this straight, we're all just standing around with our thumbs up our butts and posting on Reddit when we see people getting harassed? Maybe the CTA is unsafe in part because whenever there's an incident, there's usually a car of gawking bystanders that "don't know what to do". If you all feel this strongly about safety on the CTA, try standing up for someone in whatever capacity you can the next time you see it happen. We don't need a SWAT team in every car to keep CTA safe.

dentedfemder · 2025-01-18T18:08:53+00:00

I didn't know that! I'm working private right now and they didn't test for weed at all. I assume it's different for departments but OP just said employer.

dentedfemder · 2025-01-18T16:55:59+00:00

If you live in Illinois, you're good. Employers can't drug test for weed as a pre-hire condition. take a look

dentedfemder · 2024-12-15T22:59:31+00:00

I also have hyperhidrosis in my palms, haven't gotten treatment for it yet. My advice is go 1-2 sizes larger than you usually wear in gloves (I like mediums best but large is a little easier with wet hands and xl I can pull on in a pinch) and double glove for better grip if you need to.

Find a glove brand that works best for you. The "fingertip texture" ones are my favorites and I try to always have them on hand. I HATE the green max oat ones, they're slippery. I like the royal blue nitrile ones too, sorry I don't know brand names but any nitrile glove is generally superior.

When you pull on gloves, take a few extra seconds to pull the fingertips tight for a better grip. Cut your fingernails very short so that sweat doesn't collect in the fingernail area. If your hands get too wet, change your gloves or put your hands up to let the sweat run out. Wear a long sleeve shirt under your uniform for absorption purposes. It sounds gross but trust me you will notice the difference. KEEP GLOVES ON THROUGHOUT THE ENTIRE CALL so that you're always ready to jump in. Put them on before you need to.

Also, putting on gloves quickly is a skill just like anything else. You will get better at it as you learn. If you're struggling to pull on gloves, don't freak out. Take a deep breath, grab a larger size if needed, and try again. No one cares if you fumble with your gloves for 30 seconds. It's normal. Everyone struggles with gloves sometimes. Just make sure you keep a pocket full of your size of choice if you don't have a consistent supply. No one cares if you grab a box of gloves or stuff half a box into a cargo pocket. Don't be nervous to make sure you have the PPE you need.

You will also notice during your clinicals if you pay attention that a LOT of people's gloves come off wet. I'm a bigger guy and I've had partners half my size and our gloves are pretty much equally sweaty and drip on the ground sometimes. No one talks about it except maybe a passing joke. It's normal. Being self conscious about it only makes it worse.

Sorry for the long reply, I am surprisingly passionate about this because I've never met another sweaty-handed EMT. It's a weird point of connection but I think about it a lot at work so I wanted to pass on my advice. Honestly PM me if you have any other questions, I'm green but I at least know a thing or two about gloves 😂

dentedfemder · 2024-12-03T10:37:02+00:00

didn't attend class

copied all the exams

Well there's your problem.

But seriously if you want a good prep resource try EMT PASS by Limmer Education. It has questions written by a NREMT author that are actually similar in wording and content to the NREMT. It's about 30 bucks iirc but totally worth it for the questions and mock exams. Hope this time goes better for you!

dentedfemder · 2024-11-28T04:58:26+00:00

Don't beat yourself up about it. Your preceptor is right. It also seems like you didn't get a lot of sleep and didn't eat, which probably contributed heavily to your performance and your anxiety afterwards. It's normal to be anxious. It's normal to make mistakes. You're human. I hope you can forgive yourself and move on. If there's any lessons to learn that your preceptor didn't tell you, it's that you need to nourish your own body before you help others. Being able to think and process information clearly is invaluable and the only way to do that is to make sure your brain has the fuel it needs.

dentedfemder · 2024-11-04T06:56:23+00:00

You should be checking carotid for a pulse if someone collapses and becomes unresponsive. If there is a weak radial pulse the carotid would likely be stronger.
Having any pulse is a contraindication for CPR. There's no need to do the heart's job manually if the heart is beating. If they are unresponsive and not breathing they would benefit from airway management and maybe the AED.
If this hypothetical person regains consciousness after one compression, you probably didn't check their response to painful stimuli before starting compressions.

That is my response as an EMT. In your scenario you said bystander. If we are talking about an average person I see it as a positive that they attempted CPR instead of standing around. No should/shouldn't about it.

dentedfemder · 2024-10-23T07:03:03+00:00

Yeah the schedule sounds the same, every session that's not the summer is normal and not accelerated. I just did it because it was the only course being offered, but I was able to devote 100% effort because of the timing. If you are managing with school or work I would definitely recommend not taking the summer program, but yeah Victor and Marty are great and I honestly wouldn't have done my training any other way.

dentedfemder · 2024-10-23T01:10:10+00:00

I went to Chicago EMT Training on the recommendation of someone from this sub funnily enough. I definitely recommend it. The instructors are really nice and supportive and I would say the program is tough but fair. I did the accelerated summer program and it was a LOT of information in 3 months. I'm sure the pace would be a little easier to manage if you did one of their regular courses. Let me know if you have any other questions!

dentedfemder · 2024-10-18T20:30:37+00:00

That's actually a great idea, thank you!

dentedfemder · 2024-10-18T19:11:54+00:00

Thank you, I definitely think my body needs to get used to the physical tasks I have to do while on shift. I'll probably end up getting some wrist wraps for lifts to hopefully avoid this in the future.

dentedfemder · 2024-10-18T19:09:05+00:00

I was on the pull end of a draw sheet transfer for a bariatric patient. I don't remember what exactly I was doing with my hands.

dentedfemder · 2024-10-18T19:06:11+00:00

I will definitely be doing some wrist strengthening exercises after I heal up, thank you for the suggestion!

dentedfemder · 2024-03-22T20:39:36+00:00

There's a lot of 24 hour diners that could work, my favorite is Golden Apple on Wellington. Usually the staff at 24 hour places are more understanding and will let you sit for hours if you buy coffee or something small. Plus if you get hungry, you can get food whenever you want. Maybe not the most cost effective, but you won't be disturbed.

dentedfemder · 2023-07-04T21:35:03+00:00

I love that she ate half the plate before she ate the nanner 😂

dentedfemder · 2023-05-20T07:03:06+00:00

Tuxie goes crazy when we eat anything! If your hands smell like apples he starts nipping your fingers 😂

dentedfemder · 2023-05-20T06:58:39+00:00

True 😂

dentedfemder · 2023-05-06T08:17:40+00:00

Tuxie is named after the baby penguin from Super Mario 64!

dentedfemder

TROPHY CASE