Being a paramedic is a heroic feat. You’re dedicating yourself to serving others–to the extent that you’re actively working to save people’s lives. And while incredibly worthwhile, this job has its fair share of challenges.
One of the hardest parts is the physical and emotional stress it can cause you. But with great dedication, passion, and a lot of preparation, you can navigate the paramedic journey much more easily!
The Challenges of Being a Paramedic
Being a paramedic takes a lot of work, and it can take a toll on people physically and mentally. Here are some of the hardest parts of being a paramedic:
Rigorous Training
Paramedics go through stringent training because the job entails saving people’s lives. You must develop a set of knowledge and skills, which you do through a training course complemented by National Registry paramedic test prep from The Paramedic Coach’s Video Vault.
After your education, you must pass the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians (NREMT) cognitive exam to prove that you have what it takes to be an emergency medical services (EMS) professional. How long is the paramedic practical test? It takes only an hour to finish, but it’s packed with several skill stations that will require you to think on your feet, drawing from what you know.
Acquiring certification is a feat, with many aspiring paramedics failing on their first try. However, you can easily pass the exam with a good program and the right test prep!
The Video Vault is jam-packed with a variety of resources that you can use to augment your paramedic course. For only $147, you get access to more than 480 videos of content, 2,000 NREMT practice questions, worksheets, drug cards, and audio files that can boost your EMS know-how and give you the confidence to ace the exam.
One of our users, Ibrahim, used our Video Vault after failing his exam for the second time. With it, he passed on his third try, saying that the resource allowed him to “face any question.”
Another user, Nathan, said that the Video Vault was “all he needed to pass.” After being out of school a year and juggling a family, a full-time job, and several other vocational and social commitments, the Paramedic Coach’s videos allowed him to review, re-digest, and retain information he previously learned in a more efficient way.
Psychological Stress
Paramedics are often exposed to stressful situations that involve injuries, trauma, illness, and even death. Witnessing these events–and being part of the action–can take a toll on a person’s psychological well-being. Then again, the rewards of being able to save people’s lives often balance the scales.
Aspiring paramedics need to improve and maintain their overall well-being before committing to the job. Purchasing the Video Vault’s resources comes with access to a helpful group of like-minded individuals, including aspiring and current paramedics who can give you the support you need, whether you’re just entering your paramedic journey and are getting anxious about your exam or are deep into the process and require experience-based answers.
Physical Burden
The emergencies experienced by paramedics differ, but they commonly involve challenging environments. You might be called to respond to a patient with a contagious disease or a car accident requiring you to do some heavy lifting.
You may be at risk for injury in some instances, so it’s best to stay alert and move safely. Paramedics may also suffer from a lack of sleep due to the long hours required for the job. Some people work an entire twenty-four-hour period, but a shift typically runs from nine to twelve hours.
Difficult People
As a paramedic, you’ll have to deal with many people from different backgrounds. It might get difficult to communicate with them, especially when they become unpleasant or hard to work with. You must then practice your communication skills to effectively handle all types of personalities.
Major Responsibility
Paramedics carry the responsibility of saving people’s lives. This can be a heavy weight to carry, especially knowing that your decisions might have consequences for the patients.
On-the-job training is the best way to prepare yourself to make those on-the-spot, life-or-death decisions. But if you can’t get in-person hours in, our Video Vault can complement your learning with real-world examples and scenarios, complete with visual aids, so that you’re better equipped to handle the situation when it arises while you’re in the field.
Why Being a Paramedic Is a Worthwhile Decision
Though it comes with some cons, being a paramedic is still worthwhile. As a paramedic, you get to perform medical procedures, assist those in need, build a solid career foundation, enjoy career and advancement opportunities (What type of paramedic makes the most money? Supervisors earn a solid income!), experience adventure regularly, and connect with a wide variety of people.
If you have a passion for helping people and believe you can successfully manage the hardest parts of working in the EMS field, it’s time to start your journey to becoming a paramedic! The Video Vault from the Paramedic Coach is a great place to get started because concepts are designed to be easily comprehensible for better understanding.
