Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by bonnie on May 26, 2008 at 11:44pm

D man, It is hard thing when you get burned out,,but you made the first move and you have admitted it that is the first move,,,,then you need to get into a cisd and just talk about all your calls and get them out in the open it helps..........critical stress debriefing reall does work...........stay brave and keep strong you will get through..stay safe and god speed brother!!!!!!!!

Permalink Reply by ERCVFD 842 C. Warren on June 13, 2008 at 3:02am

Hey D man it happens to all of us at some point or another, I worked at a smaller county operated als ems agency for almost three years but the pay was too low but I still loved it and said that I would never do anything else, than I was offered a job with a larger bls/als agency on a bls truck for more money, within 6 months I was burned out and wanted out of ems so bad, but knew I could never totally get out. I was then offered a job at a steel mill as a security officer/emt, so I still get to use my emt skills but don't have to put up with alot of the cramp anymore and make alot more money. So bro step back, look at your situation and ask yourself if you need to talk about it or take a break from it, and bonnie is right cisd really does work. Be safe out and may god me with you on all your rescues!!

Permalink Reply by Brittany on July 1, 2008 at 11:44am

Do you do this as a job only (i.e., Private Ambulance Service) or job and volunteer/work part time paid somewhere else? For me, I do both. I work privates and I volunteer. There are days that I feel like I would gladly ditch my job and everything that goes with it and just stick to volunteering. But for me, those are few and far between, usually when I'm pulling a LOT of extra hours, or when I'm literally sick, and still at work. And then you'll get the call where something you said or did made a difference. Those are the calls I cherish and look back on when I'm hating what I do. When you made a little old lady who was in pain smile or laugh. When the family member grabs your hand as you're going out the door and back to your rig and says "thank you." What we do isn't for a paycheck. It isn't for the people who abuse the system. It isn't even for the adrenaline rush, because that wears off. It's for the people. I wish I had something better to share with you, something that worked without fail to keep you from feeling burned out... but all I've got is that what we do is about the people, and you need to have a life outside of saving lives. Hang in there.
Brittany

Permalink Reply by Beth on July 6, 2008 at 1:16pm

When I worked for a private transport company we did mostly hospital to nursing home, home to hospice house and dyalisis pts. I got so tired of the bs, from the company, my coworkers and the pts. I had to quit that job or go crazy. I now do private home health care and volunteer at my deprtment. Paid companies are not all they are cracked up to be. The pvt. service demands that you do everything- go here, show up at this time, don't get sick, work extra hours, etc. At the crew hall you show up when you want and run calls when you want. Just take a step back and think of other things that you may want to do. Burn out is tough. If you hear your self saying - yeah, yeah, whatever - more often than not then you need to reevaulate your job. If you need to talk I am here.

Permalink Reply by Big Jim on August 5, 2008 at 12:04am

I personally don't believe in the term "burned out." I have been a paramedic for 10 years. I have made all kinds of "bad" calls and seen plenty of blood, guts, "crispy critters", and really gross stuff. I hear people complain all the time about being burned out. The truth is, I think they just don't want to do the job. For whatever reason, they are in the wrong profession. I understand the stress that goes along with the job, especially when dealing with pedis. You have to find a way to deal with the stress before it becomes a problem. This might be a sympathetic ear from a spouse or a friend, or maybe a professional counselor. If you learn to deal with the stress, you will never be "burned out".

Permalink Reply by D.MAN on September 6, 2010 at 12:25pm

SINCE I PUT THIS ON HERE I HAVE LEFT THE PRIVATE SERVICE AND NOW WORK AT THE RESQUE SQUAD.I HAVE GOTTEN ENGAGED LAST YEAR AND WE HAD A SON ON AUGUST 23rd.I TOOK SOME TIME FROM VOL.FOR A WHILE,BUT NOW I AM BACK AND I DONT FEEL BURNED OUT.THANKS FOR YOUR ADVISE IT HELPED.