First Week

I've been back on the ambulance, as a paramedic, for a week, now. And, and in some ways, it's as if I never left. Sure, there's new medications, treatments, diagnostic tools, equipment, policies, and procedures. But, sick people are still sick people. And I, amazingly enough, have the ability to help make them better.

And the stress associated? Sure, exists with any job. But, this time around, I feel...well..you know the expression, "I wish I'd known then what I know now?"

I do.

And it makes a huge difference. It's easy to let yourself hyper focus on the small stuff. But, when you just focus on running each call, one at a time, and doing your best to improve a patient condition...even it it's just to make them smile or laugh...you discover a whole new layer to the "job."

My advice to anyone starting out or maybe just a few years in: don't get hung up on the details...focus on the patient. Don't take work home with you. Although, if you remember that patient care includes smiling patients because you had a great conversation with them...then taking work home is actually a good thing!