EMS is supposed to be a career that eats people and spits them out in less than five years. That conventional wisdom doesn’t apply to all. There are paramedics and EMTs that have worked in the field for more than 30 years.
In the EMS Pioneers column paramedic and writer Mike Rubin interviews and profiles unsung heroes of EMS. Providers who have mostly or exclusively worked in the field without becoming book authors or conference presenters. Rubin shares their stories and anecdotes.
Rubin described the process, what he has learned about career longevity from the pioneers and the ongoing search for more pioneers on the Inside EMS Podcast with Kelly Grayson and Chris Cebollero. Grayson asks if there is a specific lesson Rubin has learned from the pioneers.
My top takeaway is that nearly every pioneer has described a decision made early in their career to leave work at work. To not bring home the unpleasantness that might come from patients, bystanders and even coworkers. I think it is an important reminder that we each get to define the stress we experience and not let something be ‘bad’ just because someone tells us it is ‘bad.’
Have a listen and then go read about the pioneers.
Thanks Mike, Kelly, and Chris.
