Although I am currently focused on being a college student, again, I have also gained quite the life experience working as a paramedic. And yes, I do mean ‘again’ because I ended up taking a semi-unplanned gap year – or three – to establish myself before continuing to be able to pursue my degree.

I stumbled into EMS for a couple of reasons. Namely, a childhood morbid curiosity that taught me how strong a stomach I had. Combine that with the joy of a mild adrenaline high and undiagnosed ADHD to get a perfect recipe for any first responder.

There’s a lot about working on an ambulance that people misunderstand, so let me go over a couple of things to introduce you to the world that I have found myself in. To start, it is shocking to borderline disrespectful how often people call 911 or EMS for illegitimate reasons. And I don't mean simple things like when an elderly person falls down, there’s no one to help them off the floor, so we have to go out and do it ourselves. I’m referring to abuse of the system by a select minority that decides that ambulances are actually just a taxi service. Next, nursing homes are the arch nemesis to EMS. I generally expect that I’m there for one of two reasons: there’s an “emergency” due to a single abnormal lab value, or someone is dying in the next 24 hours, and the nursing home is putting it in my hands to try and wipe their hands clean of responsibility.

Now, to address the rumors that you might have heard that I can confirm are true, or at least for my personal coworkers. It’s well known that it takes a strong stomach and mental fortitude to manage the situations that first responders face, and while I can agree with this, I can add that this is also due to an impressive level of desensitization. Additionally, the aforementioned ADHD is very prevalent in the field, from the ability to handle difficult tasks to long hours with grueling workloads. Another well-known fact is how rewarding the work can be. The difference that you can make on someone in one of their most vulnerable times is commonly both small but disproportionately impactful.

The work that I do is equally satisfying as it can be taxing, but I would do it all over again for the life skills that I have learned from it. The things that I no longer take for granted are plentiful and provide a purpose that drives me towards my goals. And although I love the work, I am also in college to be able to leave the ambulance life when the time comes. I enjoy the path that I’ve taken, but I look forward to forging the paths that I have ahead of me as well.

Image Citation

Dickherber, Audrey, and Ethan Hunter. “Gas Station Releases Statement on N. Augusta Double Killing.” Https://Www.Wrdw.Com, 28 Oct. 2025, www.wrdw.com/2025/10/28/gas-station-releases-statement-n-augusta-double-killing/.