I'm having a career crisis

[Riff Raff]

Last night at work I had the pleasure of being verbally assaulted and threatened by a real charmer. In the process of escaping out the back of the ambulance when he appeared to be about to throw a punch at me I managed to hit my head and injure my back. I feel like crap today with a headache, nausea and lower back pain.

As this is the third time in as many weeks that I have been on the receiving end of aggression, I’m really starting to wonder why I’m doing this job. I can’t understand the mentality of people who are aggressive towards the people who are there to help. I’ve been having nightmares recently about being seriously injured on the job and it’s all starting to get me down.

Maybe I’ll feel better about my job in a day or so, but right now I’m feeling really emotional and wondering if I should be looking at a career change. And it’s not just me that’s affected – poor WT is suffering too.

Thanks in advance for the support I know I’ll be getting from some of you as a result of this thread. It’s really good to know that I’ve got somewhere to turn to when things are getting me down.

PS – If I do any heavy handed moderating on here today please bear with me.

[Joni]

Oh hun Im sorry to hear that you had to go through something like that... I suppose it is part of the job, but still it does not make it easier.

I can send you a portable "Jo in the box" - I will punch their lights out of they hurt you :angry:

[Beemer]

Like you, I can't understand the mentality of people who attack ambulance officers, SPCA officers, police, fire officers, etc. I can understand being under stress when a situation arises and maybe fighting someone off who is trying to help you, but often it's the bystanders, many of who aren't even involved in the incident.

You do a thankless job and I hope I never need your services. Everyone who gives you a hard time needs a boot up the arse - and I'm sure there would be plenty of volunteers to help you dish them out!

I'm feeling sorry for myself too - I've just had a revolting cup of soup and some jelly while my workmates are out enjoying lunch to celebrate the wrap-up of our contract. I can only eat soft foods following my jaw surgery and they couldn't guarantee the soup would be neither pumpkin nor something too thick for me to eat so I had to pass.

[Firefight]

have pmed you.

F/F

[madboy]

You're in one of those jobs that exposes you to society at it's worst. It's a thankless task, I imagine the money ain't that hot, the hours must suck and many of your clients are guaranteed to be scum. But someone needs to do it. And if you like doing it, I for one would prefer that someone of substance and quality like you did keep doing it!

But you shouldn't stay in a job you don't like. Don't make any decisions until you're back on an even keel though.

After your rant, do you feel better? Venting helps. Just steal some codiene... you'll be fine ;)

[Paul in NZ]

You know something....

We all have utterly crap days at the office! Yup, yours are a bit more up close and personal than most and if it's not for you (no excuse for it) then you should definately move on and lets face it, there has never been a better time to look for a new job!!

However, don't chuck it (if you love it) 'cos of a bad week...

Try sales for a few weeks. Looks easy but most vendors just treat you like crap ('cos they can) and abuse and steal from you.. It's a frigging shocker if you ain't used to it.

On the other hand, you meet some nice folks too and that makes it worthwhile.

Focus on the positive!!

Paul N

[Wolf]

Sorry to hear you've encountered so many shitheads recently. Was first on scene at an MVA and rendered first aid, felt disinclined to help the driver at fault - not because he was abusive or violent but because he was drunk and had fucked up one of his own passengers and a carload of innocent people. Rendered assistance to the prick anyway. Would have happily left him to die in the street if he had gotten violent or abusive. Too bad that's not an option for you.

Can understand that you're wondering why the fuck you're doing that job, it's hard work and you get to see some really unpleasant shit pretty much every day and if the bastards are hostile towards you, their rescuer, on top of that it'd get pretty nasty. Definitely thankless.

Hope you feel better soon.

[mstriumph]

:grouphug: chin up hun!

they do it because they are morons
------- now, each one of us has to deal with our share of morons during our daily stint BUT, fortunately for us, most of the ones WE meet are only stupid, not aggressive with it

unfortunately for you, the job you are in, in a crisis situation, you are gonna meet the other kind

i don't know where people get the courage to be on the front line ....... paramedics, police, ambos, firemen, rescue workers and the like .. all the unsung heros that most of the rest of us don't give a thought to until we need you ........ i don't know where they get the strength of character to carry on regardless in the face of abuse by those they serve and the apathy of the public at large ..............

if i'm honest, i'd have to say they are somehow better human beings than the rest of us ....... makes me uncomfortable, admitting that - probably the same with most of us ... that's why we don't say it too often.

................ except that, right now, just at this moment, it seems both necessary and appropriate to say it .........

oh - and a final word [although it seems almost laughably inadequate]... thankyou

[NC]

Look into doing some CQB with a dude called Tank.

Kick some fucken arse!

[Madmax]

does not matter what you do bad shit happens
Had a work mate fall on me won day (fishing trawler)f**ked up my c1 c2
He died, i went into the computer industry
then saw one freind cop a monitor in the head
(he lived)
In your job you will see a lot of this i think.
I have been the first on the spot of of a few accidents
some i do not want to remember,
but still do!

[cowpoos]

I feel like crap today with a headache, nausea and lower back pain.

sounds like the result of a night at jamie and sams?


it’s not just me that’s affected – poor WT is suffering too.

just lie on ya back...he dosn't take long

[phantom]

As someone who almost definitely owes my life to a couple of ambulance officers ( Maude and Jim I think they were ) it gives me the shits when I hear of the grief you guys go through. You guys are fantastic

[MSTRS]

Forget giving Tazers to cops...you guys do the trial. Sorry you have had a rough patch. It isn't always doom & gloom eh??:hug:

[Biohazard]

Not sure what to say tbh - im always left gob smacked when retards turn on thoose who are there to help and protect them.

I know it wont help - BUT over the past few years Paramedics/Ambulance Technicians in the UK have had to resort to using body armour (stab vests) to do there job, becoz of the increased risk. I can understand where the nightmares are coming from and the reasons of doubt that are now in your mind with regards to the future of you in your job. This unfortunately shows the culture that is currently being breed and let loose on our streets. I assume drink and drugs is more often or not the reason why wankers are just wankers !!!

All I can say is that there are far more people who admmire you guys, than there is wankers in this world...

Keep up the good work and dont let the wankers get ya down..

[slowpoke]

I'm feeling sorry for myself too - I've just had a revolting cup of soup and some jelly while my workmates are out enjoying lunch to celebrate the wrap-up of our contract. I can only eat soft foods following my jaw surgery and they couldn't guarantee the soup would be neither pumpkin nor something too thick for me to eat so I had to pass.

Sounds like the perfect opportunity to have a liquid lunch: order a "steak in a can" (beer) and before you know it the affternoon has flown by!!

[bobsmith]

Like you, I can't understand the mentality of people who attack ambulance officers, SPCA officers, police, fire officers, etc.

I agree that I just can't understand agression towards firefighters or ambulance officers... but SPCA officers and police???? first of all, SPCA officers should be lined up in a row and shot than cremated with animals and for the other group, I'm not even going to start. Both of the later groups are only there to cause you trouble and when you really need them, they're too busy hassling people who doesn't deserve it.

[Wolf]

Not sure what to say tbh - im always left gob smacked when retards turn on thoose who are there to help and protect them.

I know it wont help - BUT over the past few years Paramedics/Ambulance Technicians in the UK have had to resort to using body armour (stab vests) to do there job, becoz of the increased risk.
Add to the drunks in the streets the increased risk that a call out for medical assistance might be at a violent domestic or a P lab. If the Queen wants to do something useful with the Honours List she could start handing out knighthoods to anyone who actually joins the ambulance service instead of giving them to corrupt fucking politicians and greedy business men who do nothing but pillage the community.

[Colapop]

It's all been said but I'm supporting ya too!

I cannot understand why people want to have a go at those who are there to help?

[Scouse]

I agree that I just can't understand agression towards firefighters or ambulance officers... but SPCA officers and police???? first of all, SPCA officers should be lined up in a row and shot than cremated with animals and for the other group, I'm not even going to start. Both of the later groups are only there to cause you trouble and when you really need them, they're too busy hassling people who doesn't deserve it.Poor boy have you been geting hasseld by the SPCA for abusing Sheep and Cows ?

[bobsmith]

No but I've been hassled by them before for almost getting killed by fucking dogs. Usless bastards

[Squeak the Rat]

I apologise on behalf of all the dickheads out there.

On behalf of all the genuine people, thank you for what you do.

On behalf of all those suffering from schizophrenia, you're welcome.



Seriously though - that sucks. Either leave it to Karma or next time make sure he gets the reallly sore injection or test. (eg, you may have suffered eye trauma, I need to stick my fingers in both your eyes to check)

[bobsmith]

If you're taking his blood of something, you can forget to put his name on specs than when the test comes back with disclaimer or they ring you to ask you to label it, tell them that you can't be sure that it's his, and will just have to do it again.... and again.....

Lalala... no I don't work at a medlab.......

[Squeak the Rat]

After our 10/10 call it was 3 minutes before 7 cop cars showed up, farkin impressed.
Whoaaa, - are you saying that you guys respond to domestics without police presence? Or was it phoned in as an "accident"....?



PS - now there's a good use of pepper spray, although with 7 cop cars turning up I would have thought the good old rugby scrum would have been in order.

[slowpoke]

I agree that I just can't understand agression towards firefighters or ambulance officers... but SPCA officers and police???? first of all, SPCA officers should be lined up in a row and shot than cremated with animals and for the other group, I'm not even going to start. Both of the later groups are only there to cause you trouble and when you really need them, they're too busy hassling people who doesn't deserve it.

Sorry man, I gotta disagree here.
There is no career stream on earth that is set to weed out arseholes so you'll meet 'em in every walk of life. Cops and SPCA "officers" are no different so you are going to come across a few, no matter what. Having said that, they have got a thankless prick of a job to do and I take my hat off to anybody prepared to take it on.
I reckon I could handle these kinds of jobs for a day...maybe a week...after that....forgeddit!
We've gotta support Riff Raff and the rest of the cops, firemen, SPCA, ambo's etc and cut 'em a bit of slack when we don't get the response we'd like. These jobs are highly beauracratic nowadays and their options are often limited.
Sorry the vocal/violent minority have gotten to you Riff Raff ,but we the silent majority applaud you. Here's hoping I get to meet, you looking through the bottom of a beer glass, not a cracked helmet visor.

[Macktheknife]

PM sent, sorry to hear you got a bad one RR. hope you feel better soon.

[froggyfrenchman]

Sorry to hear about that Riff Raff. You ambos do a great job and like the police, fire and many other services, you have to work with some real bottom feeding scum. Also try to remember, most people arnt in the best frame of mind by the point they need youre help.

[Eyetie]

Sue it takes a special person to do what you do on a daily basis, I would hope that it continues to be only a very small minority of people that do not respect the benevolence and sacrifices that people like you make in your field. I know that most people you would help every day would be thankful and hope that you can try and focus on all those people rather than the few people who would make you reconsider your reasoning for doing your chosen field.

[yungatart]

Chin up, hun, we all have bad days - altho' maybe not as bad as yours - you are left wondering why you continue to put yourself thru'it, for what?
Just think of one situation where you saved someone's life and they, and their family are truly grateful for what yu have done. Try and get a bit of perspective on it and don't go making any decisions till you feel better!

[Kornholio]

Big ups to all the Ambo crews out there(yes even you Speedmedic :P )...I spose there will be times when you get idjits like that chap RR but I have been transported a few times by you guys and comforted when needed so hopefully all the positives outweigh the negatives and all our good vibes cheer you up and you feel better soon too :D

[sAsLEX]

This one started off innocently enough. Sometimes you can never tell.

Maybe you guys need tazers, surley inflicting a little harmless pain to some agumentitive prick/prickess would make your day seem better plus enable you to get out with out being injured! Plus your trained medically so if you go a bit far you know what to do!

[Paul in NZ]

I reckon there should be a seperate and more serious charge for assaulting a Ambo or Firefighter. Threats should be enough.

[DemonWolf]

Not good to hear.. hope you come right (headache + back). Perhaps learn some self-defence ?? or just kick the bugga in the nuts.

[ManDownUnder]

I reckon there should be a seperate and more serious charge for assaulting a Ambo or Firefighter. Threats should be enough.
Bloody good point!

Also - if you did/could kick him in the balls... wouldn't that be justifyable as defence of another? Hell - you're trying to help them get better... their actions are preventing/delaying you.

Issue the ambos' with mace spray them, push them out the door, shut the door and attnd to the patient.

Sorry to hear you met an idiot RR. Look after #1... restrict your fart output and WT might ewven get down to a foot massage for ya...

[Big Dave]

WALK.
Switched on bird like you will find a cool job in next to no time and you have WT to back you.

[crashe]

shit Riff Raff, that aint good to hear.

Take a few days to clear your head and to heal up again...


All you guys and gals on ambo's, fire and police do a grand job...


I even thanked the ambo's that took me to hospital after my accident...(4 months ago) even thou one of them lifted me from the wrong side to get me on the trolley and twisted my knee even more out of shape... and turned me over while I was still in the recovery position (as that was how I ended up on the road) and left me arm still there when I was turned onto my back, and never checked out my neck even thou they were informed that I landed on my head..... and even thou I wasn't strapped onto the trolley and when they went around the corner I just about rolled off the trolley.....


But hey they arrived to help me out and they listened to me when I said
"DON'T Cut my HD boots off me".

But I did keep thanking them real nice for helping me get to hospital, even after they came into the cubicle to help me remove my boots off in one piece.


Ambo's do have a hard enough job and they don't get everything right when they arrive at a job, but in saying that, they do, do a great job and it aint a job that I would want to do.


So thumbs up to you guys and gals.

[Scorpygirl]

Hi RR

Please keep you chin-up!!! Ambos do a great job indeed. Have had their assistance a couple of times and I was very, very grateful. :grouphug:

[Edbear]

Anything I could say would only be repeating most of the postings here! I have nothing but the highest regard for those like yourself! You don't do a "thankless" job as this thread clearly shows! Where would we be without the dedicated and selfless people who serve the community as you and your colleagues do!:first:

[justsomeguy]

Hey Guys,

Don't really know what to say S and J.......

Try and keep your chin up and keep the big picture in mind - which is we all greatly respect and admire both of you for different reasons and feel terrible that you face such situations. As has been said earlier I doubt some of us would have coped as well as you have done.

In the end it's your life and you only have so long to live it, so fill that time with something that makes you happy, if that means doing something else, then so be it. You know best.

Kind Regards,

JSG

[paturoa]

this may sound dumb at first - can you tell me about some of the things that you've done in your job, that you are proud of?

[paturoa]

how many beers did that cost u?

[2much]

I'm sorry to hear that R/R

I have alot of respect for you. The job you and the other ambos around the country have is one that I do not envy, In fact I would go so far as to say that I don't believe I would be capable of doing it.

I had the misfortune of being a customer of your colleagues' last week and witnessed first hand the pressure and stress that you guys (and girls) work under. I also notice that it is largely a thankless job, I sure wasn't in any condition to express my appreciation of their time and effort.

So thank you to all of you ambo's out there, I hope I never need your expertise again.

All the best in whatever decision you make R/R.

[Timber020]

Stay strong mate, we are all thankful that you do the job you do, and at least chicks dig guys in uniform.

[Da Bird]

Backed a brand new ambulance into a post outside the old ED bay at Auckland. Broke all the lights and smashed the fibreglass.

hahaha, would have loved to have been a fly on that wall (probably a squashed one).

"And what happened here Mr Medic?"

"The patient said "plenty of room" Sir."

[spudchucka]

Maybe I’ll feel better about my job in a day or so, but right now I’m feeling really emotional and wondering if I should be looking at a career change. And it’s not just me that’s affected – poor WT is suffering too.
Join the cops. People that try to whack me in the head tend to get sprayed and slammed in a cell. I wouldn't do your job for $$$$$$$$$$$$.

[spudchucka]

After our 10/10 call it was 3 minutes before 7 cop cars showed up, farkin impressed.
Then the fella had a go at one of the cops, so he was pepper sprayed.
Must be a different police service to the one bobsmith is referring to. Surely that couldn't happen, three minutes, seven cop cars, you're pulling our legs aren't ya? Are you sure it wasn't the SPCA that turned out to that job, the guy must have had some dogs that needed saving?

[Da Bird]

Some protection for the Ambo's would almost certainly help them feel safer and I wouldn't be against them carrying something. Having said that though, I'm sure if they wanted to carry weapons, they would have joined the police and not the ambulance service.
We (police) will always get to an ambo as quick as we can if they call for back up - just the same as another police unit calling for backup really but they are a lot more vulnerable to any violence dished out which is unfortunate.

[scumdog]

Join the cops. People that try to whack me in the head tend to get sprayed and slammed in a cell. I wouldn't do your job for $$$$$$$$$$$$.


I have to agree - and as I said in the PM, it's not like you guys are ever trying to do anything 'nasty' to them, what IS wrong with some people?

[Big Dave]

I have to agree - and as I said in the PM, it's not like you guys are ever trying to do anything 'nasty' to them, what IS wrong with some people?

Powdered drugs, alcohol and frighteningly low IQ's.

[Riff Raff]

Thanks everyone who has replied in here, PM'd me or tried to ring me. I'm feeling a bit better today after spending most of yesterday sleeping.

I guess one of the reasons I see more violence is due to the area I work in. So maybe it's time for a change of location. This job is the one I always wanted to do and I've put in a lot of hard work to get to where I am. I don't want to throw that away. And I have done a lot of good stuff and made a very real difference to people's lives - funny how one or two bad incidents can overshadow all that.

So at this stage I'm going to be in touch with my manager to see what alternatives there are for me and go from there.

Thanks again to everyone - you've all been very helpful.

[riffer]

Best of luck Riff Raff.

[Wolf]

I guess one of the reasons I see more violence is due to the area I work in. So maybe it's time for a change of location.
That would possibly work. Find some place where there are less violent morons.

Glad to hear you're feeling somewhat better.

[Wolf]

Course that means you would be working alongside me...
Downside to every job, eh. :devil2:

[Wolf]

I know she luffs me:love: .
Does WT know this?

[Biohazard]

Does WT know this?

Sssssssshhhh he'll never find out :sweatdrop

[Kornholio]

WT gets Luurvin.. :rockon:
I just have to imagine it.

What?...Imagine getting 'luurved' by White Trash???? :gob:

[Wellyman]

Hey RR. sorry to hear about your work problemos, There are more shits out their then good people and thats just life is the bad news.
Hope you find a better job and you can recover.
WM

[R6_kid]

Was going to suggest being an Airforce medic which is what my mate does and he absolutely loves it. However this means months of training that you've probably already done, most of which will be spent away from your beloved WT, however you will be getting extra pocket money when you are away from him.

Other benefits include cheap rental properties, cheaper movies, free gym and pool, stuff all travel time to get to work and best of all $2.50 Jugs and 80c shots at the bar!

[750Y]

bummer about the hassles RiffRaff. your life your choices, just be careful eh.

[avgas]

beat the crap out of them, blame the violence on me.
.....
.....
.....how dare they abuse the people that are trying to help them.......muther................got any names?????????????????