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

[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]

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:Me]

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

[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!!