I’ve got some hard-earned wisdom to share. Over the years, I’ve learned a thing or two about what keeps us going in this wild world of EMS and nursing. So grab your lukewarm coffee, dodge that pile of charting, and let me drop seven lessons that’ll hit you right in the feels, and maybe make you chuckle.
- Raw Talent? It’s Just the Warm-Up Act
We’ve all met that newbie who’s a natural, nailing IVs like they’re threading a needle in a hurricane. But talent alone? It’s like a fancy rig with no gas. I’ve seen gifted folks flame out because they didn’t put in the work. In our game, it’s the grind —studying protocols at 3 a.m., practicing your splints, and showing up ready —that turns potential into heroics. So don’t rest on your skills. Hustle like you’re the underdog, and you’ll outshine the naturals every time. - Find Your Fire and Fan It
You know what gets me through a 16-hour shift with no pee break? Passion. Not the mushy rom-com kind, but the deep-down love for what we do. Whether it’s calming a scared kid or cracking a trauma case, find what lights you up and chase it like it’s a Code 3. When you’re stoked about your work, the tough stuff —blood, sweat, and endless paperwork —feels like part of the adventure. Let that fire fuel you, and you’ll keep burning bright. - Stick Like Velcro, No Matter What
This job’s a marathon, not a sprint, and it’ll test your soul. Bad calls, brutal shifts, moments you want to chuck your radio into the abyss, we’ve all been there. But the ones who make it? They’re the ones who keep showing up, even when it’s messy. I’ve had nights where I questioned everything, but digging in and pushing forward is what separates the gritty from the quitters. Next time you’re beat, take a breath, and stick to it. Your patients are counting on you. - Practice Like It’s the Real Deal
You don’t get good by winging it. It’s about developing drilling skills until they become muscle memory, such as intubating a manikin or running a mock code. But here’s the kicker: you gotta crave feedback. Early on, I dreaded debriefs, but now I beg my crew chief to roast me. “Tell me how I screwed up that handoff!” Practice with purpose, soak up the critiques, and you’ll go from “decent” to “damn, they’re good.” It’s how we save lives when the pressure’s on. - Grow Like a Weed in a Sidewalk Crack
Mistakes? They’re not the end; they’re your teachers. Miss a vein? Flub a med dose? Don’t spiral, learn. This job’s too big to think you’ve got it all figured out. I once botched a trauma assessment and felt like a failure, but my partner said, “Fix it next time.” That mindset, believing you can grow with effort, keeps you sharp and sane. Embrace the mistakes, laugh them off, and keep improving. You’re tougher than you think. - Be the Wind Beneath Someone’s Wings
We’re not just saving lives; we’re shaping the next wave of EMS and nurses. That probie watching you handle a cardiac arrest? That student nurse trailing you? Your grit’s contagious. Cheer them on, share your tricks, and show them how to bounce back from a rough call. I love hyping up newbies, telling them, “You got this!” when they’re shaky. You’re not just a coworker, you’re a grit mentor, building the badasses who’ll carry the torch. - Purpose Is Your Secret Sauce
Why do we do this crazy job? It’s not the paycheck or the glamour (ha!). It’s the purpose, the kid you brought back, the family you held together, the difference you made. That’s the juice that keeps you going when the world’s falling apart. Keep your “why” close, a patient’s smile, a save you’ll never forget, and let it power you through the chaos. When your work matters more, every shift feels like a victory.
There you go, my EMS and nursing family. These lessons aren’t fancy, just real talk from a paramedic who’s been through the wringer. Let’s keep showing up, staying gritty, and saving lives with a laugh or two along the way. Now crush your next shift and sneak in a nap.
Stay safe out there,
Your Humble, Slightly Caffeinated Paramedic