It's a toughie.
In previous blogs I have explained why this job to put it lightly can be an incredible
2-3 years in a good ER (Like a real hoppin' level one or a remote rural level two) can bring you a wealth of experience that can propel you into most any job in the medical field. You'll have a high degree of bedside skills and will be able to work with a wide variety of people.
Fact is give it a whirl for six months to a year then if you like it start getting pre-reqs knocked out for whatever medical field degree you wish to have. BELIEVE me when I say if you tell folks you are knocking out pre-reqs for anything in medicine folks will do their best to guide you and help you out. At least the ones worth a shit.
In the end (pun intended) it's a job. Do not come into this job thinking that you are going to save lives every damn day and it's all glory. You won't deliver babies all the damn time and cardioverting someone in triage or waiting room happens only once in a very very rare while. Good trauma happens but it can be very hit or miss.
It ain't even close.
There is no glory when you are doing your ump-teenth code brown of the night for that c. diff patient with MRSA. There is no glory in getting racial epithets hurled at you at any given moment. There is no glory in working a LONG 12 hour shift overnight and then getting horrible code or violent patient right before the next shift comes on. There is no glory putting a six year old in a body bag after they drowned. There is no glory trying to find beds for patients who come in via ambulance even though you're suppose to be on divert (again). There is no glory in getting run into the ground because the other techs are unavailable, hiding or a nurse (or anyone else for that matter) is being a horrific asshole.
I have to confess that I have seen the job break several folks over the years and I freely admit I have had similar moments myself. Now don't worry I ain't going to dump my emotional purse out all over the counter for all to see. But if you're in this job there are other pit falls that you need to expect. Stress and strain are magnificent monsters.
But there are rewards too.
Calling a family after their elderly parent has been missing for days and hearing the relief in their voice. Learning and seeing critical bedside thinking come to fruition as a team and helping save a life. My personal fave is camaraderie after work drinking breakfasts after a tough night. I have made some incredible life long friends all over the country in the job.
In the end it's a JOB. Like all jobs in it's worst hours it sucks. In it's best times it's fantastic. I cannot give you a yes or no to that question but I will say when I sit back and think on it that I can certainly say as of TODAY after over 10 years as an ER Tech that the pros outweigh the cons by a tiny bit. But only by the thinnest of margins.
Have a plan go forward and prepare yourself cause getting the job is easy, staying in the job is the hard part.
Seriously consider being an assistant manager at subway. I heard it pays better at least.
