Working in the field is nothing like working in a hospital. 

I remember being told that over and over again as I trained for my EMT certification. I honestly took for granted my ideas of medicine, conceived in the ideals of doctors, nurses, and poorly written TV dramas. It was when I worked my first shift that I realized EMS was a totally different part of the medical field. There are no charts, no well made beds, and every single situation has a multitude of variables. Patients are in a potentially hazardous environment, oftentimes experiencing some of their worst moments in their lives. I have been yelled at, cursed at, mocked, and threatened by those whom I'm trying to help, giving my time and energy freely for. And yet, I wouldn't trade the experiences I've had for anything else.

I have been an EMT since I was 16 years old, giving me plenty of time to gain experience and learn the profession. All of my work, many hundreds of hours, is volunteer. It's one of the many ways I try to give back to the community, and it is unique in that I am thrust into situations where treatment can be both as simple as providing oxygen therapy and transport or as delicate as speaking with a recently resuscitated and very hostile heroin overdose patient. I've treated patients on the brink of death and have had some lose their lives or their ability to function. I would never say that the path to becoming an EMT and working with Emergency Medical Services is easy, but to simply love people in their times of need and desperation is more precious than the struggles of working in this field. Quite simply, I am in love with medicine and I am grateful for the opportunity to help when others might not be able. It's why I still volunteer 12 hours per week and will continue to do so as long as I can.