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Practical EMSAuthor: Practical EMS
My mission is to use the stories we all have in emergency medicine to encourage and uplift you where you are. EMT, Paramedic, nurse, PA, NP or physician. Emergency medicine is a very difficult specialty with unique challenges, and it calls us all to be better than the average person in order to stay healthy for our patients, our families and own mental wellness. I want to connect with EMS crews, fire crews, ER RN's, ER techs and new ER advanced practice providers to better understand their current struggles. I also want to bridge the gap between prehospital medicine and the emergency department and to encourage those seeking to become an advanced practice provider. Disclaimer: All Practical EMS content is opinion only. It is unaffiliated with any company or organization and does not represent any company or organization that Aaron currently works for or has worked for in the past. No content should be taken as medical advice. Language: en-us Genres: Education, Health & Fitness, Medicine Contact email: Get it Feed URL: Get it iTunes ID: Get it |
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119 | Emergency Standards | Leave work at work | Take care of yourself before you take care of others
Sunday, 14 September, 2025
Leave work on time•David’s story: a skilled, compassionate paramedic who deeply connected with patients, especially during psychiatric crises.oStruggled to separate work from life.oRelied on alcohol as a coping mechanism, which ultimately cost him his life.•Core lesson: In emergency medicine, you must leave work at work—emotionally and physically—otherwise burnout and unhealthy coping are inevitable.•Healthy separation:oBalance connection with patients while avoiding over-identification.oRemember: “It is not your emergency.”•Practical strategies to get off on time:oCheck labs/imaging in real time.oComplete charting as you go.oPlan handoffs 1–2 hours before end of shift.oControl what’s controllable—systems, shift crossover, advocate for better staffing.•Mental discipline:oSet down burdens from tragic or unjust cases (e.g., drunk drivers, preventable deaths).oFind something greater than yourself (faith, higher power, or another anchor) to release what you can’t control.•Work–life balance:oCreate a clear line between work and home (physical transition, dedicated space, or ritual).oAccept that some seasons demand more grind, but don’t let it become a lifestyle.oYour family will notice the time you miss more than your employer ever will.•Identity check:oYou are not your job title; resilience and character matter more.oOver-identifying with work justifies staying late and sacrificing home life.•Universal takeaway: No matter the field, burdens from work will bleed into family life unless you intentionally lay them down. Getting off on time = preserving resilience, family, and long-term health.Chapter 3: Take Care of Yourself Before You Take Care of Others•Past struggles:oPrioritized school and work over health.oPoor sleep, binge eating, energy drinks, inconsistent workouts.oLack of discipline → foggy brain, poor performance as a paramedic.•Core principle:oYou cannot care for others well if you neglect yourself.oIn EMS/ED, emergencies are unpredictable, but most patients are not crashing—there’s time to hydrate, eat, and reset.•Practical applications:oDrink water, eat proper nutrition, and rest before/during shifts.oPrioritize morning routines (hydration, exercise, food) → sets the tone for the day.oMeal prep to avoid cafeteria junk food and impulsive choices.oCreate habits that are accessible (water bottles, packed meals).•Mindset shift:oCaring for yourself Support the showEverything you hear today from myself and my guests is opinion only and doesn’t represent any organizations or companies that any of us are affiliated with. The stories you hear have been modified to protect patient privacy and any resemblance to real individuals is coincidental. This is for educational and entertainment purposes only and should not be taken as medical advice nor used to diagnose any medical or healthcare conditions. This is not medical advice. If you have personal health concerns, please seek professional care. Full show notes can be found here: Episodes - Practical EMS - Content for EMTs, PAs, ParamedicsMost efficient online EKG course here: Practical EKG Interpretation - Practical EMS earn 4 CME and learn the fundamentals through advanced EKG interpretation in under 4 hours. If you want to work on your nutrition, increase your energy, improve your physical and mental health, I highly recommend 1st Phorm. Check them out here so they know I sent you. 1st Phorm | The Foundation of High Performance Nutrition
