Your paragraph: “He’s in nursing school right now so I get to listen to him yammer on about how nurses are the greatest thing in all of medicine. Yeah, I know what you’re thinking, he’s not even out of school yet and he’s learning how to be patronizing to us EMS folk.”.

I had a son-in-law who had a similar opinion of Paramedics (me) when he was going through nursing school. His opinion changed within his first year of working. I learned this at our family Christmas gathering when his very proud mother commented that if anything happened to any of us, he would be able to save their lives. He looked at her and said “well actually, Mom, Beth will save your lives because I have to get orders from a doctor in order to practice medicine! He wasn’t an ER nurse who has standing orders, but a critical care nurse at a pediatric hospital. Your brother will come around, maybe!

In my EMT-B class I was lucky enough to forge some brother like friendships that I think will last a lifetime. We thrust ourselves into the class even after we got the “some of you may not live to see the end” speech the head, head instructor gave us. I for one knew I couldn’t do the class alone. So I begin to wade through the faces in the crowd having small conversations here and there hoping to find a few kids that will play nice enough to get through the course in one piece. Along the way I found:

Epi, Epi is a nickname this bright young man got during class. That’s a story that would take too long to explain. He’s a super good kid that over the months since graduation has turned into a little brother figure in my life. He helped me through several tough spots through the class and along with others we spent many late hours in my living room practicing skills and reviewing for tests. I’ve also spent many hours listening to his “girlfriend issues” and the plans he has made to further himself in his career.

Miller, The White Miller to be exact (another long story). He’s a ladies man surfer dude that again spent hours studying and practicing skills. He too has girl issues that we have spent time hashing out and I was honored to be there for him. We have since taken other classes together since graduating EMT school and still talk on a regular basis.

Then there were others like TJ, Bill, Shagy, Joiner, Joren, Gillespie, Yuki, Stoch, Lorraine, Joe and Jim. We all pushed and pulled, laughed and cried together to achieve our first EMS goal. Some of us made it to the end others didn’t but we all made a pact (unspoken) but a pact none the less to do what was needed to help each other make it through alive.

Another set of kids was key was the instructors and other professionals that invested in me and guided me on my quest. Through my life I have found it wise to have friends and mentors in all stages of life. From guys life Epi who are fresh out of high school to the men that have completed there careers and are now watching as the new generation carries the torch. A HUGE person in this process is a very dear friend Tommy. He and I met years ago playing music at our church, we share a love for the outdoors, sports and now EMS. He is a SAMS officer with one of the big departments in the metro area and after I lost my job with the oil company said “come ride with me and the boys at station 7′s”. Little did I know I was about to get my first hit of the EMS drug. Tommy and Matt and the other guys spent time studying with me and coaching me through scenarios. Many a cup of coffee was consumed at the Village Inn and on the phone prepping for tests.

Another well marinated paramedic I met about halfway through my class. I found we went to the same church and guess I even sold him a Christmas tree at lot I managed for a season. He had a different air to his ways, a wise ass with an above average grasp of communicating with students. It was very clear that he was there to teach. This is part of who he is and his lectures were a way to express the love he has for his profession. For a cup of coffee (without salt) he would carve some time for you to explain whatever stumped you; careful to explain things so you understood it even if a toilet analogy was necessary to clear the fog of a topic. He speaks to you as peer not just the next kid to abuse during your next practical exam. He wears his 20 some odd years of experience not as battle scars but as a journal of lessons to be shared. He challenges us to think not as medical folk but as PEOPLE with medical training and would NOT stand for us performing half assed.

Thanks brau!

I think many of the younger generation look past the value of mentors, a person that has the experience, wisdom and willingness to speak into the life of a newbie CAN NOT BE UNDER VALUED! Find a medic with some years on the bus; pick his brain for an hour over coffee. Listen to him, see what you can learn. That relationship could bare fruit for you both for many years.

This is a very hard profession we love. We never get called on a person’s best day. The things we see at times can’t be made up and they will take there toll on a person and the ones they love. But having a group that will support you, push you, pick you up and teach you is a must. Without it I will fail.

My group is my brotherhood