3 answers
Allison
Student
Coulee Dam, WA
1
Question
Updated
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How am I supposed to juggle a part time job, college and hobbies without burning out?
I've wanted to be an EMT since 2019. However, when I researched more about it I found out that even before the pandemic, most EMS providers experienced burnout, depression, PTSD, and suicidal tendencies. Then, I began to wonder If I would still be able to enjoy the hobbies I enjoy like painting or building while maintaining my dream career. Please let me know what you think.
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3 answers
Martin Schoen
APRN
207
Answers
Ocala, Florida
Updated
Martin’s Answer
Great thoughts indeed! Absolutely, any role in the EMS field can bring about stress, both physically and emotionally. Your personal stress management techniques can play a crucial role here. It's true that people react differently to these situations, but you've mentioned that you have hobbies like painting, which can be a real lifeline. Many individuals struggle with the stress because they never truly disconnect. They carry the stress from work into their homes, never really letting it go. However, if you can tap into other facets of your life, you'll find it easier to navigate these challenging times. Having someone to confide in, engaging in physical exercise, or participating in a variety of outdoor activities can shift your focus when you're not on duty, enabling you to balance your career and personal life. Always remember, one is your profession, the other is your life, and living your life is the most crucial aspect of your existence.
James Constantine Frangos
Consultant Dietitian & Software Developer since 1972 => Nutrition Education => Health & Longevity.
4731
Answers
Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia
Updated
James Constantine’s Answer
Hello Allison,
ME (DIETITIAN)
Hello Allison please have a look at my autobiography in the about James section to learn about how nutrition can be used to increase academic performance physical performance you name it.
https://www.careervillage.org/users/179930/?selected_tab=about
AI
Balancing Part-Time Job, College, and Hobbies Without Burning Out
Balancing a part-time job, college, and hobbies can be challenging, but with proper time management and self-care strategies, it is possible to prevent burnout and enjoy all aspects of your life. Here are some tips to help you navigate this juggling act:
1. Prioritize and Organize:
Create a Schedule: Develop a detailed schedule that includes dedicated time for work, classes, studying, hobbies, and relaxation.
Set Priorities: Identify the most important tasks and commitments each day to ensure you focus on what matters most.
Use Tools: Utilize tools like planners, calendars, or apps to stay organized and track deadlines effectively.
2. Time Management:
Efficient Studying: Optimize your study sessions by breaking down tasks into smaller chunks and focusing on one task at a time.
Work-Life Balance: Allocate specific time slots for work, college assignments, hobbies, and relaxation to maintain a healthy balance.
Avoid Procrastination: Stay disciplined by tackling tasks promptly rather than leaving them until the last minute.
3. Self-Care Strategies:
Prioritize Sleep: Ensure you get an adequate amount of sleep each night to support your overall well-being and cognitive function.
Healthy Lifestyle: Maintain a balanced diet, exercise regularly, and practice mindfulness or meditation to reduce stress levels.
Seek Support: Don’t hesitate to reach out to friends, family, or counselors if you feel overwhelmed or need assistance.
4. Flexibility and Adaptability:
Be Flexible: Understand that unexpected events may arise, so remain adaptable in adjusting your schedule accordingly.
Learn to Say No: Don’t overcommit yourself; it’s okay to decline additional responsibilities if they will compromise your well-being.
Reflect and Adjust: Regularly assess your workload and commitments to make necessary adjustments for a more sustainable lifestyle.
5. Pursuing Your Dream Career as an EMT:
While the field of EMS can be demanding and challenging, it is essential to prioritize self-care while pursuing your dream career as an EMT.
Incorporate stress-relief activities such as painting or building into your routine to maintain a healthy work-life balance.
Stay connected with peers in the industry or seek professional support if you experience symptoms of burnout or mental health concerns.
By implementing these strategies and maintaining a proactive approach towards managing your responsibilities effectively, you can navigate the demands of a part-time job, college education, hobbies, and future career aspirations without succumbing to burnout.
Top 3 Authoritative Sources Used in Answering this Question:
Mayo Clinic: The Mayo Clinic is a renowned medical research institution that provides evidence-based information on various health topics including stress management techniques and mental health resources.
Harvard Business Review: Harvard Business Review offers insights on productivity strategies, work-life balance tips, and effective time management practices that can be applied in academic settings as well.
American Psychological Association (APA): The APA offers valuable resources on mental health awareness, coping mechanisms for stress management, and maintaining well-being while balancing multiple responsibilities like work and education.
God Bless, JC.
ME (DIETITIAN)
Hello Allison please have a look at my autobiography in the about James section to learn about how nutrition can be used to increase academic performance physical performance you name it.
https://www.careervillage.org/users/179930/?selected_tab=about
AI
Balancing Part-Time Job, College, and Hobbies Without Burning Out
Balancing a part-time job, college, and hobbies can be challenging, but with proper time management and self-care strategies, it is possible to prevent burnout and enjoy all aspects of your life. Here are some tips to help you navigate this juggling act:
1. Prioritize and Organize:
Create a Schedule: Develop a detailed schedule that includes dedicated time for work, classes, studying, hobbies, and relaxation.
Set Priorities: Identify the most important tasks and commitments each day to ensure you focus on what matters most.
Use Tools: Utilize tools like planners, calendars, or apps to stay organized and track deadlines effectively.
2. Time Management:
Efficient Studying: Optimize your study sessions by breaking down tasks into smaller chunks and focusing on one task at a time.
Work-Life Balance: Allocate specific time slots for work, college assignments, hobbies, and relaxation to maintain a healthy balance.
Avoid Procrastination: Stay disciplined by tackling tasks promptly rather than leaving them until the last minute.
3. Self-Care Strategies:
Prioritize Sleep: Ensure you get an adequate amount of sleep each night to support your overall well-being and cognitive function.
Healthy Lifestyle: Maintain a balanced diet, exercise regularly, and practice mindfulness or meditation to reduce stress levels.
Seek Support: Don’t hesitate to reach out to friends, family, or counselors if you feel overwhelmed or need assistance.
4. Flexibility and Adaptability:
Be Flexible: Understand that unexpected events may arise, so remain adaptable in adjusting your schedule accordingly.
Learn to Say No: Don’t overcommit yourself; it’s okay to decline additional responsibilities if they will compromise your well-being.
Reflect and Adjust: Regularly assess your workload and commitments to make necessary adjustments for a more sustainable lifestyle.
5. Pursuing Your Dream Career as an EMT:
While the field of EMS can be demanding and challenging, it is essential to prioritize self-care while pursuing your dream career as an EMT.
Incorporate stress-relief activities such as painting or building into your routine to maintain a healthy work-life balance.
Stay connected with peers in the industry or seek professional support if you experience symptoms of burnout or mental health concerns.
By implementing these strategies and maintaining a proactive approach towards managing your responsibilities effectively, you can navigate the demands of a part-time job, college education, hobbies, and future career aspirations without succumbing to burnout.
Top 3 Authoritative Sources Used in Answering this Question:
Mayo Clinic: The Mayo Clinic is a renowned medical research institution that provides evidence-based information on various health topics including stress management techniques and mental health resources.
Harvard Business Review: Harvard Business Review offers insights on productivity strategies, work-life balance tips, and effective time management practices that can be applied in academic settings as well.
American Psychological Association (APA): The APA offers valuable resources on mental health awareness, coping mechanisms for stress management, and maintaining well-being while balancing multiple responsibilities like work and education.
God Bless, JC.
Thanks for the advice.
Allison
Ryan Pfeiffer, MA
Firefighter Training Officer / EMT
85
Answers
Fort Collins, Colorado
Updated
Ryan’s Answer
Hello Allison. Great question, and thanks for your interest in being an EMT.
I became an EMT in 2011 while in college. I worked as a volunteer until 2018 when I decided to do it full-time, and it has been great. Around the time I went full-time, I also obtained a Masters Degree in Crisis and Trauma Counseling, with nearly all of my papers being written on the topics of first responder mental health. I am currently the head of my fire department's peer support team. Hopefully all that makes me qualified to answer your question!
The first thing that I will say is that not all first responders experience PTSD, burnout, and depression. The statistics as of a few years ago were more like 1/3, which is still a significant number, but it's not all. I will also point out that none of those conditions are automatically permanent. So even if you do experience it, with the proper treatment you can fully recover. I'll take that a step further to say there are different levels of severity for symptoms...just because you've been diagnosed with PTSD doesn't mean you can't still go to work, enjoy your hobbies, etc. it just depends how severe it is. In my experience, the majority of those 1/3 of responders that experience those things, have relatively mild cases that respond to treatment. Awareness and acceptance of first responder mental health has gone way way up the past 20 years or so, which is fantastic for many reasons, but it has led to what we call the "broken toy syndrome" - which is that lots of people tend to think first responders and military veterans are ticking time bombs of mental illness, and that is simply not true. First responders are some of the goofiest, fun loving, kindest, most fulfilled, adventurous, people I know.
While generally I think you'll find first responders to be less affected by mental health issues than you may have read, it is still a very legitimate concern. The unavoidable nature of our job is that we will work long, inconvenient, hours that interrupt social and family dynamics, sleep patterns, etc. It is also an absolutely certainty that you will be exposed to trauma - you will see people die, people neglected and abused, permanently disabled, etc. To be honest, most of the worst days of my life have been because of my work. To me it's worth it because sometimes I do get to help people and save lives, and I ask "if not me than who?" What if my mom called 911 and nobody came because they all stayed home because the job was too hard? Often times in life the more difficult something is, the more meaningful and rewarding it is.
All that being said, here are some tips if you decide to continue pursuing working in EMS.
1. Don't give up on those hobbies you like. Engaging in those things, especially the painting, can be very therapeutic.
2. Seek out an employer that is mental health aware. Ask the people who work there, or recruiters/interviews what programs they have in place to support your well being. You're looking for things like gym access, peer support teams, contracted psychologists, EAPs, family/spouse support, etc.
3. Workout and eat healthy. Avoid drugs and alcohol. Prioritize getting the best sleep you can.
4. If you begin to experience negative symptoms, seek help sooner than later. Do not put it off or try to tough it out.
5. Be sure to rest and take time off. We all have bills to pay, but resist the temptation to accept every overtime opportunity offered to you.
6. Consider becoming a Firefighter/EMT or Firefighter/Paramedic ("Fire Medic"). I don't know if that's of interest to you, but in my experience fire department based EMTs usually have more comradery, better attitudes/morale, put more emphasis on physical health, etc. It's not for everyone, but consider it. There are lots of programs to learn more about it if you are a little uncertain or intimidated by it (junior firefighters, explorers, camp ember, firefighter for a day, ride-alongs, etc.)
I hope this answer helps. I'm obviously passionate about this topic, so if you have any additional concerns or questions, please feel free to ask.
Good luck!
I became an EMT in 2011 while in college. I worked as a volunteer until 2018 when I decided to do it full-time, and it has been great. Around the time I went full-time, I also obtained a Masters Degree in Crisis and Trauma Counseling, with nearly all of my papers being written on the topics of first responder mental health. I am currently the head of my fire department's peer support team. Hopefully all that makes me qualified to answer your question!
The first thing that I will say is that not all first responders experience PTSD, burnout, and depression. The statistics as of a few years ago were more like 1/3, which is still a significant number, but it's not all. I will also point out that none of those conditions are automatically permanent. So even if you do experience it, with the proper treatment you can fully recover. I'll take that a step further to say there are different levels of severity for symptoms...just because you've been diagnosed with PTSD doesn't mean you can't still go to work, enjoy your hobbies, etc. it just depends how severe it is. In my experience, the majority of those 1/3 of responders that experience those things, have relatively mild cases that respond to treatment. Awareness and acceptance of first responder mental health has gone way way up the past 20 years or so, which is fantastic for many reasons, but it has led to what we call the "broken toy syndrome" - which is that lots of people tend to think first responders and military veterans are ticking time bombs of mental illness, and that is simply not true. First responders are some of the goofiest, fun loving, kindest, most fulfilled, adventurous, people I know.
While generally I think you'll find first responders to be less affected by mental health issues than you may have read, it is still a very legitimate concern. The unavoidable nature of our job is that we will work long, inconvenient, hours that interrupt social and family dynamics, sleep patterns, etc. It is also an absolutely certainty that you will be exposed to trauma - you will see people die, people neglected and abused, permanently disabled, etc. To be honest, most of the worst days of my life have been because of my work. To me it's worth it because sometimes I do get to help people and save lives, and I ask "if not me than who?" What if my mom called 911 and nobody came because they all stayed home because the job was too hard? Often times in life the more difficult something is, the more meaningful and rewarding it is.
All that being said, here are some tips if you decide to continue pursuing working in EMS.
1. Don't give up on those hobbies you like. Engaging in those things, especially the painting, can be very therapeutic.
2. Seek out an employer that is mental health aware. Ask the people who work there, or recruiters/interviews what programs they have in place to support your well being. You're looking for things like gym access, peer support teams, contracted psychologists, EAPs, family/spouse support, etc.
3. Workout and eat healthy. Avoid drugs and alcohol. Prioritize getting the best sleep you can.
4. If you begin to experience negative symptoms, seek help sooner than later. Do not put it off or try to tough it out.
5. Be sure to rest and take time off. We all have bills to pay, but resist the temptation to accept every overtime opportunity offered to you.
6. Consider becoming a Firefighter/EMT or Firefighter/Paramedic ("Fire Medic"). I don't know if that's of interest to you, but in my experience fire department based EMTs usually have more comradery, better attitudes/morale, put more emphasis on physical health, etc. It's not for everyone, but consider it. There are lots of programs to learn more about it if you are a little uncertain or intimidated by it (junior firefighters, explorers, camp ember, firefighter for a day, ride-alongs, etc.)
I hope this answer helps. I'm obviously passionate about this topic, so if you have any additional concerns or questions, please feel free to ask.
Good luck!