Returning to the industry
Hi ladies! I left the industry over three years ago. I've been working as a Paramedic since then. I'm really burned out, probably since I picked a terrible for-profit company to work for. I do enjoy parts of my job but I can't see myself doing it long-term because of the high probability of a permenant neck or back injury. On top of that I worked 50-60 hours a week for FY 2015 and my YTD was $41,000! 2014 and 2013 were even worse! I'm also afraid of getting into an accident while going lights/sirens. I've worked in some rough areas (Flint, Detroit) so I've seen some pretty traumatic stuff. All said and done though I'm proud of the people I've helped.
That said, I am currently about four months pregnant with baby #2. During my last pregnancy I made the decision to start dancing after I delivered. I started 6 months post partum. This time getting back in shape will be more rough since I'm older (mid 20's) and gaining too much weight already. With my last pregnancy I only gained 20 lbs, I've already gained 20 lbs so far! Before I got pregnant I was 124lbs but I'm concerned I'll gain 80-100 lbs when all is said and done. I really can't help myself, I've had debilitating food aversions and some nausea (which has subsided). Most of what I've been able to tolerate is sweets and carbs. Assuming my body isn't completely ruined I am considering dancing 1-2 nights a week depending how my hubby does financially with career changes in a few months. I wouldn't want to start dancing until this baby is around 6-months-old too which would be around this time next year.
Even before getting pregnant again I was completely out of shape. I've lost most of my upper body strength in spite of being required to lift fat patients as a Paramedic. I'm sure within a few months I'd regain my strength and ability to do pole tricks. How bad is the industry now? Particularly Detroit Metro? I used to work at Deja Vu Ypsilanti predominantly. I'd like to work elsewhere but don't want to work somewhere that requires a dance card. Has anyone else left the industry and returned after several years? I'm also worried I could be recognized from fellow Paramedics. I've thought of driving and working in Toledo since it's not too far from me and I'd more than likely not run into someone I know. I don't want to work in Detroit, period.
Re: Returning to the industry
Nice to see you on the site, I've found a lot of your past posts informative. I don't know about the metro Detroit area and good luck! I'm kind of retired. I don't dance nearly as often as I used to and I think I can relate.
You are absolutely right to be concerned about seeing people you know. Detroit seems large enough in terms of population size, but I don't know if its the kind of city one can easily get lost in (such as New York City). Since you're a paramedic and work with the public in general I'd say it puts you at a greater risk for running into someone you might know, patient or another paramedic or healthcare worker you come into contact with.
Whenever I do get out and dance, I do the same thing and just drive an hour away to the only decent club in my area. I make more money there and I completely avoid people who live in my current city. I did dance at one of the yokel clubs around me and I ran into all sorts of people I could potentially know, including a young cop who propositioned me with sex for money who (according to the card he gave me) often patrols a couple of streets over from where I live.
Re: Returning to the industry
My initial thoughts...
I remember you burned out HARD from dancing. And now you're similarly burned out on paramedic work. How long are you planning to dance if / once you return to the industry? Would this be a short-term stint until you go back to the paramedic world? Or are you going to use dancing as a bridge to another career path? Or will you be dancing as long as you can, with no firm plans for future career options?
Kind of hard-hitting questions, I know. Very practical. I'm just trying to get an idea of your goals and how you plan to use dancing this time around.
There is absolutely still money in dancing, but as is repeated ad nauseum, it all depends on your region, hustle, appearance, blah blah blah. It'll also depend on how fresh you feel stepping back into those waters after such an intense burnout. I left the industry for three years after burning out hard and am now happily dancing as my sole income (using it as a stepping stone while I get my master's). But I did a ton of work on myself in those three years, which helped immensely, and moved to an area with plenty of great club options, a stable economy, etc. So I can only speak for myself. I feel much, much healthier this time around, and I feel deeply thankful that dancing is an option at this time in my life. I work 1-2x/week, 5-hour shifts.
Re: Returning to the industry
Quote:
Originally Posted by
charlie61
My initial thoughts...
I remember you burned out HARD from dancing. And now you're similarly burned out on paramedic work. How long are you planning to dance if / once you return to the industry? Would this be a short-term stint until you go back to the paramedic world? Or are you going to use dancing as a bridge to another career path? Or will you be dancing as long as you can, with no firm plans for future career options?
Kind of hard-hitting questions, I know. Very practical. I'm just trying to get an idea of your goals and how you plan to use dancing this time around.
There is absolutely still money in dancing, but as is repeated ad nauseum, it all depends on your region, hustle, appearance, blah blah blah. It'll also depend on how fresh you feel stepping back into those waters after such an intense burnout. I left the industry for three years after burning out hard and am now happily dancing as my sole income (using it as a stepping stone while I get my master's). But I did a ton of work on myself in those three years, which helped immensely, and moved to an area with plenty of great club options, a stable economy, etc. So I can only speak for myself. I feel much, much healthier this time around, and I feel deeply thankful that dancing is an option at this time in my life. I work 1-2x/week, 5-hour shifts.
You are correct, I had a very hard burnout when I left the industry. I'm burned out from EMS not primarily because of patient care but because of the crappy company I work for (stuck there at least til I deliver) and also I have concerns about the long term implications on my back. I can count on one hand the number of Paramedics I know with 20+ years in the industry who can still work the road and are not drug addicts from pain. Everyone else was either forced into dispatch or left the industry. Not to mention the incidence of assaults on Paramedics in Detroit is on the rise.
If I returned to the industry I would likely just dance until my hubby was making enough to support us. His goal is to work at the same company as my Dad but he needs 6-12 months+ experience to get hired there and has none in the new field now. So a lot of it depends how quickly they hire him where my Dad works. My Dad's company easily starts new hires off at $70,000 with potential to make $85,000, $90,000, even a few guys top $100,000 with a lot of overtime. My Dad has been there over a decade. They have great benefits and also an impressive 401k match.
My initial reasoning for dancing would be helping with bills (if necessary) and if not, spending money, savings money, etc. My intention has been to return to school once the baby is 6 to 12-months-old. Hubby can transfer his remaining GI Bill benefits to me which will come with a tax free housing stipend of over $1000 a month.
To be honest, I'm not sure what I want to do in the future. I don't see EMS in my future because I know I can't retire in the field. Why waste 10 years doing something that will ruin my back and then try to get out? All of the veteran employees tell me to get out now before it's too late. I have some ideas for what I might go back to school for, but I'm not sure. If my hubby can succeed where my Dad works I might want to volunteer. If my unborn baby has a good temperament I would like to stay home until they go to kindergarten. I'm not saying I wouldn't strip or attend college or volunteer or maybe do contingent work, but be home during the days and not start a "career". If the new baby has Autism like my son I may be more eager to get back to work, only because of the high costs of caring for the disorder and how emotionally taxing it can be on me.
My plan would be to just work 1-2 nights a week like yourself. I wouldn't want to go back all in like before I left the industry. I have also thought of donating my eggs a few times (this can fetch $5,000-8,000 a cycle) to earn some quick cash while hubby is transitioning into the new field.
Re: Returning to the industry
I don't have time to respond fully right now, and I also don't want to patronize you. But research egg donation on SW before you consider going that route. There are some horror stories on here that will have you questioning the "quick cash" perception! I read the thread on egg donation with my legs crossed, my hand on my uterus, and this face: :ill:
:hug:
Re: Returning to the industry
Quote:
Originally Posted by
charlie61
I don't have time to respond fully right now, and I also don't want to patronize you. But research egg donation on SW before you consider going that route. There are some horror stories on here that will have you questioning the "quick cash" perception! I read the thread on egg donation with my legs crossed, my hand on my uterus, and this face: :ill:
:hug:
"Quick cash" was not an appropriate term. I should say, money that is substantial for the amount of time required. I am quite familiar with the process as I have researched it extensively. I am aware it requires extensive testing, several appointments, many self administered shots, staying on birth control, and then the retrieval procedure itself. I'm also available of the risks associated with donation. I just feel the compensation is worth trying at least one cycle, and that is if I'm even accepted for donation.
I will do a search on SW though to see other ladies' experiences first and foremost.