Any suggestions? Thanks

Hi everyone,

I'm looking for any help or suggestions about what I should do about my future. I really want to become a paramedic, but it's the driving that is putting me off. I have had 6 months of manual driving lessons and discovered I really hate driving, especially at speed. The thought of driving ambulances at even faster speeds makes me doubt my future as a paramedic. So are there any similar careers to a paramedic but without the driving element?

Thanks for reading

I know it’s highly competitive, but have you considered medicine?

If you want to have the role of a paramedic, you need to be a paramedic. There are lots of roles in healthcare but none will allow you to do the same job as a paramedic. What exactly is it about the role of a paramedic that appeals to you?

Nursing and Medicine are the obvious choices, but both will involve lengthy training on wards which may not appeal if you want to work in the community. Similarly you can specialise in a fast-paced environment such as A&E or acute assessment, but you would have long placements in long-term care too.

Thank you for your help, I like everything about being a paramedic (except the driving). I would enjoy the variety, working outdoors, being the first person on scene, etc. Working in A&E is an option for me, but I would prefer to work outdoors.

Honestly, there aren't many options for you if you want to be out and about but don't want to drive. Community nursing would require you to drive, as would community crisis team nursing. Some inner city community nursing jobs don't require driving but they are few and far between, and it would not be emergency care (more routine dressing changes, catheter care, wound care etc.). There are first responder jobs but again, they would require you to drive.

If this is really the career you want to pursue, it may be worth working on the driving side, rather than ending up in a career that would not give you any job satisfaction. It may be expensive, but a good driving instructor could help you to build your confidence.

Thank you, I'll look into driving instructors and try again