This is the first in a seires of book reviews that will be featured here at Jeramedic. And I thought what better choice then to start things off with a new and great E-book.
The Nonconformists Guide to EMS Success . By Steve Whitehead.
Steve is a Paramedic/Firefighter and EMS Educator. He has authored several articles for EMS Magazine, Advanced Rescue Technology and JEMS, and can often be heard on the EMS Garage and EMS educast pod cast’s .
The E-book is a first for Steve, but he writes and posts frequently on his website The EMT Spot .
The Nonconformists Guide to EMS Success could be considered a blue print to a foundation on which to build a rewarding and successful career. Or a renovation project on your current career, depending on where you stand.
The book revolves around three points. Growth, Leadership, and Connection. Steve believes that by focusing on these three elements. And having a clearly defined goal for yourself personally and professionally, that success is well within reach. Steve asks us to “Tear up the old social contract of conformity and move in the direction of what matters to you.”
And what does matter to you? For me what matters is to be happy of course. To feel that my work and effort really mean something. To be valued and respected. To be treated fairly and honestly. And to help make positive changes. Not just for my patients, but for my industry and for myself. But how do we achieve that? Where do we look?
“Your Leadership Doesn’t Have What You Need.” Steve explains that they are not responsible for your happiness and success. At least not in the ways you might believe.
That if you want something, Or feel that a change is needed then “stop waiting for permission.” There is no S.O.P that restricts you from having a conversation with the boss or finding fulfillment.
Steve goes into detail on these subjects and many others, and speaks from years of experience from being on both sides of the table. He also shows us an exercise for personal review and goal setting, and explains why we should be “Remarkable” and to “recognize that the value of your work is directly and irrevocably attached to the value of the patient being served”
My Thoughts.
I enjoyed this book very much. It delighted me to see that another professional held the same or similar values as I do about this career. This not to say that did not get anything out of it. far from it. There were many concepts and principles that were new and useful to me. I think a provider of any level and experience would find it to be a valuable resource. I also love how the information is presented. Not just in Steve’s writing, but also the format. As an E-book, it is easily obtained. If you can wait 30 seconds for it to download, it’s yours. Being that it comes as a PDF file makes it easy to store and transport amongst your devices of choice.
It is easily printed and can be shared with crew mates, or given as a hand out during a class. I’d go so far as to say that it should be required reading for EMT and Paramedic programs.
In my experience, I find myself to be very happy with my work and my contributions to the industry. And it shows. My colleagues would ask “how come things don’t bother you?” and “you’re always in a good mood, what’s with that?” I would try to explain and give advice, but talking about it at hospitals or between runs just doesn’t cut it. Just one read of Steve’s book could do more for a troubled EMT then five straight shifts of an in ambulance lecture ever could.
Normally when someone starts to offer up some “free advice”, you may find yourself more confused or upset then when you started. Steve and his book are the exception. And did I say FREE advice? Yes.The Nonconformists Guide to EMS Success is available for free download at his website.
I highly recommend that you download and read this book, and share it with your co-workers, with your class mates or your students. You’ll be glad you did.
****Coming up on Saturday the 30th. I’ll be posting an interview I had with Steve Whitehead. He’ll be talking about the book and it’s lessons, as well as what inspired him to change and find success in EMS.****
I just signed up to get the book. Thank you so much for this resource–I can’t wait to read it, and I look forward to your interview with Steve. How do you do all this stuff? Do you ever sleep? You are truly an inspiration.
Thank you Emily, Enjoy the book and spend some time at Steve’s site. He has ALOT of great content. He’s a very smart, and friendly guy who was part of my inspiration to start Jeramedic. It makes me very happy that you enjoy what I put up on here. And to answer your question “Do you ever sleep?” Yes, it’s been known to happen.