Mixed Blessings

After months of begging, pleading, and documenting the shortcomings and failures of my paramedic partner, she FINALLY has been told that her standing orders have been pulled and she can no longer function as a paramedic by herself. She is back on probation and will be evaluated by the Lieutenant starting next shift.

I guess I should maybe give a little background info so y'all won't think I'm just a terrible person for being happy.

She's a new medic--had her license just over a year. She and I have been partners for about 6 months, but not by choice. We were forced to work together because no one else wanted to work with her. I promised myself that I would try to help her and I really and truly did. I tried---even though I didn't want to. I told myself that if she failed as a medic here it wouldn't be because I didn't try to help her. Apparently, I tried too hard because I wound up holding her hand and making up for her shortcomings. I made sure she didn't kill anyone and patiently answered all her questions.

Until she got a major attitude and didn't want help anymore. So I quit. Why should I waste my time and energy on someone who doesn't want or appreciate it? Screw that! I've got better things to do with my down time at the hall. Like sleeping or sleeping.....Then she started complaining about MY attitude....

Let's be perfectly clear, I'm not a saint in all this. I've rolled my eyes at her, I've talked bad about her (to the Captains only, though), I've gotten frustrated with her, and yes, I've been rude to her. BUT, I've never done any of that in front of a patient, family members, fire fighters, or other responders. That's so unprofessional that I can't even describe it.

A friend of mine passed away this summer after a courageous fight with melanoma. While I was out of state attending her memorial services, my partner took it upon her self to email several of the administrators and make terrible accusations about myself and our captain. The past three months have been pure HELL. I've barely spoken to her unless it directly relates to patient care and I was told to not do anything with her patients unless she was about to harm them. I've been pretty close to quitting my job due to the hostile work environment that she has created here with her behavior and her attitude.

So today, finally the first step was taken to terminating her. She'll be evaluated until either she passes muster or it's determined that she just can't be up to par. Nonetheless, I am no longer responsible for her actions or inactions....She is currently someone else's problem....And I anticipate that she won't make it which means that I'll never have to work with her again!

Those that have followed this for the past several months will truly understand how I feel and know that I'm not being just mean spirited. If you don't know me, then I'm sorry if you think I'm just being mean and cruel.

Keep checking back for the updated drama.....The next installment of "As the Light Bar Turns"