“Mentorship and Burnout: Passing the Torch Without Dropping It”

So, you’ve been in EMS long enough that your bunker gear smells like regret and coffee. You’ve mastered the art of napping in a chair that should’ve been condemned during the Reagan administration. You can start an IV in a moving ambulance, in the dark, with your non-dominant hand, while arguing with dispatch.

Congratulations — you’re now a mentor.

And yes, I know what you’re thinking: “Great, I can barely mentor myself through another shift without muttering in Morse code.” But here’s the thing — you are the very person these new paramedics need.

Because Burnout Makes You Wise

There’s a special kind of knowledge that only comes from years of running calls that start with “He’s been short of breath for a week…” and end with “…and now he’s coding in the bathroom.” You’ve seen the system’s strengths, its gaping weaknesses, and you’ve learned to keep your sarcasm mostly internal (well, at least until after the report’s signed).

The new guy? He’s eager, shiny, and still believes he’ll change the world. That enthusiasm will burn bright… until his first 24-hour shift with you. But your job as mentor isn’t to crush that optimism — it’s to shape it. Think of it like molding Play-Doh: you can’t control the color, but you can make sure it doesn’t stick to the ceiling fan.

How to Mentor While Burned Out (A Practical Guide)

1. Remember, They’re Watching You.

   Every sigh, eye-roll, and creative use of four-letter words is a masterclass in EMS culture. They’re learning not just how to treat patients — but how to survive this job. Model the good stuff: compassion, curiosity, and caffeine management.

2. Tell Stories — The Right Kind.

   There’s a difference between “Back in my day…” and “Here’s what I learned when things went sideways.” The first makes you sound like a fossil; the second makes you sound like Gandalf with a stethoscope.

3. Share Your Humanity.

   It’s okay to admit that you get tired, frustrated, or even cynical. It helps them see that burnout doesn’t mean failure — it means you’ve cared deeply for a long time. Then teach them how you climb out of that pit (hint: naps, laughter, and not checking work email on your days off).

4. Find Humor in the Chaos.

   When your student forgets to check the O₂ tank before a long transport — don’t just groan. Use it as a teachable moment, preferably with a side of good-natured ribbing. EMS humor is a survival mechanism, not a luxury.

The Payoff

Being a mentor doesn’t just help the rookie — it helps you. Watching someone else discover the same thrill you once felt when you nailed your first airway or handled your first tough call reminds you why you got into this gig in the first place.

Sure, burnout can dull your spark, but mentorship fans that ember back into something resembling passion (or at least mild interest).

So next time a new paramedic looks at you with those wide, terrified eyes and says, “Can you show me how you knew what to do back there?”, take a deep breath, sip your cold coffee, and smile.

Because somewhere between the sarcasm and the chaos, you’ve become what every EMS system needs most: a good mentor who still cares — even when tired, crispy, and fueled entirely by gas station burritos.

Summary / Action Plan:

• Be intentional: every eye-roll teaches something.

• Be real: share your struggles, not just your war stories.

• Be funny: laughter is cheaper than therapy.

• And remember — even burned-out candles still give light.