My Passion: Training to be an EMT

“The courage of exploring myself was nothing compared to the courage of actually doing the EMT course, ... As a writer, the concept of self-revelation is not new. The problem was getting through the depression and anxiety and doing something unheard of for me: becoming an EMT. Writing about self-revelation is gravy.” - Michael Stern

 

I only really decided to pursue becoming a Flight Paramedic/PA/Wilderness Medic a year ago. Thinking about it, sure. I always had, but I'm acting on it now. I'm at Eastern Kentucky University, an Emergency Medical Care Major (Paramedic/Science Bachelor's Degree) and currently only a couple of months away from getting my first certification; the basic EMT Certification. 

 

This class is one of the hardest things I've ever had to do. I have to constantly stay in my book (every day, every night before bed) or I'll fall behind and like a sick Discovery documentary, be devoured by the gruesome skills tests and module exams. Not only do you have to memorize e-v-e-r-y-t-h-i-n-g; you have to think on it. You have to act on it. Make calls that don't get your patients killed. 

 

"Remember, we save our patients; we do not kill them." 

 

I can't tell you how many times my instructor has cadenced this over the semester. Not only do you need to know the medicine, you need to know the medicine. What counteracts it? What contradicts it? Will it kill your patient? How fast does it start working? Will it be effective in this time frame? Can you give a patient on blood thinners Nitro? Does your patient have an allergy to this medication? 

Which leads me into...your patient. 

You have to communicate with them. Get their history. Get their name. Age. SAMPLE. OPQRST. Events leading up to your call. Family. Is your patient stressed? Lost their job recently? Deep in debt? A passed love one? What is their mental status? Are they suicidal? Could they become so? Have violent tendencies? A smoker? A drinker? 

Then you have skills to learn. Not only do you have head-knowledge. You have hands-on knowledge. Skills to check off on. Skills your Instructor or their assistants have to check you off on. You have to keep in practice with this skills or you will loose them. I have to constantly re-check myself on my blood-pressure cuff. I think I have bad-hearing as it is, and it's hard to hear that pulse, even with a stethoscope. (Which, I may need to go get my hearing re-checked.) 

 

 

 (No, That is NOT a legit-skills-assessment sheet. I wish it was.)

 

Though this is the hardest thing I've done...I love all of it. It's worth it. I'm going to have a job (God-willing) that I love. 

 

" Your work is going to fill a large part of your life, and the only way to be truly satisfied is to do what you believe is great work. And the only way to do great work is to love what you do. If you haven't found it yet, keep looking. Don't settle. As with all matters of the heart, you'll know when you find it. And, like any great relationship, it just gets better and better as the years roll on."

-Steve Jobs

 

I'm going to be partaking in my first ambulance shift this Monday as part of my class. Before the end of the semester I have to get 10 patient contacts and log in 24 hours of time. I have been given three dates to do this on and if I need additional days I can get them. The team that's hosting me is only about 20 minutes away, so it's not bad at all. 

I'm really excited! I honestly can't wait! 

 

Hope you all enjoyed this! I just wanted to give you all a better look into my schooling and my passion ;)

Have a blessed day! 

 

Sarah