EPTLast August I had decided I would go to school and take the Primary Care Paramedic program. I applied, got accepted and now have graduated and am working as a fully certified, licensed Paramedic. I've been faced with a lot this year... they say when you take the course, it's necessary to have a good support system because of the stress that one is put through. The program is 2 years, condensed into 10 months. The pass mark is 80%, anyone who does not maintain an 80% is exited from the program. If you do not successfully complete your practical scenario testing, you are exited from the program. It's intense, but with good reason. I completely understand their reasoning.
I started off the year engaged, became unengaged and single, then eventually met the girl I am sure I was destined to be with for the rest of my life and am now, once again, engaged and happier than I ever have been in my entire life, ever thought possible. The situations I faced while going through the course were a very big weight on my shoulders, I was the type of person who was never stressed, never knew what stress was, and now I was stressed every day. I lost 50 lbs because I didn't feel like eating, or didn't think about it at all. My mind was a mess all while trying to study for our exams and do well..
I pulled it off, once I met my now soon to be wife (next summer), things started to go more smoothly. The fact I had someone to talk to was a huge relief. School really changed me, I use to be a night hawk, but I refused to be tired all day at school and vowed to myself I would go to bed early. Although I may not have always hit my desired time, I always was in bed before 1am. The halfway point came and gone, the midterm which if we failed, we were exited from the program, was passed with ease, same with the practical portion that goes with it. Things were getting into the home stretch, everything was so close to being done, yet seemed so far to go.
Finally, graduation came and went, the provincial licensing exam which 40% of the people who took it failed, was passed and I was called and hired on a tuesday, began work tuesday night. It wasn't until I began working that the change finally took place. The job had matured me, made me more humble, made me see things from different angles. I dont think, at least not around here, one realises the stress and the responsibility a Paramedic has. There is something about holding a 5 day old baby in your hands, doing CPR with your fingers, holding back tears, while not noticing the three police cars escorting you to the hospital, and the rest of the police who blocked off the bridge and major intersections en route to give us safe passage to the hospital.. it is something I will never forget..
I go to work everyday amazed and how willing people are to place their trust and life in our hands, how in their moments of need, they call us, and we are the ones who when all else fails, are relied on for knowing what to do... I remember writing my report realizing that in moments like that, it really makes all the minor differences people have with each other, all the petty things, seem so not worth it. I love my job, I love helping people and I love how it has changed me.
I apologise for ranting, and thank anyone who cared enough for reading. It was nice to get something of whats been going on in my life out, in some form. I hope everyone who made the community I enjoyed so much is well!
-LI
PS: Chill Einstein Terran still > you.
