Taking That Leap

I have finally got on with an agency in my area as an EMT Reserve. This is like a fresh breath of air for me knowing I finally have a foot in the door. It’s been quite a process though filling out the application and collecting all the forms I needed before I could submit it. I waited about a month before I heard back from anyone.

                It was on a Saturday afternoon and I was on my way to go shopping when the phone rang. It was them calling to schedule a time I could come in and interview. I kept my professional composer on the phone but inside I was jumping and screaming for joy!

                Long story short, I interviewed, did a brief skills assessment, and took a 100 question written exam. I did well on each area and a week later was offered the opportunity to become an EMT Reserve.

                It’s been about 2 months now. I’ve gotten up to date on all required immunizations, TB tests, read the required volunteer handbook that I thought would never end and finally received my badge! All I have to do now is sign up for rides….this is the leap I am almost afraid of taking.

                I am so excited to get started but the shock of “Wow this is my career now. It’s actually becoming a reality and I’m actually titled as a professional EMT now.” That’s difficult for me to get used to for some reason, it seems so unreal. I know I’m ready but starting something so new is always difficult for me. The fear of “what if I screw this up?” is heavy in my mind. This feeling takes me back to the first day of EMT school when I felt overwhelmed and almost walked away before it even began. I didn’t walk away then and I’m not walking away now. I just have to take that leap and have faith in myself to do this and to do it well.

Big News!

Recently I have been busy studying, well continuing to study, my EMT skills and overall knowledge because....I have an interview with my area's Paramedic Service and am working on beginning my career!

Interview is Oct. 14th 2011 at 0800!

More to come about that process. I will also offer you tips for interviewing for your first EMS agency and some words of advice once I finish my interview that way I will know a little bit more about that.

Just some advice....

1. Learn the talk to walk the walk....When telling your EMT instructor about your patient you encountered on your ride along who was sweating profusly....don't say "my patient was really sweaty!" do say "my patient was diaphoretic." Learn your terms.

2. Make flash cards for terms and diagrams and STUDY THEM!

3. Practice your skills on anyone willing to let you torture them. Take vitals, role play scenarios, learn creative ways to splint bones, and practice often.

4. Blood goes round and round, air goes in and out...anything but is not good.

5. Wear gloves on ALL patient contacts, even in class while practicing. Get used to wearing them, it should become a habit putting them on.

6. Don't feel silly role playing in class. The ones who stand around are the ones who look out of place.

7. Pretend EMT school IS your job. Show great work ethic by showing up on time, don't miss days and turn in work early/on-time. Your instructor(s) may be your future fellow employee(s) or way in to your desired agency.

8. Ask questions...even the questions that you think are totally ridiculous. They are YOUR questions that YOU NEED answered.

9. Have a positive attitude at all times and be willing to learn.

10. Audio record your lectures, if you are able, review them and take notes.

Beginning EMT School and Sticking With It!

I knew my heart was in the right place and I wanted a profession that would be greater than myself and a career I could truly feel great about at the end of the day. Becoming an EMT was the path I ultimately chose to pursue.

The semester I decided I wanted to go to EMT school I was heart broken right off the bat because I couldn't afford to start that semester which meant I had to wait 3 months until the following semester, I'm not the most patient person and when I decide I want something....I want it right then and there.

3 months had passed and I was finally able to begin EMT school! I was so genuinely excited to begin I could hardly stand it. My first night consisted of the usual stuff...introductions, reading over the syllabus and our first lecture class.

The first lecture simply scared the crap out of me.


I went home thinking "How am I going to learn all of this in just three short months?" After my first night I already felt completely overwhelmed with the information I had just been given.

The following class period was our Lab class which we would be practicing our skills in. (Separate class from lecture class) I also felt overwhelmed from this class! We were given our skills sheets (about 8 of them) that we would have to memorize each and every step for each skill by the end of the semester. These skills would be the big test at the end, our practical which determines if you can go on to take National Registry...I'll explain more on that later.

Long story short...I stuck with these classes, studied my ass off including doing extra credit work, reading and creating flash cards until 2 or 3 in the morning most nights and caring my EMT text book with me everywhere like I do my children....yes this book was and still is attached to my hip.

Best advice to overcome the "overwhelming" feeling and "self doubt".... If this is something you really truly want to do, you will find every way possible to make it happen. Never give up or let anyone tell you, you can't do something. I've lived my life this way by overcoming multiple obstacles and shutting down anyone who told me I couldn't make something of myself...I couldn't be more proud of all I've accomplished.

So... I passed my lecture class with an outstanding A and passed my skills testing (the practical)

I then went on to take the National Registry Exam, which determines if you are going to be a nationally and state certified EMT or not. This is the biggest of the biggest tests!
Stay focused in class, study study study! and you will do just fine.

So you want to be an EMT?

Here's what it takes.

Contact your local college or other institution offering EMT classes, sign up, pay an arm and a leg for tuition (OR apply for financial aid ASAP) and be prepared to pay more fees for drug tests, background checks, immunizations you may need, supplies for class, and required reading material. Here is a break down of what I paid....

BEFORE CLASS:

• TUITION: $1000 (Look into scholarships, I've learned most colleges will not tell you about them unless you ask the right question! ASK about EMS scholarships!!)

• BOOK: $100

• SUPPLIES: $28 Give or take a little (Your college should tell you what to buy so this expense may vary)

• BACKGROUND CHECK (FBI): $70

• BACKGROUND CHECK-FINGER PRINT (CBI): $22 For in state check, if you lived out of your current state within the past few months you will pay a little more.

• DRUG TEST (UA): My college covered mine 

• IMMUNIZATIONS: Mine were FREE thanks to awesome insurance, but remember you may have co-pays for each time you go in for a shot/test...for example a TB (tuberculosis) test requires two separate office visits, one for the test and one to read the test a day or two later. 

• UNIFORM: 
• EMT PANTS: $50 (I bought only one pair. Look for local medical supply stores or even google "EMT pants" online. Also, for ladies with a little junk in the trunk...if you have problems finding a good fit in your normal size try the men's pants.)

• WHITE POLO SHIRT: $20 (I found mine at Wal-Mart on clearance for $5 each and bought 4.) 

• STEEL TOE BOOTS: $45 (Don't let anyone tell you to just buy black boots, you need steel toes to protect yourself when you start your ride alongs...you may encounter angry patients that want to stomp on your toes!...just a word of advice =)

• BLACK BELT (If required...I didn't buy one)

TOTAL: $1335 But don't freak out most colleges/institutions allow a payment plan for tuition or if you qualify for financial aid you may have to pay nothing!

TO BE CONTINUED.....