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.