The first day is behind me and I’m officially a paramedic student.
Not much to report about the first day. As expected, there was a lot of Administrivia; the rules, the dress code, uniforms for clinicals. All the nuts and bolts that will make a class of 24 diverse people work together as a team. Our long days are split, a 2 and half hour morning didactic session, an hour of PE, lunch and then another 2 and half hours of class. Wednesdays are the short days, the skills lab days, and I’m in the later session for that. First lab is today. They didn’t tell us what was up, but I’m guessing BLS skills assessment.
Of course, we dove right into the course work. Starting with the first 5 chapters of any EMS textbook. You know it, say it with me, “The Well Being of the Paramedic” and the “Ethics/Legal Issues”. Our first quiz is tomorrow.
It looks like we’ll start airway and IV skills next week, and then our clinical rotations start by the third week of October so we can start getting lines and tubes.
As I was sitting in the classroom yesterday and the instructor was welcoming us to the program, I still couldn’t really believe that I was there. Just a little over a year ago I was considering the thought of applying to medic school. That year of prerequisites sure went fast.
In other news, “Medic 7″ is moving to a new station. I’m sliding this blog to it’s own domain, getting involved with a larger blog project and I’ll be changing the designator on my medic to a different apparatus number. The new station isn’t quite built yet, so hang on for more details. But trust me, this is a good thing.
PE? Seriously? I know physical fitness is important in EMS, I just hadn't heard of any program making it part of the curriculum.
Good move I guess, but when the curriculum is over I'm betting that those who wouldn't have maintained necessary physical fitness in the first place won't be keeping it up anyway.
Yeah, I think the PE addition is a good one. It would be a shame to get all the way through the course and then not be able to get a job because one couldn't pass the CPAT.
This PE class has really been customized and designed for EMS workers, focusing on a proper diet, lots of cardio and correct body mechanics. Of course, we'll be lifting weights and running, too.
I applaud the program Director for making it part of the curriculum.
Looks like I might be moving to the same new station as you!!
See you there!