Facing fear and embracing change

My first year as a newly qualified paramedic is complete and it was certainly not without its highs and lows. So much has changed since my first day and it was not until I sat down to write this column that I realised quite how much. First things first, I hate change—or rather, I always hated change—but working for the ambulance service makes you more resilient as you either learn to accept change and move on or try and fight it.

I remember my first day on the road as a paramedic as if it was yesterday—the overwhelming nervous fear will forever be engrained in my mind but (as I remember writing in my first column), the fear was replaced with excitement as I truly felt at home within my team. The next few months sailed by without a hitch. I could see myself continuously developing as my confidence grew daily and all with my regular crew mate by my side. I truly could not have asked for a better crew mate; we were a real team and there was never a dull moment. Work became my second home and it felt as though everything had fallen into place. I could not believe how lucky I had been.