My first year as a nurse paramedic student

First year has now come to an end, the first nurse paramedic students have completed one year, and it has been challenging to say the least. Entering this programme during a pandemic has brought its own challenges for me academically and personally. Trying to learn online has certainly been difficult at times and shown me that online learning is not my strongest point. I do prefer to be in the classroom as I feel it allows for more engagement, and provides opportunities to be spontaneous in terms of asking questions and having that interaction with lecturers and other students. Nonetheless, the university and lecturers were very supportive and understanding during the online process.

Since completing our first placement as nurse paramedic students, we found ourselves on campus in the simulation centre developing and learning new skills more often, which was thrilling as some of the skills we have now achieved have enhanced our scope of practice in readiness for future practice placements. I thoroughly enjoyed my time in these sessions and have now developed skills and knowledge in catheterisation, venepuncture and cannulation. We developed our theory of electrocardiogram (ECG), then spent time learning the practice application and reading of ECG. I personally found the theory very challenging at first but with the support of fellow students and teachers, this became clear and will be used frequently in both nursing and paramedic practices.