Now that the third and final year is fully underway, the reality of becoming a qualified paramedic is starting to set in. Still, I am relatively calm and relaxed about the prospects—though I am sure that will change when I start applying for jobs in the new year! I am excited about the upcoming year, with the majority being spent on placement, along with what look to be some interesting modules.
Face-to-face lectures are now taking place again which I am really looking forward to, as I find these easier to engage with and discussions with my fellow learners help to consolidate my learning. With restrictions having eased, we were even given the chance to go out and have a proper catch-up that didn't involve a computer screen!
I am quite looking forward to our time in university this year; in particular, the module surrounding professional paramedic practice. This course encourages us to critically explore the laws and ethics surrounding paramedic practice in order to support our decision-making and covers aspects such as mental health, safeguarding and end-of-life care. This is quite an interest of mine, so it will be really exciting to go into these areas in more detail and build upon our knowledge gained from placement and lectures during the first and second year of university. I am also looking forward to our clinical practice and simulation module as this is where we can put theory into practice in a variety of scenarios where we can learn from each other and critique our practice in a safe and supportive environment.
Out on placement, it is starting to become more intense. Previously, I have worked with numerous paramedics throughout my placement time. However, this year, I have been assigned one paramedic to work with. As much as I loved working with different clinicians and picking up different aspects of their practice, I feel like working with one clinician will allow me to push myself further and give me the confidence I need to make my own decisions, as they will know what I am capable of and will want to push me further. Being a third year now, I am expected to be independent in almost every aspect of my practice by the end of the year to support me in qualifying and becoming a registered clinician. It is therefore essential that I push myself out of my comfort zone and resist the urge to rely too heavily on the paramedic to help with my decisions. Similary to second year, as well as ambulance placements, we have the opportunity to participate in non-ambulance placement such as a maternity ward, operating theatre, end-of-life care, primary care and our elective placements. I am looking forward to our elective placements, which we can organise ourselves. We even have the opportunity to be placed abroad and I think it would be amazing to see how other healthcare systems work compared to ours. I am also really looking forward to the maternity placement. Despite maternity-related incidents not being a favourite in the ambulance service, I enjoy the challenge and pressure associated with them and the potential of having two patients to provide care to.
Despite my relative calm, the prospect of becoming a qualified paramedic is starting to become a reality. We have an exciting year to look forward to with plenty of challenges, as well as chances to push myself and develop my confidence in all aspects of paramedic practice.