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.
However, due to ongoing restrictions associated with COVID-19, I was not allowed to complete my second placement and was unable to provide direct care to patients. Upon learning this, I was understandably upset but I equally understand the reasons and possible risk to myself. The feedback from other students was thrilling and everyone appeared to have opportunities to put new skills to the test. The restrictions also meant I was unable to complete my observational placement with the ambulance service but I'm deeply looking forward to these in year 2.
This year, end-of-year exams were completed online. I personally found this far more unsettling than being in a classroom. Preparations for year 2 are now underway and we spent some time together to learn what to expect from the course and fellow students, as well as the changes at the academic level and planning for practice placements. I am extremely excited about practice placements for year 2, including critical care and the North West Ambulance Service. I feel these will give us much more insight into paramedic practice in all areas, develop our skills and enhance our understanding of emergency care. I'm really looking forward to the mental health practice placement as well as this is an area of keen interest to myself for personal reasons and on that will be beneficial within our future practice.
With restrictions finally lifting, I am looking forward to year 2, getting stuck into the theory of practice in the classroom and practice placement. We are heading to our other campus for the next 2 years which will develop paramedic practice.
Overall, despite plenty of challenges in year one, I have thoroughly enjoyed the experience, meeting my cohort, my lecturers, and making friends with future colleagues. I have experienced and developed new skills and entered environments I have never worked in which was exciting. I have seen the role of the nurse paramedic develop and am excited to discover the role yet further as year 2 unfolds.