Life of a Trainee Paramedic

Well this weekend has been quite eventfull for several reasons.  The first was Friday night due to us being called to the local prison, which is very close to the hospital.  Since I began this course, I have never been there before, but that night, we actually went twice, which was quite strange.  I personally don’t think that I would be able to cope very well in prison, certainly not ones in which you can’t actually leave! It also showed me how totally stuffed you would be if the patient was seriously ill, it takes a hell of a long time to get in and out, for obvious reasons.

The second, was how may drunk patients that we have had this weekend.  Every other set of weekend nights that I have worked, we have never really had any, or just the one here and there, but this weekend, the unable-to-stand-incapable-of-drinking-responsibly people seemed to be out in force.  It doesn’t bother me so much when they are drunk, and co-operative, it’s when they are un-cooperative that it can be a little annoying!

The third was on my last shift, which has got to be the quietist shift that I have ever worked, a grand total of 3 jobs, with the last one coming right at the end, making us late off, which was irritating considering how much time was spent doing nothing during the shift.  The good thing about this shift though was 2/3 patient’s were actually ill, and I was able to really get hands on, doing the job that I’m training to do.  I gave some drugs that I’ve never seen be given before and I managed to get both 18g cannula’s, which was a suprise to me (and my mentor).  I think I’m finally getting a technique, instead of changing the way I do it each time.  Thankfully though, I’ve never actually missed them when it’s been important.

I’ve got an afternoon at Uni on Thursday, and then 2 day shifts Saturday and Sunday so we will see what I get to do then!

On Saturday, I was able to lead at a trauma job, and I made the decision to board and collar the patient.  The patient was drunk, and he only seemed to respond to my ‘calm voice’ (his words), rather than the dislike he took to my mentor. This made me laugh somewhat, and gave me a little ammunition for the evening!

I’m at home for a few days now seeing family, and continuing with an essay, so it should hopefully be a chilled couple of weeks.

TP