Getting cold feet

[HereToLearn]

I'm excited about the fact that I just finished my BS in Fire Protection Administration. I finished with a 3.72GPA which I'm just ecstatic about accomplishing! I was able to finish my schooling, while working as an EMT on an ambulance and doing some standby 911 work. Now I'm in the testing process with some of my dream departments. I've also decided that I want to push on, past my current level of EMT-B and become a Paramedic.

BUT....

I'm just getting cold feet about it. The reason I want to become a Paramedic is that I want to know more about what's going on with my patients when I'm on calls. I want to be able to do more for them! I'm just hoping I'm prepared and I'll know what I need to know, when it counts! I've been fortunate enough to where (most) of the medics I've come in contact with, have been really great on those critical calls and I've been able to be a part of a lot of saves! Which of course is reassuring and makes me feel great!

I see these other guys and gals who are Medics and I think to myself, if they can do it, I can do it! But there's just this half-way sick feeling in the pit of my stomach that has got my nervous. You know the kind you got when you were little before a big test! I know I can do this if I set my mind to it. Part of my feels nervous because I feel like I'm the only one who's nervous about starting medic school. I'll be going into it with two friends who I've known for years and went through my FF1 academy and EMT school with...Both of them don't show of hint of nervousness. I have a feeling they are simply hiding it, as I have been.

Among others, I've also been talking it over with a friend of mine who was an ER nurse for years and years. She told me that these "butterfly's" if you will, are completely normal. She explained to me that when she started, she had no idea what she was doing and that's the way it should be. You are going there to be taught. You are not expected to know how to do all these things yet. So just take it as it comes.

I know I have the aptitude to learn the material and become proficient at the various skills. I just feel like I'm the only person who feels this way and everyone else is either, feeling just fine about it, or just hiding it better! :wacko:

How was it for you guys and gals? Can you relate to this at all? :blush:

 

[terrible one]

everyone is nervous. maybe not as much yet because you dont know what you're getting yourself into.

where are you going to school?

 

[Shishkabob]

You just described, nearly verbatum, how I felt before I started. I've never done bad in a class that I've actually tried in, and aced my EMT class (Not saying much, but still.) I've met medics who seemed like they fell off the short bus, so I knew it wasn't impossible, just work. Infact, we just did a couple of quizzes lately, and I have the highest grade at this point in the class (Knock on wood, don't jinx myself!)


The thing I tell my self is that they will teach you every thing you need to know. No class expects you to have all the knowledge before you start, because that's what the class is meant for.


As one of my instructors says, "We'll give you the tools, it's up to you to do the leg work". As such, I bought an A&P book to review, and just got Dale Dubins EKG book in the mail and will be reading through that.

 

[Epi-do]

I think being nervous is a normal reaction. For me, the nerves didn't really hit until the after the first day of class, when we went through all of the '"this is what is expected of you" stuff. It just seemed pretty overwhelming between class, clinicals, ride-outs, tracking skills, etc, etc, etc.

You have had several people tell you they will teach you all you need to know. Those people are partially correct. They will teach you what you need to provide a good foundation to continue building upon. I am about 6 months into my first year working as a medic (after spending 91/2 years as a basic) and there have been several runs where I have turned to the more seasoned medics to bounce ideas off of when something comes up that I have never seen before. The have also been great to talk to after a run, just to see if there was anything additional/different I could have considered/done. Any sort of career in medicine is a lifelong journey of learning. Don't let anyone convince you otherwise. Once you think you know it all, it is time for you to move on.

Good luck to you in class. I am sure you will do great!

 

[HereToLearn]

everyone is nervous. maybe not as much yet because you dont know what you're getting yourself into.

where are you going to school?

Rather not say on a public forum.


I did want to thank those who responded. Glad to see I'm not the only one! B)

 

[Tiberius]

I just started medic class myself....happy to be in class and a bit nervous at the same time. I'm dreading the NREMT-P written, though it's a long way off...I plan on taking it one chapter at a time, keep my eyes and ears open, and ask ANY questions that come up. Best of luck!