Words of Wisdom for Paramedic Students

Everybody needs help, even those that are going to school to help people for a living.  If you’re getting ready for paramedic school, or are already enrolled in a program, here’s some information you might find quite helpful.

Wisdom Before Paramedic School Begins

One of the best things any potential paramedic can do for him or herself before even starting class is to learn human physiology, have a solid understanding of biochemistry, and at least a passing familiarity with the medications used by paramedics in their area.

In its essence, emergency medicine (and really all medicine) is understanding how the human body and its constituent cells, tissues, and organs works normally, what kinds of things can go wrong with them, and how the medications and other interventions the paramedic has in their toolbox can help slow, stop, or reverse them.

As noted, nearly all jurisdictions require paramedics to first be EMTs.

Also, as noted, paramedic school is rough for a lot of students. One big thing a potential student can do is sit down with family and friends before school starts, and let them know what to expect.

Remind them that there will be times when the load of school work, plus clinical and/or vehicular time, will be heavy enough to preclude everything except the barest of essentials. For some, school may prove to be too much to handle with other responsibilities, such as child care and family life.

If this is the case, a potential student may well choose to find a program that offers more flexible schedules, or that may take longer but offers a smaller load per semester or quarter. Talk to the facilities nearby that offer paramedic programs, there may be more options than are immediately apparent.

While in Paramedic School

Keep up with your schedule, and try not to miss assignments.

As with any college-level course, it is the student who manages their time the most effectively that will be the most successful in graduating while maintaining their sanity. If possible, plan your vehicular and clinical time as far out as possible, and arrange these to both give yourself some leeway should unexpected outside events take priority (such as childcare or other family issues) and still have some time to occasionally relax.

Also, build into your schedule some time to keep touch with family and friends, if you can do so.

Remember that the basis for any intervention is assessment, and that the basis of assessing your patients is an understanding of anatomy and physiology. Learn the A&P well, and the understanding of each organ system’s function as well as abnormal function will be clear.

Don’t forget to bookmark our paramedic training homepage, so that you can find more information that best suits your needs.