Paramedics week 9: survived!

Either of these should be the soundtrack for this week's post:

 

This week was tough. I don't seem to be having too many straight forward weeks at the moment! As I've already said, Katie was very unwell at the start of the week and I wasn't well. I had an assessment on Friday that I had been dreading for weeks and was worried that I wasn't going to be well enough to go to uni to do it. Usually I'm happy enough to use a medical certificate to move an assessment if I am sick but with a practical assessment at the pointy end of the semester it was going to be far more convenient just to do it.

I think it is fair to say that this assessment had everyone on edge. One of the major differences I've noticed between Arts and Paramedics is the slight air of competition between some folk in the course. It's not everyone, but there certainly are a few people who are adamant at all times that they are on top of absolutely all their work and not the least bit concerned about any looming assessment. Call me cynical, but from the start I haven't entirely believed them.

The assessment on Friday changed the cohort dynamics. I didn't come across a single person who has at least slightly nervous. Most, like me, where completely jittery. I barely slept the night before and was so nervous I got to uni half an hour early because I couldn't stand sitting around at home any longer and was terrified that I would get stuck in traffic.

The assessment was for the clinical concepts subject which involved operating 2 pieces of equipment, the oxysaver (metropolitan ambulance edition oxygen and suction unit) and the MRx monitor (3 lead ECG and defibrillator). We were also questioned on facts about each of the pieces of equipment. Learning the facts was simple rote learning but we hadn't had access the the equipment to practice with it since we first learned the skills in week 2.  I found this lack of practice really frustrating.

In previous years, paramedics students have had access to the equipment to practice whenever the building is open. Due to too many breakages and thefts, the Faculty has decided that the solution to this problem is to cease access all together. This kind of pendulum swing response disappoints me. In a course centred around practical skills, the opportunity to practice clinical skills should be paramount. An equipment room booking system seems the obvious answer to me and I know that other unis do this successfully for similar facilities.

Anyway, my assessment went really well, which was a relief. It was nice to see everyone being so supportive of one another and genuinely pleased for each others' success. Hopefully the sentiment will continue through as we lead up to exams!

My Mum came back from a longer business trip yesterday and she brought the family some fantastic gifts. I missed her, especially when I was sick and am really glad to have her home.