EMT Class: Passing with Flying Colors and one hiccup...

So I finished my skills testing today in my EMT class.  We had seven stations.  In this case, we had medical assessment, trauma assessment, spinal immobilization (supine), bleeding control, AED/CPR, BVM on an apneic patient, and oxygen via non-rebreather mask. 

My first round was trauma.  I was so nervous!  But I passed within the time limit and was much relieved.  Second was non-rebreather mask... very confident and jammed right through it.  Next was spinal immobilization.  Arrgh!  I wrestled with the c-collar for too long and ran out of time at the end.  I would have likely finished 30 seconds to a minute later, but, alas, time was called.  My mood drooped.  :(

Next I went on to AED/CPR, where I felt very confident and went through it very well.   Bleeding control went well.  Such a sweet woman testing us!  Finally, medical assessment was a little dodgy, though I did complete all the requirements and passed.  Mostly, I failed to ask the large amount of detailed questions I just couldn't think of to go with abdominal pain.  After speaking with our tester, I now know a variety of questions to ask to help pinpoint the reason, and will be more confident in the future.

Restested the spinal immobilization, realized I'd been measuring the c-collar wrong, and aced it the second round.

Phew!

Graduation day tomorrow, then study for the NREMT exam in two more weeks.

Goals are being met!  Yay!

Made it to the end, so far...

So I've passed my written exam in my EMT class (94%, yay!).  Very worried, though, 'cause the Skills final is this Wednesday.  I find skills more nerve-wracking than written exams.  But practicing lots, both with the equipment and without (though it's much easier with it).

I also finished my ride-along recently.  I can't give any details, but I can say I really enjoyed the experience and look forward to working in the field.  Oh, and that apparently my childhood car sickness never permanently went away... At least it only went to nausea and no further!  :O

Managed to get back on my bike last week for eight miles, hope to get in a bunch more riding this August while I'm not in class.

And, finally, I have to get back to my research project, due in early August, which I haven't touched in the last month 'cause I've been focusing so much on my summer class.  Busy, busy, busy!  But "good" busy!!  :)

Looking forward to a slight break before the Fall semester.

Ciao for now.

A Little Help, Please

So, I finally gave in and started a fundraising campaign to help me make it to medical school.  I have mixed feelings about it, but then I thought some more and realized others were doing fundraisers so why shouldn't I try?  It can't hurt, and it might help.

I'd be happy if I only got a hundred, but I'm aiming higher.  I'd love it if everyone I know donated a dollar.  I will pay anything I make forward once I get through medical school.  I just need some help through this tough time in my life.  My goals are straightforward, though, and I'm working towards those dreams.  I'm currently doing very well in school (one B, the rest are A's), and am pretty sure I'll be able to get into a medical school somewhere, even if it isn't my dream school (Stanford).  But I'll try there, first!

Thanks for considering sponsoring me!

http://www.gofundme.com/3jxr34

Jennifer

Why so sleepy?

Today we worked on backboarding in EMT class.  I now know how to put a patient onto a backboard to maintain c-spine.  It was a lot of fun learning this skill.  We have a great bunch of students and instructors.

I'm wondering if working outside with the backboarding is what's now making me so sleepy.  Still, no time for napping, I got stuff to do, and a quiz to study for!

The last few weeks of class have been busy.  I know lots more, and I've been through a bit of ups and downs.  Two weeks ago I went through about two days of depression due to both class and home issues, but then my meds kicked back in (and rational thinking took over) and I was back to myself again.

I'm having a hard time figuring out how I'm going to move on August 1st.  I have money for a security deposit, but not the first month's rent.  And beginning EMTs only make a little above minimum wage, so I may be tight for the first six months.  May have to consider postponing a semester or two to work two jobs, but I'm thinking I'm going to try a fundraising website first.  I figure it can't hurt and might help, so why not?

Anyway, got my assignment for my ride-along for EMT class.  Looking forward to it!  Won't be able to give any specifics due to HIPAA, but I anticipate being able to tell if I liked it (which I think I will).  So we'll see in the coming weeks...