I am often asked by colleagues
and other student why did I want to do Paramedic Science. This is one question
I am yet to actually have an answer to. This did make the interviews for the
programme more difficult, as this was a question I was asked at all of them. I
don’t think there is just one reason I chose this programme, and although
difficult to explain I just knew it was what I wanted to do.
I began my journey in to this
career path at only 10 years old when I became a cadet member at my local St. John
Ambulance division. At this point I had no intention of becoming a Paramedic
partly because I didn't really know what one was but more because I was really
interested in cars and wanted a career as a Mechanic. As my time with St. John
progressed I began to gain skills in Basic Life Support and Basic First Aid.
Once I had gained these skills I was fortunate enough to be able to shadow a
fellow colleague who was a Paramedic. I was allowed to attend events providing
First Aid to injured or ill members of the crowd. This early clinical expose
gave me a great sense of pride and achievement, and in turn I became more
interested in Volunteering with St. John. Once I reached 16 I was allowed to
attend motor sport events, including the stock car banger racing and the
speedway motorbikes (which have NO brakes).
Now my attention was beginning to
turn back to what was I going to do with my life? I no longer wanted to work as
a mechanic having completed my school work experience programme. However I
needed to have some focus as I was about to choose my A levels, and the
pressure was on. My family wanted to become a Doctor, and I went along with
this taking Chemistry, Biology and Mathematics. I really did not enjoy my A
levels except Maths, Biology at A level is predominantly studying plants, and
Chemistry just went straight in one ear and out the other. However my family
still wanted me to be a Doctor, and applying to UCAS was fast approaching.
Before I applied I decided I
needed more work experience, this was a very difficult process I was only 17 at
the time and most organisations would not take me on. I also found that a
common issue was around patient confidentiality which would prevent me from
shadowing a GP. However I gained some work experience working in my local
Pharmacy, this I found gave an interesting insight in to patients living with
long term complex medical conditions. My continuing development with St. John
had introduced to the role of a Paramedic, and career in acute healthcare.
So I wrote my personal statement
to apply to do Paramedic Science because I wanted to continue in to a career as
a Paramedic. I didn't really consider my option when applying and in fact chose
my universities on geographic locations. I chose Bournemouth, Portsmouth and
Plymouth as I wanted to live by the sea and Greenwich because it is London
based. I would not recommend this method to other applicants you should really
view each university and see how the course is delivered. I was fortunate
enough to get interviews at Greenwich and Plymouth, which I personally felt if
I could get an interview this would be my best chance to get an offer. I
arrived on the day of my interview at Plymouth, I personally did not like the
campus or the programme but I was offered a place. I then attended my interview
for Greenwich at the Medway campus, and immediately fell in love with the
campus and the programme. Although I had an offer for Plymouth, at this point
all I wanted to receive an offer for Greenwich. Then one day whilst out working
for St. John an email from UCAS arrived notifying my application status had
changed, this meant Greenwich had made their decision. However I was on my
phone and only had limited internet access, I took me over 2 hours to log on to
UCAS track, needless to say I was pretty stressed when it finally loaded. So
that was it I had an offer from the University I wanted to go to, I was so
happy. Only thing left, learn how to drive a van (oh and pass my exams).
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