Never stop learning my friends!

 

Paramedic ➡️ PA [In Progress]

As a Paramedic, I thought my cardiology knowledge was pretty solid. I thought that it would be my first chance to take a breather during PA school. While there were definitely times I felt like I was staying above water instead of drowning (mostly just ACLS and EKGs), I had no idea that there was so much that I didn’t know. It is SO important for everyone to be lifelong learners, especially in healthcare. 

Almost done with Didactic year and only 40% done with PA School but nothing summed up our cardiology block more than this 😅 

This block was extremely humbling and it also challenged me to encourage those in EMS to keep learning. Keep signing up for elective CEs. Keep going the extra step (serial EKGs, posterior 12 lead… even a 12 lead on the lift assist you just don’t quite feel right signing off on). Keep advocating for your patients! 

KNOW YOUR PROTOCOLS but also know WHY you are practicing them! It’s important to understand WHY meds are doing what they do because if you don’t, you’ll have no idea what to do next if that step in your protocol doesn’t work (aka USE EPI AS A VASOPRESSOR FOR YOUR BRADY PATIENT, after one failed attempt at Atropine of course😉 it’ll work way better I promise) 

The heart is an amazing little machine. It can handle a lot but it also could use a little help sometimes and we have the ability to do that! Your patients will be thankful for it and you’ll have a few less days wondering if you could have done anything more to save someone. Nothing feels better than wrapping up a shift and knowing that without a doubt, you did everything in your power for patients. 

Never stop learning my friends!