Monday, October 26, 2009

A Gap

Just thinking about this past week makes me tired.

A lot happened. The sad thing is that I don’t remember any of it. Well, most of it. It’s just that a lot happened in a relatively short period of time over the weekend, causing it to be a blur. And that, in itself, is a problem. At least for me.

I have a new partner on Saturdays now. Her name is Jen. She’s been an EMT for a while, including a stint with Boston EMS. She’s only been a medic for about 5 months or so – it seems as though I get partnered with a lot of new Paramedics for some reason. I’d like to think it’s because my employers put a lot of trust and confidence in my ability to bring new people along. The reality, however, is that I probably did something in a previous life that merits some sort of punishment. I don’t know what that would have been, but  sometimes it’s difficult just the same to be in that position. I’m certainly not paid any more because of it. But in the long run I suppose it really doesn’t matter. It’s part of the job.

I had to write a paper last week detailing the life cycle of a cell. While it wasn’t as hard as it sounds, it was still a pain to write. I had to do a lot of work to make sure I had all of the source material done right. And while there was a lot of detail that needed to be covered, the paper itself – technically it was classified for our purposes as a lab report – was only 3 pages long. While I have no idea how I did on it, I felt good about how it went. This coming Friday we have our first lab practical. And it will be interesting to see how it goes. And tomorrow will be a study day, a gym day (I went today for the first time in two weeks), and a work day.

It will be busy.

4 comments:

Karen Brook said...

The 1st part of this post ("bringing along" -- mentoring new medics) sounds like the downside of maintaining a consistantly high standard of professional excellence and being able to work well with people :-) BUT the cool thing is that in the areas where they are "blank slates", the writing of how best to do things will be yours! Like a ripple in a pond, it moves out endlessly to impact TONS of people! The 2nd part: I remember that assignment. To me it seemed more difficult and info laden than the assignment of tracing a drop of blood from the heart throughout the body back to the heart again. You're doing great, Walt. Breathe. Hang in there!

TOTWTYTR said...

Jen isn't by any chance a red head, is she?

As to the rest, go with the experienced, steady hand that new medics can learn from thing. It's a better belief than the alternative.

Unknown said...

Jen is a brunette, early 30's, has real serious ADHD. She may have been a redhead at one time, but I don't know that for certain. I do know, however, that at least to me she is a breath of fresh air.

I agree with both of you for different reasons: Karen, because as always you know how to pick me up with kind words and a wonderful smile. TOT, as usual, you hit the nail on the head - I would much prefer the former to the latter...

Susie Hemingway said...

Gosh it did sound a busy time. I bet you are given the new Paramedics because you are kind, most knowledgeable and are able to make the newbys comfortable, you are trusted to do a good job and you do. Good Luck with the paper.