Am I Smart Enough To Become A Paramedic?

It’s probably something you’ve asked yourself at least once if you’re an EMT. Especially if you’re really looking to make that career jump. Don’t worry, you’re not alone.

Think of the stupidest paramedic you know.

You know, the one that you can’t believe is allowed to give medications or run a trauma? Remember, if they can pass paramedic class so can you. You already know everything you need to crush your paramedic training.

Especially if you’ve ever spent time gaming.

In this article I’m going to cover the ways paramedic class and video games are actually super similar when you break it down. Both require

• Prioritization
• Resource Management
• Communication
• Memorization
• Grinding

Insert coin to begin reading

Prioritization

In a game you have a lot of choices to make.

What skills to level up. What equipment are you going to carry? What enemy out of the huge mob do you kill first? Pro tip it’s probably the wizard.

*Disclaimer* Don’t kill your patients. Even if they are in the corner casting spells. That’s just a crack head. And no, he’s not taking a magic potion.

Treat your calls like a video game a learn to prioritize your main quest over side quests.

Your main quest is the chief complaint. The big reason you were called out. The life threats. Side quests are all the other distractions that come with calls. That broken arm is a side quest distracting your from the TBI. They complain of shortness of breath but it’s actually their A-fib with RVR.

Know what’s important and what’s not.

Resource Management

Do you always save your health potions and then just never end up using them?

You can’t do that on a scene. Learn to use your resources appropriately. This could be equipment, other crew, or even law enforcement.

As a paramedic you will be the main provider on medical and trauma calls.

That means you get to call the shots. Just make sure you’re calling the right ones. Don’t dump all your resources on the guy with a broken foot when you have some lady with a tension pnuemothorax that needs decompressing.

Delegation is crucial in any multiplayer game and its a necessary skill for any good paramedic.

Memorization

The best example of this is Elden Ring. Or any Dark Souls game really.

Even if you haven’t played them, you’ve probably seen some gameplay. The bosses are hard and their move set is ridiculous. The only way to navigate the game is to get really good at memorizing their attacks.

Watch this guy. He’s an expert at it.

And you do this the same way you memorize complex systems in paramedic class.

Find something big and scary and break it down into chunks. Learn the important vocabulary around it. Learn the anatomy and physiology.

It’s a lot easier to learn 10 small bits of information and piece it together than master everything about cardiology in one go.

Learn To Love The Grind

Everyone starts as a new player. That’s all you are as a paramedic, a new player.

And there’s a learning curve to anything you want to get good at. Start by sucking at the basics. Then get a little better at the basics. Then move on.

Paramedic class is designed to build off each prior section.

It’s why they always start with anatomy and physiology. If you can’t identify the parts of the body and how they’re supposed to function, there’s no point in learning pharmacology.

Leveling up in real life is the same as in a game.

When you want to get better at something in game you just go out and do it. Your character doesn’t sit around talking about swinging a sword. They don’t read about it. You just make them go out and slay 1000 NPCs until you level up.

That’s a lot like medic class.

Reading your text book is super important because it gives you a foundation to build from. Everything after that is skill. Go grind out those 500 reps and the information will become second nature to you.

Plus, if you’ve ever had to level up by grinding the same level over and over again, you definitely have the patience you need to be a paramedic.

Teamwork

You’re not going to solo every level by yourself.

Certainly not your first time through. Thankfully, you’ve got a built in team. You will always have your crew with you while running a call.

Often, more resources are just a radio call away.

But you have to learn to be a team player. We talked about in resource management how you will very quickly become the lead provider on scene. That doesn’t give you the right to be a dick about it.

Learn to direct. Learn to delegate. Know everyone’s specialties. Don’t give airway to the guy that’s really good at IVs and vice versa.

Use your team to your advantage.

Paramedic classes are hard for sure. But if you’ve been any amount of successful adult (or a gamer), you have what it take to be a great paramedic.

If you’re looking for more advice on how to navigate paramedic classes you can find all my other blog posts here.

P.S. If you’re in your medic class and want some more help getting through your exams, check out Pocket Prep. It’s what we have all our paramedic and EMT students use.

Good Luck!