Passing a test proves you know exactly what you’re doing right? As long as you can pass the test, you’ll be an amazing EMT/Paramedic right?  Unfortunately that’s not always the case.  Some people are just graced with being AMAZING test takers, but for a lot of us in this career, testing is not our strong suit.

But does that make us bad at our jobs???

I honestly don’t believe so.  Like everything else involving the human body, every person is different.  Some are generally good at test taking, when others fall short.  I’m not saying this as someone who doesn’t get it and hasn’t had to deal with the feeling of failure after receiving a less than desirable score on their test.  I have had my fair share of NREMT failures (7 to be exact), but I never let that get in my way to achieving my goal of becoming a Paramedic.  Time after time, I failed the NREMT written exam, but on my 8th attempt I became a Paramedic. 

Some may call me the:

Does this mean that I am a subpar Paramedic?

(I don’t believe so)

Does my certification say “Barely a Paramedic”?

(No it does not)

We’ve all been taught that testing is all about taking information you’ve learned and being able to regurgitate it upon demand.  Where I was adequate in skills testing, I just could not pass the written.  At first I thought it was for a lack of information retention.  However every time I got my test results, somehow I was all over the place for failed categories that I needed to work on. How could this be???  This test is supposed to be the most sophisticated test possible that alters itself according to how I am answering questions.  Yet somehow EVERY time, it tried telling me I needed more work on completely different subjects.  I had complete recall of the information, and did fine throughout school as well as the skills testing, I just couldn’t pass this stupid test!

Now I’m not here to say that I am the best or strongest Paramedic in the world, but I can carry my own.  Currently I hold the position of Critical Care Paramedic and Field Training Officer.  So how does someone go from BARELY passing this test, to someone who is entrusted to go above the normal scope of practice, let alone teaching/aiding other employees to become better? Determination and dedication is how. No, I don’t believe these tests are just for information regurgitation.  What these tests are, are just another obstacle that needs to be overcome to prove you are ready.  And to each person that obstacle is a little different.

For me, I needed the confidence that I knew what I was doing.  I didn’t need some stupid test’s approval to tell me I knew what I was doing.  I could run most calls like it was nothing, so why was I letting this test get in my way?  The day I realized this, is the day I finally passed the test.

Now this isn’t the case for everyone.  Like I said, we are all different.  What you need to find out is what you are lacking.  For some it may actually be knowledge, so figure out what you need to work on and crack the book.  Not everyone learns the same.  Some people can listen to a lecture and retain all of the information.  Others like me need visual aids and other learning techniques.  For others it may be progression of treatments, so go through them and figure out a way that works for you.  Whatever you need to do, you’ll find a way if you just keep working at it.  It may sound cliché, but persistence is key.  And sometimes you just need to seek help.  Maybe that’s the problem, you think you can fix it yourself yet time after time you keep getting the same results. 

“Insanity is doing the same thing over and over again, and expecting different results”

– Albert Einstein

So today make a pledge to yourself and to your future patients.  Get the job done, whatever that may be for you.  If you need help, admit it and seek the help you need.  There are plenty of us out there that pride ourselves on helping others, so take us up on the offer.  The fact that you are still reading this proves that you have what it takes to get through this.  For those of you who are reading this and think that I, or anyone else at Ibley EMS, can be of any help to you, please reach out to us.  At the end of the day, you don’t need a test to tell you if you’re ready, you just need yourself.

Good luck, and you’ve got this.  Trust me, it’ll be worth it in the end.  Show that test who’s boss!!!