I was allocated my final paramedic placement in Ingham in far north Queensland this year. At first I was nervous due to the unknown of a rural placement and the challenges I may face, however it was one of the most rewarding and interesting placements I completed in my degree. In a far northern town with sparse resources available, it was eye opening to be a part of a small team to treat patients across a vast distance. When things went downhill, it truly is just you and your crew to use your skills, knowledge and problem solving skills to help and treat the patient. Working in a rural town enhances your learning environment, challenging you to think by yourself and pushing you out of your comfort zone. This was the thing I loved most about this placement, as it allowed me to consolidate my learning before my final stages of my degree and entering the workforce.
Without the ACEN scholarship, I would have not even have made it to Ingham let alone experience the learning and placement opportunities. This scholarship allowed me to not stress about funding the trip to Ingham, over 17 hours away and ensured I had a comfortable stay during my 3 week placement. I am beyond grateful for this scholarship, as I wouldn’t have had the same experiences and met the same people that I believe have shaped me into being an eager, ready to learn paramedic that feels prepared to tackle patients in the real workplace with my knowledge and experience.
Overall, my dream pathway has always been to work as a paramedic and this placement has only solidified this for me, which would not have been possible without the support of the ACEN scholarship.
