Hello! Just an update on my situation:
I was accepted into the program! I will be attending the OHSU-OIT Paramedic Program starting this September! I have much to do, namely gaining Oregon Reciprocity along with passing the National Certification for EMT-B.
To all those that responded with well wishes, I thank you immensely. I am excited and nervous to set upon this new adventure, especially since it will be the first time I've ever left my home state for longer than 3 weeks. It is a year long program with an internship in the final term. It will be intense and probably overwhelming. I do not deceive myself that this will be easy or a breeze. It will require hard work, dedication, and an openness to continually learn.
I've already contacted the Oregon EMS office for a reciprocity packet and am waiting for it in the mail...but in the meanwhile, would anyone care to enlighten me as to what they will expect? Also, I spoke with my EMT shift supervisor (who recently became an EMT-III) and his nugget of advice was to read up on the heart and cardiovascular system and how drugs will affect it. A solid foundation like this will slightly ease the sudden flood of information.
So my query to any that read this...do you have any more nuggets such as this? I have 2 months to pre-prepare, to study and get myself into mental shape. What should I focus on?
Thank you!
Hi! Saw this question here: It is a competitive program. When I interviewed, I was in a room of 3 other applicants. If they had 4 candidates per session and 4 sessions per interview day, there were at least 48 candidates. But it was more likely that they interviewed 100 people (interviews ended up running over and notifications were mailed extremely late). There are only 22-24 spots available in the class. Thanks for your encouragement!