International Paramedics Day: Logan Vaughn
Friday 8th July is International Paramedics Day and we’re shining a light on our BSc Paramedic Science course.
We caught up with first year student Logan Vaughn to find out what attracted him to a career as a paramedic, as well as also hearing why he would encourage others to return to university as a mature student.
Background
I left school at 16-years-old and went to college for a bit doing some television stuff. I also worked in hospitality alongside that; I worked in kitchens and bars quite a bit. If I wanted to make a career in film and TV work then I would have had to move away from Scotland and I just didn’t feel I could do that.
At the age of 21, I stopped enjoying working in hospitality and sold life insurance for a bank, which I really didn’t enjoy! The pay for it was good though, so I then had the funds to volunteer for a while. That led to me getting a job as a volunteer coordinator, which resulted in me working in mental health. I was in a befriending role for people with mental health issues and I really enjoyed it.
I was then made redundant and moved down south. I worked with a charity there that focused on alcohol and drugs and my role was at a needle exchange at an Injecting Equipment Provision site. I was a recovery coordinator, so I was working directly with other staff members doing harm reduction interventions, motivational interviewing and linking people in with wider services.
Paramedic Science
I’d really enjoyed working in mental health but I was keen to try something a bit different and looked to add firmer technical skills to add to my psychology experience.
I met an ambulance technician and it really appealed to me. I like the idea of not working out in the community and not being attached to an office.
Choosing GCU was an easy decision for me because I wanted to stay in Glasgow and knew the course had a really good reputation. I spoke to some of the lecturers and they have an incredible amount of experience, which is hugely beneficial for someone starting out in a new profession.
The thing I’ve been enjoying the most isn’t actually the practical skills; it’s great, but I’m particularly enjoying the theory and the social/ethical side of things – it’s really great because there’s just so much of it.
Placement
I really enjoyed getting out in January for a few days. I saw a pretty wide variety of different things: everything from cardiac arrests to paediatric cases, to older folk who are housebound. I saw pretty much everything, which is what you want!
Public health
I’ve actually got a real interest in public health and the College of Paramedics has a Public Health Special Interest Group. I just decided to be a bit cheeky and send them an email explaining that I’d done a bit of health promotion work, and asked if they accept students. They replied that no student had ever asked them before but they accepted me, which is great! They said it would be useful to have a student voice involved, so I’m looking forward to the first meeting in July. I think we will basically be looking at how to develop the role of a paramedic within public health, which is really interesting.
Reflection
It’s a bit odd looking back to when I left school, but life’s funny like that! You don’t really know what you want until you start doing something.
If I hadn’t done everything I’d done before, then I wouldn’t be in the position I’m in now – even though I didn’t feel like I was on a particular path.
It’s definitely a big step to change career and make that jump, but I highly recommend it! If you do the work and engage honestly with the challenge of it, then I believe everyone is capable of it. When a lot of people find out I’m training to be a paramedic, they say: “Ooh, that’s interesting, I don’t know if I could do that” but I genuinely think most people could if they put their mind to it. It is challenging but people have capabilities beyond what they actually realise.
Being a paramedic student is a bit like learning a new language, but when it clicks, it’s just amazing. I would encourage anyone to go for it!
Find out more about our BSc Paramedic Science course!
By Ross Clark
Got an SHLS or GSBS story? Email me at Ross.Clark@gcu.ac.uk or message me on Twitter