I remember it as yesterday. I was nervous going to Tyler. Going to do my National Registry Test for EMT. I knew that two from my class had already passed. But the test was hard. That was what the rumour said. Statistics said that about 55% passed on their first attempt. Not many people knew my exact day I was going to test. I had said “end of February, beginning of March” when people had asked. Didn’t want the pressure on me.
And it was hard. Had to read the questions very thoroughly and time was ticking. My test was over after 82 questions. It could have been up to 140 questions depending on how I answered. Was 82 good enough or did it cut me off because it wasn’t savagable at that point? The result wouldn’t be available until 24-48 hours later. The worst time of waiting of my life. I usually doesn’t have anxiety and I know that because those hours was the most anxious hours ever! I couldn’t sleep that night. It was crazy!

Woke up around 6 am the following morning. I heart that mom was awake so I went to say good morning to her. Can’t remember what I had planned for the day but once the dogs were taken care of and mom had her coffee I went online to see if maybe the results was there. But 24 hours hadn’t passed yet so I wasn’t sure. I sat on my bed and I saw the words “Congratulations to passing your NREMT exam”. I screamed right out, and then I heart mom yell “What’s wrong”. I ran in to her bedroom and continued screaming “I passed the test” and we both hugged and cried. That instant relief was amazing. I freaking passed the test on my first try! I was now officially an EMT. I had met my goal to become an EMT within one year of my pacemaker surgery!

It was an amazing and crazy feeling at once! Now I had to figure out how to be certified in Texas and start to look for a job. Neither of those was going to be hard it would turn out to. But the satisfaction that I had gone through EMT school with all that it took and finished in less than 5 months… that was absolutely a good feeling! And a career change I have never regretted!