The Cruising Para(medic)

A little about me... I'm a UK paramedic from England. I've had 10 years with a medical background, working in theatres, the ambulance service and a resus team. My latest adventure is taking me around the world as I now work for a cruise company. Drop me a follow for little snippets of life on board (mostly good, sometimes bad, rarely ugly)! . . . . . . . . . . #cruising #cruiseship #cruiseshiplife #cruiseshipmedic #paramedic #seafarer #paramedicatsea #cruiseshipcrew #cruiseslife

Come see where I work 👋🏼 . This is a real whistle stop tour, and I've not covered every room, but you get the jist. . At least once daily I'll hear someone say how surprised they are at the size of this medical centre - it's the only guest area on this deck so there's no reason you'd see it unless you needed us! Ideally, you don't even remember we're here whilst you're enjoying your holiday. . Are you surprised at how much we have on board? Let me know in the comments! 🚢

This has been such a highly requested video, and something I get asked in my DMs all the time. I love responding to all of you that reach out, but here's a summary just in case 😙 . In terms of what was essential, I needed 5 years clinical experience to apply for the job (I understand now it's only 3), a valid RCUK ALS certificate or equivalent, good interpersonal skills and a valid passport. The rest, like hospital experience for example, was desirable but not mandatory. Each of the experiences I've had I've managed to draw something from to help me in this role. We've all got a slightly different journey that's led us to our roles in healthcare - what's yours? . PS I really do want to stress that if you've got any questions I really do love hearing from you! Comment here or drop me a DM 🥰

None

None

✨2.0.2.4 highlights✨ . January's skydive. February's man-shaped curveball. March's spontaneous trip to Thailand. April's entry into my third decade and my first gold medal. May's welcome to the brand new Sun Princess. June's reunion with a ship bestie. July's long-awaited visitor after an eternity on facetime. August's big leap and quitting my job. September's homely bubble. October's emotional blue belt. November's return to beloved Bristol. December's first proper Christmas for a long, long time. . I've been much quieter this year, and there's been so much more personal behind-the-scenes struggles I've kept close to my chest. Here's hoping next year brings more transparency, less turbulence and (pretty please!) a new job 😂😂

🎄Happy holiday, everyone!🎄 . . Whether you're having a Ship-mas or a Christmas or just a December 27th, I hope the day brings you: . ❤️ The unity and resilience my team gave me and the unconditional friendship @scientist.at.sea gave me in 2022. (I have some truly special memories from my first Christmas at sea that I am so grateful for). ❤️ The great hair day like that of 2023, and the resilience that Christmas gave me to overcome how lonely (and hungover and sad) I felt that year. ❤️ The overwhelming peace I have felt in 2024, the reminder of how special time is with family and the one I love, and the healing that happened when everything I hated about Christmas evaporated and everything I once loved about Christmas was nurtured. . ... And if you happen to be a passenger, just know that the crew have worked so hard for you over the past few weeks. It's Christmas for them, too ✨

To the changing seasons 🍁🥰

Two months since I came back to land for good. . Two months of autonomy in what I wear. Two months of not wearing cheap, hot uniforms if I want to step out from underground. . Two months of reconnecting with my hobbies and watching it pay off. . Two months of re-learning to cook, and choosing what and when I eat... And not eating leftovers. Two months of being in charge of my nutrition and enjoying food again. . Two months of sleeping in a place that's my foreseeable home, not a 4 month stop. . Two months of investing in a new relationship, of letting myself relax and be looked after for once. Two months of thriving as a team, not surviving solo. . Two months of sleep, at night, uninterrupted, in my own bed. No pagers, no announcements, no phone. . Two months with actual days off. Two months of having my time respected and actually being left alone. . Two really mentally tough months realising I made the right choice. Two months coming to terms with the fact cruising started off really fun but that fun eventually ran out.

It's giving rebrand, it's giving new lease of life☀️ . What am I up to now I've hit land?! The question I've been avoiding for about 5 weeks now 🤭 . It's no secret that anything following "I work as a paramedic on cruise ships" is going to be underwhelming, but I need you to hear me out... . Right now, I have a secondment for an immunisation and vaccination team. My role initially was to support the RSV clinics for pregnant patients, however it looks like now I'm mucking in with a bit of everything on offer. It's been a strange first week, as these things often are, with tonnes of e-learning, new names/faces and lot of alien abbreviations. . It's probably also a little strange as an outsider to understand why someone would take such a dramatic change of pace, but when I consider I was changing my job, moving in with a new partner in a new home in a city I didn't know ALL NOW ON LAND, I wouldn't have wanted an intense professional life on top. I now have the luxury of no nights, evenings free to meet people and embrace my hobbies/passions, weekends to spend with a partner and explore my new home and patients who are calm and happy to see me. I think, personally, I've made a good move. . And so, we welcome thebruisingpara - a mix of vaccs and jitsu (both which gives us bruises!) with the same atypical paramedic at it's core. 🤍 . There was also a whole load of tea on why I quit cruising, but we'll save that for another time 😉☕

The cruisingpara has landed 🤯 . I made a really tough decision recently, but I know I've done the best thing for me. When I'm ready I'll spill a little tea ☕, but for now I'm preparing to start my new job and share the next steps with you all... And no, in typical cruisingpara fashion, it's still not ambulance! 🚑

Good morning, cruisers! For anyone wondering why I've been a little MIA (and if you've not, I'm going to tell you anyway), I can explain... . I took a tumble on some rocks whilst climbing at the beach in Corfu this week. I'm not injured badly (luckily!), just a bit sore. However... I know it must have been quite bad because a) my friends/other people on the beach didn't laugh for a good 10 minutes, b) the bruise I have on my bum is quite spectacular and c) the phone in the backpack I was wearing is a write off - it's completely broken. . Getting a new phone whilst at sea is a tricky one and I'm not sure how and when I'll be able to source a proper replacement. So, for now, all I've got is my 10 year old laptop, this one photo I've used for a headshot before and this post. Thanks for bearing with me, but unfortunately content might make a brief pause until I can source a phone/a camera again. . For now, I'm just grateful that I've come away fine! . Love, thecruisingpara x