After two years of travel in Australia, Brittany Follett knew it was time to get serious about her future.
The “travel-holiday life” overseas was an adventure, she says, but the prospect of finding a rewarding career upon her return was looming ahead as a fairly big challenge.
Follet says she always had a strong interest in healthcare, but wasn’t keen on entering more traditional roles of nursing or medicine. That’s when Follett considered a different path: becoming a paramedic.
“I always knew that I was good in high-stress situations and loved anything related to healthcare,” Follett says.
“When I was younger, I volunteered at St. John’s for about six months just to get some hands-on experience with first aid. I loved it.”
The decision to chase her passion led her to CTS Canadian Career College’s Paramedic Program, a 52-week intensive course that not only teaches students the theoretical aspects of emergency pre-hospital care but also provides hands-on clinical and field placements.
“I moved up to North Bay, where I had family, and fell in love with the CTS program,” Follett says. “It became my life.”
A Comprehensive and Realistic Approach to Paramedic Training
CTS’ Paramedic Program is designed to equip students with the skills and knowledge they need to excel in the field.
Over the course of the year, students participate in live online classes, skills camps, and a 450-hour placement, ensuring they are prepared for the challenges of the job. The program emphasizes the importance of both theoretical understanding and practical experience, preparing students to be integral members of the healthcare team.
For Follett, the opportunity to learn from seasoned paramedics was one of the most valuable aspects of the program, not to mention a refreshing real-world perspective on the job itself.
“That was my favourite part,” she says. “We had paramedics with years of experience come in and talk to us, giving us a real taste of what the job is like.”
“They didn’t just stick to the rules and procedures…they shared the good stuff and the bad stuff. It was essential for us to hear that.”
Real-World Experience and High-Stakes Situations
One of the key components of the CTS Paramedic Program is its field placement, where students gain first-hand experience in intensive, real-life scenarios.
Follett’s first call as a student was a baptism by fire — a cardiac arrest.
“I saw everything right away,” she said. “It was intense, but it confirmed that this was the right path for me.”
After completing the program, Follett was quickly hired as a paramedic in Nova Scotia, where she continued to develop her skills.
Over the next several years, she worked as a flight paramedic, transporting patients from remote communities in Manitoba to larger hospitals, then in Ontario as part of the ORNGE flight team.
The experiences were eye-opening, and she says it solidified her commitment to the profession.
Balancing a High-Intensity Career with Mental Health
While it’s an adrenaline-fuelled and demanding job, Follett says she acknowledges the challenges that come with being a paramedic, especially when it comes to mental health.
“This is a very high-intensity job, and it will affect you eventually,” she says.
To manage the stress, Follett relies on running and spending time with her dog, Chloe, an Australian Shepherd.
“Running is like therapy for me. It helps me process everything after a busy rotation.”
Despite the day-in-day-out rigours of the job , Follett has no regrets enrolling at CTS
“When you have a passion for something like this, it will always be a part of you,” she says. “I would 100% do the same thing again. I don’t regret it at all.”
Follett says she’s even considered writing a book about her experiences, maybe even titled “Fly Girl.”
The book would take readers through the experiences she’s had as a flight paramedic, offering a glimpse into the life of someone who has dedicated herself to helping others in some of the most remote parts of Canada.
As Follett continues her career, she remains committed to the path she chose at CTS Canadian Career College — a path that has taken her from travel adventures to life-saving missions, and a path that she wouldn’t trade for anything.