patrick
Patrick grew up near the Zürich airport and during his adolescent years he would visit the airport just to observe. The international customers, logistical complexity, and the novelty of flight and airplanes drew him in.
Rega is a private, non-profit Swiss air-rescue organization that receives zero state funding. There are over three million patrons who pay a small annual fee (~ USD 45) that make Rega a reality. Rega is capable of reaching people anywhere in Switzerland within 15 minutes. They also have jet ambulances that will go anywhere in the world to transport intensive care patients back to Switzerland. Rega is one of the most respected companies in Switzerland. Needless to say, trying to get a job with Rega is an awfully competitive undertaking.
In the sixth grade Patrick’s class went on a school trip to the Rega Center. From that point forward the thought of someday working for Rega never really left him alone. The first time Patrick applied he was twenty-five. He would try for a total of ten to fifteen times before eventually succeeding his dream of over twenty years.
Despite all of the procedures, Patrick tells me being an intensive care flight nurse is a very creative job. Patrick describes the myriad of choices that are present in a task as simple as giving a patient a pill. He could gently touch the patient before calmly explaining what the pill is for or simply give the patient the pill and tell them to take it. And the differences really matter to Patrick. He strives to take care of every patient with a high standard of care.
Patrick’s job is physically and psychologically demanding. Shifts can go over 24 hrs and while on call it is impossible to make any assumptions about where in the world he will be from one day to the next. Aside from his work Patrick is a family man. He strives to be able to do the same things with his kids that parents who get done with work at five can do with their kids – like doing homework together or going for bike rides. Patrick takes immense pride in his work and will continue to work for Rega for as long as he can.
[40] June 21, 2021