Paramedic Hollie celebrates "the best year of her life" since joining GNAAS

“It really has been the best year of my life both professionally and personally.”

Hollie Smith from Chester-Le-Street joined the Great North Air Ambulance Service (GNAAS) in January last year after nine years with the North East Ambulance Service (NEAS).

Hollie is the youngest paramedic ever to join the charity’s critical care team at just 28 years old.

Fast forward a year and Hollie is now part of the GNAAS furniture and has had an incredible whirlwind of a year from getting signed off to fly solo to getting engaged on her dream holiday.

Here’s what Hollie had to say:

It’s been a hell of a ride so far!

I still feel so lucky to be here at GNAAS and being surrounded by people who are at the top of their game has been amazing as it has helped me consolidate my skills and learn every single day.

It feels like just two minutes ago I answered my phone, and it was GNAAS’ director of operations, Andy Mawson, who asked me how I thought my interview went.

I said I thought it could have gone better and Andy really wasn’t giving anything away by the tone of his voice but then he said I absolutely smashed it and that he thought I would be an asset to the team.

I celebrated that night with my partner who now is my fiancé, so it really has been one of the best years of my life both professionally and personally.

The interview for GNAAS was three hours long – the longest and most intense three hours of my life but looking back, it was absolutely worth it.

I remember coming in on my first day and seeing the helicopter up close and personal and I was like wow – this is really happening. Even now, a year on when I run out to the helicopter it’s still surreal that this is what I get to do, and I feel so grateful that I love my job so much.

When I started with the charity, I was most nervous about the learning curve of going from a double paramedic crew to this. I just didn’t want to let anyone down and wanted to be a good support but the support I have received from the entire team at GNAAS has just been invaluable.

It’s like one big family that I am so proud to be part of.

When I came to pick my uniform up, I still didn’t believe that I was going to work here and when I saw my name printed on the top, I was just completely over the moon. I still feel so much pride a year later putting on my uniform.

For me, the most difficult thing has been the imposter syndrome and believing in myself and that I deserve to be here but as the year has passed I am slowly and surely overcoming this.

It really has been the most incredible year and I am grateful for everyone who has helped me on my journey from starting to signing off and being able to fly solo and everything in between.