Barefootedkiwi

I passed!!!!!!!!!!! It was an easy test. I can't believe I was so worried about it. Thank you all for your support and advice. It helped!!!

Hey everyone, I'm taking my NR paramedic test this week and it scares the h*ll out of me! Does anyone have any advice or suggestions for NR test jitters? Has anyone passed it first try?

Our service, and most of the services in PA are not allowed to do RSI.

Nasal intubation .. yes no maybe? I'm currently precepting and I've nasally intubated twice. Both pt's were unresponsive but had a gag reflex, both were in trismus, both had secretions in the posterior pharynx, both were breathing irregularly and poor O2 stats, for me it worked both times. If it hadn't I was going to resort to a nasal airway and bag the pt. I've found that medics either believe in nasal intubation or they don't and I wanted to get a general feeling as to why. So anyone with experience(s) with nasal intubation care to share? And any tips or ideas that you've found make it more successful or unsuccessful? Thanks, -Barefootedkiwi

I'm having trouble building my confidence in the field. I'm precepting as a medic student and I've been running a ton of calls. I've been spending a ton of time on the trucks ... however I have no real confidence in some of the decisions I'm making. I can handle BLS calls with no problem, I'm okay with chest pain calls and trauma calls and arrests ... rather ... I know what to do and I usually do it on most calls .. however I second guess myself as to if I'm doing the right thing in the right order at the right time. Does anyone have any suggestions that would help me build my confidence? I want to be a good medic and do the right things for my patients, I really do ... I just wish I felt more confident.

He's a partner and not a preceptor ... and I would never do the lasix ... though .. the idea is nice ... its one of those "venting" type thoughts

I keep running into this ... age problem. The medic I ran with today did nothing but put me down, discourage me, yell at me, repeat over and over and over and over and over ... and did I mention that he repeated it over and over and OVER again that, "[i'm] to young to be in this business, [i'm] wasting my time, and people are going to die because they are letting [me] become a paramedic" and then he would top it with the nice cherry of, "you have NO experience and I don't believe you should even be allowed to be in medic class" ... his theory ... "Everyone should have ten years of experience before they even think about starting paramedic class" ... I get his point ... I really do. I've been an EMT for three years now .. okay thats nothing compared to his ... "22 years of experience" ... I'm no where near as experienced as him ... but I haven't been sitting around with a thumb up my butt either. I've run over 1500 calls ... and thats just working as an EMT ... as far as my precepting goes .. I've run over 250 calls in the past three months learning to become a paramedic. I know I don't have that much experience ... but I have some. I haven't seen it "all" nor will I ever, but to say that I'm going to kill people because I'm to young and inexperienced? Is he serious? I want more than anything to become a medic and a *good* medic at that. Why? Lots of reasons, generically .. but full heartedly I want to help people. EMS is just want makes me feel .. "right." It's what I love, pay sucks, but I love helping people, its what makes me tick. I know I have a lot to learn, but don't we all? I know I'm not going to have all the answers, but does anyone? I might be young, I'm 19 .. woo hoo .. big woop ... but does age really matter THAT much in EMS? Sure ... a lot of medics have been medics longer than I've been alive ... but give me a chance. I might be 19 .. but I'm willing to learn and I want to improve and become a *good* medic. Why does my age have anything to do with being a good or bad medic? So in essence should I give any weight to what my a$$hole of a partner said? And how do I deal with mr. butthead tomorrow? ... its very possible that my 5'2 self will kick his 6'6 arrogant POS medic-a$$ tomorrow if he keeps up with the "you're going to kill people" .. and "I wouldn't trust you with my cat!" etc etc ... okay so maybe I won't get violent with him while I'm on duty ... but who's to say some lasix won't find its way to his coffee? :angel7: I hope all is well, Happy Holidays, -BareFootedKiwi in PA

I agree with everyone else: A-Fib ... what's the pt's PMH? and meds? Sometimes those two help with "ambiguous" strips.

Hey everyone, I'm an EMT who is paramedic school. I am a few days away from finishing my first semester in a two semester medic program, and I've been wondering as to how to prevent "super-medic-itis". I feel almost silly posting, but figured that it couldn't hurt. I'm really worried about becoming on of those "super medics," you know, the ones that everyone hates. I've seen the "super-medics" who think they are higher and better than god, those of whom have no issues being pure ... buttheads. I don't like them and I know my fellow partners and EMS personnel dislike them also. How do I prevent myself from developing such an attitude? I'm just really worried about turning into a cocky arrogant rude "super-medic" that is to high on their horse to see anything. So in essence I'm guess I'm asking how does one remain humble while still being a confident, intelligent, knowledgeable, competent paramedic who wants the best for her patients? I know that I am just a student and I'm not a medic yet, I know that I haven't seen everything. I know there are guys and women in this profession who have boots older than me ... I accept that and I really enjoy working with the older more experienced medics. I'm developing my clinical judgement, patient assessment skills, and knowledge base along with the psychomotor skills etc ... I just don't want to develop "super-medic-itis." I don't want to develop the "all-mightier-than-thou" attitude .. I'm just not sure how. Any advice, insight, suggestions etc would be greatly appreciated!!! I hope all is well!! Stay safe and warm! -BareFootedKiwi

I've had a few abuse cases; husband beats the crap out of his wife; girlfriend attacks boyfriend with stiletto heels; father hits his kid with a baseball bat. No matter what, they suck and I hate them. They are my LEAST favorite type of call and I'm finding them harder and harder to deal with. I can handle the medical patients we get; everyone has to get old sometime. I can handle the "stupid" things people do like, stick their "manhood" into one of those one liter aquafina water bottles, or the drive their car into a telephone pole because they were texting. But the domestic and sexual violence calls? They irk me. I'm finding that I don't really know how to deal or cope with them. How can society be so bad and evil? How can people be so cruel and mean? Does anyone ever feel like we are the only "good guys/gals" out there? How do you all deal with domestic abuse and sexual violence? One of my friends flagged me down tonight because her boyfriend beat her up, I took her to the gas station down the road so that her friend could come and pick her up and that she would be safe. She told me who her boyfriend was; just so happens that I know him, and to be honest I want to go and ring he neck out. Not that me seeking retribution would be of any help, its just that I am "THAT" angry at him for being so cruel and mean. In essence I'm asking how you suppress the anger and hatred for the scum of the earth. Even better, how do you take care of them in the back of your ambulance without being biased? I guess in these instances, the less I know the better, because I'm not supposed to pass judgement on my patients, but do all of them deserve the same level of sympathy and empathy, understanding and concern? I'm just all up in there air .. any input would be nice! Thanks!! -BareFootedKiwi

Hey everyone, What are some of the superstitions in EMS that you have? For me its saying "We've had an easy/slow day." Taking off my boots and every time my medic goes to bed it seems that we get a call. One of the medics I work with swears if he eats spaghetti-o's we'll get slammed for the rest of the day. Haven't tested that one out, but he swears by it. So what are your EMS superstitions?

a suburban ems company in pa

one dumpster one sign

I have taken EVOC ... pretty much its just going over rules and regs then you take a test and then you do an obstacle course. I passed both with 100% ... but after that it is up to you employer to do the rest of driver training. I wouldn't say my company is "strict" about clipping signs and the what not, for the most part they are pretty understanding. I think the issue really comes down to the fact that I clipped the sign and then later that night had a really really really really REALLY bad call and forgot to tell one of my bosses that I did indeed clip a sign. No biggie in the spectrum of things. And as far as the whole "dumpster thing" goes, I was backing up in a parking lot where the dumpster had been off loaded while we were in the hospital tx'ing the pt. I "hit" it with the back step and all three of us in the truck were like "what the *choose a word here* was that?" It's still there and called the "magically appearing dumpster" ... which just illuminates another flaw .. no one told us said ER was having MASSIVE renovations done to it

Hey everyone, So the question I pose: Have you ever hit a sign? I'll be honest I have. I'm a new driver, I'm a "baby EMT" by my own admittance ... yeah I'm learning! So I clipped a sign and now I'm catching a whole bunch of sh*t ... you know ... normal EMS manner ... so I did what every smart @$$ does .... I asked my fellow crew members if THEY'VE ever hit a sign. Of course they all said that they've never hit a sign ... :roll: .. so ... clip any curbs and get a sign to boot? I did. And to be honest, I backed into a huge roll-off dumpster; I didn't hurt anyone and they were minimal scratches ... if any ... on the truck ... so if people want to get all uppidy about stupid bs like that .. I should just take the new truck instead of the oldest truck next week ... Am I alone in the world of EMS driving? I don't really think I am but I figured I'd ask ... ever hit a sign? *edited for vague terminology* In terms of "hitting" a sign, I mean clipping it with the end of the truck. I was backing down a road and hit a sign that was on a telephone pole. Well, I backed down the road without hitting the sign, when I left I didn't take the turn wide enough and scraped the back end of the truck on the sign; I forgot it was there but I was mos definitely not the first person to hit it ... but that doesn't really matter. So ... have you ever clipped a sign?

Hey! Are there any Center for Emergency Medicine in Pittsburgh Pa, paramedic students or alums here? I'm attending the 08-09 paramedic program and was wondering if there were any other CEM students! If so send me a PM!

We've had the same issues in my service. We have six or so apartment buildings that you are describing and all have their own rules. It's gotten to the point that we have had to have several (arduous) meetings about it ::rolls eyes:: currently the consensus from those meetings is that the EMS crew on scene is to call for additional police back up so someone is present and holding the door open. Stupid if you ask me; makes our LEO's realllllll happy to back us up but that's the bosses say .. so we have to do it ... even if its stupid and, in my eyes, a miss use of local resources.

Hey everyone, So I am again searching for new steel-toed boots that are EH certified and have a side zipper. Anyone have a brand of boots that they like? Also I'm considering going from a 8inch boot to a 6inch or oxford type shoe. Does anyone have any experience with both kinds? Any advice? The company I work with doesn't have any requirements other than steel-toes and EH. I'm looking for a comfortable durable boot.

Hey, As far as pants go, I wear guy pants because I don't like the way women's pants fit. I tired Galls and Chief Supply's womens pants and both seemed rather thin and they weren't durable at all!! However switching to men's pants I've noticed a better fit and durability seems better. As far as the knee pads go, unless you are on your knees a LOT, I find them to be a nuisance. I used to use knee pads but after a month and only really being down on my knee three or four times, I found them a pain. If you really want a durable womens pair of pants, North Eastern Uniforms has never failed. I bought a pair from NE and they lasted a long time however I didn't like the fit; which is personal thing. You might want to give these a try anyway, here is a link http://www.neuniforms.com/newindex.php Hope this helps!! -BareFootedKiwi