medicgirl05

I watch it because the guys are HOT. The medical stuff is so wrong it makes me mad.

Are you ready for students then? I do not mean any disrespect, but maybe you are not as comfortable with calls as you should be to have students riding with you. Is this possible?

Also, what about them makes you nervous? Is it that they might make mistakes? Or maybe you are worried about something coming back on you? Maybe you could elaborate on what exactly stresses you out about it?

Also, communication goes well with any relationship, professional or not. This can help you and the student figure out how things might need to go on a scene. Are they the new student, who needs pushing, or the more seasoned student that needs a safety net you may provide... ?

Helping your students learn sometimes means they have to figure things out, slowly. You may be able to start an IV quickly, though the student may need longer to become used to the process (or maybe even the equipment your service uses). I really do not know how to make you more comfortable with having students. You were one, maybe some introspective reflection can help you in dealings with students. Only advice I can give about being able to step back is and relax is to take the right hand, place it on your right gluteus maximus, the left hand on the other, and SIT ! LOL

I think it is mostly that I had really crappy preceptors for the most part. They rarely let me do anything and when I did they made me nervous. I don't want to be like that. I want my students to be able to interact with patients and perform skills. I also want the best patient care possible and I guess I haven't quite found the right balance.

Another issue is that students come and ride with us for just one shift, as they usually ride with a busier service. They are required to do one shift with us though because we have longer transport times than other services in the area, allowing the student to actually see that we can help people, rather than just transporting them. Since I only have a student for one shift, by the time I get to know what they are capable of they are leaving. I may have a basic student one shift and a paramedic student the next.

I have recently had quite a few students on my shifts, and I find that they cause an increase in my stress level. They are really great students, for the most part. I just find that on critical transports I am nervous with my students. I want them to learn and do skills, but at the same time allowing them to do things makes me nervous. I let them take vitals but I don't necessarily trust them so I take them again and feel a little guilty about it.I feel like I'm constantly battling wanting them to learn and my need for things to be done smoothly and efficiently. I get that sometimes it takes them a while to do things but it just makes me nervous.

I'm wondering if anyone has any advice for me? How to just sit back and relax?

Thanks!

I would love to see the protocol you are using. I am not seeing it attached though.

Those results are pretty unbelievable to me, how many codes have been worked total in that time frame?

Ok, I'm curious-what kind of school are you going to that you can take 45 days off?

The basic test is pretty up front. ABC's. I think it is mostly common sense stuff.

If you did well through the course you shouldn't have a problem with the test.

Just remember to relax when you go to take it.

Good luck.

Significant trauma? Which came first, the back pain or the fever?

A herniated disc causing pressure on the sciatic nerve could cause the foot problem, but I'm thinking the fever and elevated white blood count are significant...

Infection causing pressure on the sciatic nerve?

What does the CT show?

Well, I have made a comeback. There were a few chapters where I was completely confused, but chapter 9 came along and I'm back on track. It's funny that getting more information helps me to understand the previous chapters better. I don't know why, but it seems like I work better backwards!

I was having an off day when I posted this. I have such a hard time with some of the people I work with. I work 48 hour shifts so I try to get most of my homework done in my downtime. My fellow employees enjoy teasing me about what I'm doing. When I'm already frustrated and they are telling me what an idiot I am for going to school it all accumulates and makes me super frustrated, then I can't understand anything!

Thanks again!

I would have never guessed that a swollen extremity could be caused by an STD. Very interesting. Thanks for sharing.

I'm finishing my prereqs to get into UTSA's Emergency Health Science program (I've already been accepted-YAY) and I have about three weeks to go in statistics and I'm drowning!!!

I have been getting along pretty well but now I am just really frustrated.

Why do I have to take this course? Has anyone taken it and if so, how did you make it through?

Any hints or assistance would be greatly appreciated!

I'm pretty sure I will pass, but it bothers me that I'm so lost!

Thanks!!!

Hello,

I am a student in California. Currently I am taking a work experience class. Through a series of career aptitude and personality tests, EMT is one of my prospective career matches. I am hoping that someone will be able to help me with an informational interview regarding being an EMT. I may be interested in enrolling in an EMT course next semester. Please help.

1. What sort of education do you have?

When I became an EMT I had just barely graduated high school.

2. What was your career path from college to present? Why did you

decide to follow this career path?

I am currently in college trying to obtain a B.S. in Emergency Health Sciences. I am doing this to create more opportunites for myself in a field I love.

3. What are your basic duties performed during a typical day? Week?

Month? Do you have a set routine? What are the major job responsibilities?

I work for a rural 911 service. I do everything from patient care to sweeping and mopping the station.

4. How much variety is there on a day-to-day basis?

It depends on the shift and the calls you get. Some shifts are relatively the same while others are unique.

5. How many hours do you work?

48-96 a week

6. Does the typical EMT have a set schedule or are the hours

flexible?

In my area it is pretty set

7. Which skills do you feel are most important to acquire?

Communication skills

8. What types of technology are used and how are they used? How

often are changes made when it comes to new technologies?

We use technology to send 12Ld EKG's to ER's. GPS is new in my time and we use cell phones. Changes aren't made that often

9. What educational program do you recommend as preparation? What

kinds of courses are most valuable in order to gain skills necessary for

success in this occupation?

Medical terminology and anatomy are a good place to start. Also an english course would be helpful.

And the tones just dropped so I can't finish. Sorry!

"Here's my medical director's number. You are more than welcome to give him/her a call and discuss his/her choice of protocols."

Luckily, our medical director is also the doctor in charge of the nursing home. I have had her explain our protocols to them. They are not very smart. I have gotten to the point that if we work a code, I have all nursing staff leave the room because they mess with our stuff and get in the way more than anything else.

I have had 2 ROSC as a paramedic. One was never discharged from the hospital. The other is still riding his bicycle around town. Those are among about 4 that I have transported to the ER. Luckily our medical director is great. I have developed a relationship with her so that she pretty much trusts me to do whatever. I call her tell her what I have and what I want and she usually says go ahead.

One of the ground services near us has the option of a jumpsuit but most people don't care for them. They are too hot, at least in Texas. I have some 5.11 pants and they are ok. We wear the 5.11 polo shirts and they are great! They don't need to be ironed, they last forever, and they have pen pockets. What more could you ask for?!

This is how we work codes. I think it works great.

The only time I've ever encountered any resistance is at the nursing home. The nurses don't like not being in charge. They want us to load the patient and go.

I had a compression/end plate fracture last year along with a herniation and was diagnosed with Degenerative Disc Diesease. My surgeon told me I should rethink my career in EMS. I am currently in college seeking a B.S. and hoping my back holds out long enough for me to have a fall back plan.

Whatever you do make sure you are ok with the consequences. Back injuries are serious business and shouldn't be taken lightly. If you pursue EMS make sure you have a fall back plan. I wish I had a fall back plan, then I wouldn't be suffering through shifts while trying to finish college.

Good luck!

Thanks for sharing. I messaged my medical director Happy National Doctors Day and she seemed happy.

Brownie points for me!!!

Dwayne-stay away from those behaviors. You will see your wife soon enough! :-)

Don't disappear. You may learn something here.

Thank you for the nice comments. It is nice to hear that once in a while.

Good luck to you in whatever you do!!!

I think if it is your career and your hobby you may burn out quickly.

What is blood stopper?

I don't think anyone uses ammonia inhalants anymore. At least in my area they are obsolete, I'd remove those.

Another question is do you have a glucometer? I think you should check a blood sugar before administering oral glucose.

There are many forums with this content if you search for it.

I remember the excitiemtent that I had during my Basic course! I couldn't wait to get certified!

Good luck to both of you. It is fun to experience that excitement through others.

If you are competent in your skills then why should you defer them to someone else?

If you have a patient that needs to be RSI'ed and it is within your scope and you are proficient at the skill it seems like you should do it rather than waiting for someone else to do it. You should have protocol in place to cover what you will do if you are unsuccesful at the intubation, so I don't see the part where you are waiting for someone else to do it. If you are maintaining good stats without RSI that's great, but if you aren't your patient needs an intervention and I don't think you should wait.

I took A&P after my paramedic course and was so glad. It seemed to answer questions I had as well as questions I didn't know I had. Good luck to you!

I have a 30 minute transport time at a minimum. Staying on scene for me varies by patient presentation. If I HAVE to get a line and am concerned about getting one en route then I will stay on scene to do that. I generally get 12Ld en route. Patients woth low blood sugar generally get fixed before we even put them in the ambulance. I don't really have anything set in stone as to who I will load and go and who I will stay and play with. I guess it's more of a gut feeling, but it hasn't failed me yet so I'll stick with it.

My partner and I indulge in a Slush Monkey after a particularly stressful call or a long night. It's the same as an ICEE for those that don't know.