medik8

Uh...yeah....a lot of unanswered questions here, but the way I see it....we all get tired of our job on occasion and just want to go home...but the fact is, our job is to save lives and help people in need. If a call comes in at the end of my shift, yeah...you'd better believe I'm cussing under my breath on some days :angryfire: (others no), but I pick my stuff up and get on the truck. It's the only way, as far as I'm concerned. Now, if the other crew was sitting in their chairs looking at me, then they would have to take it. Like everyone says, unanswered questions. I would not let them repeatedly screw me over. However, if they didn't get on the truck, I wouldn't let it jeopardize someone's life. I would go on the call, and then deal with them at a supervisory level later.

It's sad and unfortunate, but no, they don't belong in this profession. As mentioned by those above, lung sounds, scene safety issues, general communication..... There's no way someone with this disability can do the job to suit the needs of the patient and their co-workers. A lot of times, there are only two crew members on an ambulance. Not at all trying to be rude, but I would not want to depend 100% on that person as a partner. Their intentions may be well above any normal partner you may have, but their limitations are what counts. Possibly a desk job in EMS, or some other form to accommodate them...just not in the field. Too many mistakes and liability. I don't see how it could work, even with the best of attitudes or intentions.

I don't mind being "there" at all...in fact....I love it when I'm "there"... I dream about being "there". The person below me likes to wear granny underwear hiked up to the chin.

Hey...now....guys.....don't hold size against us small folks. :oops: I am in great shape, and can pretty much pull my own weight...however....yeah...because I'm not very tall or big, it sometimes IS a disadvantage for me, but it doesn't mean I'm bailing out on my fair share of the work. Sometimes it's just more difficult for me...but you'd better believe I'm going to give it my all....or die trying.... :wink:

Hampton...My primary job is in EMS, then in off-time, work another part time EMS job, as well as teach EMTs and another job that's just here and there, not EMS related. I work so much with teaching and the other EMS job, in my off-time because I love it so much. But, the other part is, (drum roll)....yeah....the pay. And you're right...it sucks here. Probably just about more than anywhere else. :?

Good points, Hampton. Security is important. I'm not young, and it's hard....(and I should mention that I have 4 jobs to make it work, 3 of which are in EMS). I have to follow my heart, because otherwise I'm miserable...but it definitely is not easy...ever... A lot, too, depends on your cost of living and where you are located, size of family, etc. Ya do what ya gotta do...and go from there...

:wink: Hi Samson... First of all, you've come to the right place. This City has a bunch of great people with many years of experience and wise advice. Although views and perspectives vary from time to time (as in any case), we'll help you all we can. The variety of posts you will receive will help you see all sides of your situation and hopefully, give you the help you need. Everyone in this business falls prey to what you are experiencing when they are new. Even those of us who seem to be "naturals" are at one time or another doubting our abilities inside. I know I did. :shock: As I recall, I didn't feel any real rock solid amount of confidence until I was into EMS at least two years. There are still times when I've had a particularly stressful call or bad day, that I beat myself up and wonder...did I do the right thing, or could I have done something different. All these second guesses lead to the possibility of developing lack of confidence, although, I feel it IS important to be a critic of yourself. It keeps you thinking, and evaluating your performance, and therefore, helps you to become an even better EMT or medic. To always keep learning...that is the real challenge I try to give myself to be the best I can be. There is always something that I can learn better, or in a different way. We all can. I notice in your post that you say that you really want to make this work more than anything. You definitely have the right attitude. It sounds like EMS is in your heart, and that's the first step to being good at what you do. But, you also mentioned that you never quit at anything. These two statements are alike, but kind of different in that...I just want to make sure that this is what you want to do, first and foremost. If you are hanging around just because you don't want to be a quitter...that's not really the right reason. Although, I seem to gather that you want to do this. After you determine that, then don't give up. Some of us may be better at something than others, but we all have the ability to do what our heart desires, you just may have to work a little harder at it. My advice to you is to sit down in a quiet place and be honest with yourself. Ask yourself what it is that you feel you are not confident about. Is it patient care, deciding on proper care, assessment? Are you BLS or part of an ALS team? Are you familiar with your truck? Are you comfortable with how everything works? There are many questions here. Some contribute to lack of confidence, and will smooth out in time. Education can be a key. Is it that you are nervous on calls? If ALS, when a medic asks you to provide care, do you panic? Do you know how to do what you are asked to do? Do you work with individuals that make you uncomfortable? I'd like to know what it is that makes you feel uncomfortable, exactly, and then I feel I can have a more productive discussion with you. I've had new partners that I could tell, in the first minute of a call, that they were nervous, scared, and/or disorganized. A year later, after providing some opportunities for frank discussions (away from work), extra training on equipment or interventions that made them apprehensive, reassurance, and positive coaching, some of those same people are my best partners now, and you'd never know they ever had a confidence problem. Sometimes it just takes someone to genuinely care, and listen. I may not have all the answers, but I promise I'll give it my best shot. Expand on your thoughts a little. I'd like to help all I can. :wink: 8

:roll: Didn't think so...

Oh YEAH!....that's what I'M talkin' about! Way to GO, Jake! You will be just fine. I have faith!! :wink: (Besides...I'm gonna need your support when I do the Critical Care classes this fall) lmao....EEEEKKKKK..... You knew there was a catch, didn't ya? xoxo 8

Well....I've done it both ways, folks....and no matter how you slice it....I end up with the same result. I had a higher paying supervisory office job, and worked EMS on the side for a while. I found myself HATING to get up for my other job, and at the end of the day, even though I was dog tired, I couldn't wait to get to my other job and start my EMS shift...working until the a.m., and then going back to my higher paying job again. I was miserable all the hours I wasn't doing EMS work, and was literally killing myself trying to be "happy" making more money, just to find out that I hated life, and had no time to spend the money anyway. There was no logical choice but for me to go back to doing what I love. The pay sucks....there's no doubt, and it needs to change...and eventually I think it probably will, however, I have my heart, soul, mind, body, and every inch of my being into EMS. You couldn't lure me away for all the money in the world. It's what I love to do. I am not happy anywhere else....I've tried. It may not be for everyone, but money means nothing to me. I, like Rid, don't have a lot of financial debts. As long as I have the basic necessities of life, I'm a happy girl. I won't be making a change, EVER. It's where I'm happy. It's where I belong. :blob7: 8

Just plain sad.....I love animals too....and would do anything to help save one.

OMG......this is so fitting..... 1. I am absolutely TERRIFIED of clowns. (I'm with ya reaper) 2. I am so scared of spiders that if one falls on me or crawls by me....I pass out. Seriously guys...I know it's sick....but I do. I CANNOT deal....no matter how hard I try. I wake up a few minutes later with everyone laughing at me. 3. I am very claustrophobic. Do not board and collar me if you run across my accident. I will spaz..... lmao 4. I HATE HATE HATE HATE HATE HATE the sound.....of aluminum foil. It drives me NUTS! OK....now that I've completely exposed myself.........go ahead and make fun....I can take it..... lol :roll:

There are a lot of good points here. Most of my college work before EMS was in counseling and I've completed several internships in Psychiatric/counseling inpatient facilities. I have also completed several internships with Juvenile Detention facilities. I've personally dealt with the suicidal death of two individuals, one very close to me, as well as many many cries for help over the years, mostly from teenage kids. I am currently, this very minute, dealing with a situation very personal to me of the same nature. I used to get angry also. I used to think those individuals were cowards. I used to think the whole act was a very selfish one, at best. In some ways, it is...but to those suffering, they can't see the rationale. Most of the time, it is never their intention to hurt anyone. They are just so desperate for the pain from their own personal hell to end that they will do anything. Sometimes, as mentioned here already, they don't mean to be successful, but they are. This has become my "specialty" in EMS. For some reason, I have the gift of ability to walk into one of these situations, and to sit and talk to the individual, and by the time we talk, and get to a facility, they are crying, hugging me, saying they don't really want to die, but the pain of (insert event or problem here ) is too much to bear. I've had patients (one just 2 weeks ago) tell me recently that if I hadn't talked to them at that time, they are almost certain they wouldn't be alive now. Sadly, I also lost one a week before that. It was too far "in progress" by the time I arrived. These situations now bring a whole new form of anger for me. No longer anger because I don't want to help, but anger when I can't make a connection, which thankfully rarely happens to me. There are so many problems causing suicidal thoughts...medications that need adjusting, clinical depression, bipolar disorders, etc... Some are so very correctable, if someone has that someone to lean on just for that moment, someone they can trust to get some help. It would be so so easy for all of us to write these individuals off as "nutbags" or "freaks" or "psychos"...however, like Rid said, and he said it well....our job is to help people. These people have an "illness" just like a diabetic, or someone with a nosebleed, or the flu, or a heart condition. Either way, there is treatment available. Someone just has to be willing to help.

Hmmm....This is a toss-up between safety (which I'm very big on), a clean truck....but probably most importantly, the way my patients are treated. I'm pretty obsessive about that. No unnecessary rudeness to my patients. If you can't handle that, then you need to fix your attitude and find "another way" to deal. OOOhhh...and I can't stand my crew members to look like slobs. If you're working with me, I want the appearance to be professional or you can go home. Tuck the shirt in, wear the belt, comb your freakin hair...and pull the pants UP....lmao....don't leave your boots untied. We are not a traveling circus. We are a profession. *Sorry.....slowly walking away from soapbox...* :roll:

Peacekeeper.... I have an awful back. I have been in 2 horrific car accidents that have left me with chronic back pain and problems. However, I have been in the field for about 12-13 years. There are days that I hurt worse than others. I do not let it get in the way of my performance, jeopardize my partners, or patient care. I keep my weight low and exercise everyday, and work out like nobody's business to keep my muscles strong in my legs and arms. I will warn you that EMS is NOT a profession for someone with back problems, however, I am an example of an exception to the rule. I am a very firm believer in the "you can do anything you set your mind to." I realize I say that at the risk of sounding cheesy....but...it's true. I absolutely REFUSED to fail to pursue my dream due to a physical limitation or problem. This is pretty harsh sounding....but I look at it like this. If I lost my foot tomorrow in an accident, would I quit and give up? HELL NO. I would sit and cry and feel sorry for myself for a while...then I would get up, rehabilitate, find a prosthesis and get right back on the damn truck. (hard headed as I am.....) SO...my answer to you is this. You know your limitations and abilities. No one else does. It's more than a literal question of your physical ability, but also of your mentality. It sounds like you are a lot like me with your thinking that....*but I want to do this....*. If it is your dream....then go for it buddy. You won't know until you try. Just be careful...and take care of yourself. I wouldn't want you to be hurt worse... :occasion5: Good luck! 8

:bootyshake: Sure, hubby. Why not?!! :wink:

ummmmm....why isn't this working for me? Nothing comes up.....am I that much of an angel....thought so... :angel13:

:shock: I'm ...........Honey Hole.....

Yep....Dust is right on. Get the degree...too many unfortunate accidents can happen in EMS....have something to fall back on just in case and do it while you are young enough. It's much harder later, obviously. I'd ditch the phlebotomy thoughts as well...paramedic school will teach you everything you need to know in this respect.

YouuuRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRE RIIIIIIIIIIIIIIGHT! ding ding ding..... I let him eat a peanut butter and jelly sandwich in my bed...though...so that makes everything ok. He should feel privileged, not all broken up about it. Geez....some people are SO sensitive. The person below me has a strange obsession with watching guppies mate, while seated in front of the aquarium naked, eating neopolitan ice cream. yeah.

Well, from how I see it now...I think the NIMS system needs to be executed. Sounds like it has become not only an EMS situation, but now you have a fire, and further rescue situation. SO....first we need an Incident Commander and then below him, we need a fire officer, someone in command of safety, someone in charge of triage, and possibly another branch. Then, below them, we need to place the medics and firefighters. Call for more ALS units and back up fire help, means for extrication, etc. How bout we start there, Frankenstein, so the scene is not chaotic and things are getting done....?? :wink:

Not frequently....but I DO use it... It IS protocol, but there again...sometimes I just "board". It really depends, and as long as the rationale seems to fit the scenario (???), it seems to fly. Don't usually get questioned for not using a KED; but moreso for the absence of a board (which I rarely do).

I don't see it ever being changed. As long as we work under a doc's license, they are not going to put their profession and livelihood on the line for some EMT/Medic in the field who happens to make a poor decision, blindly, and someone doesn't walk again. Too much liability. As frustrating as that is to us, I have to admit I would feel uneasy giving some that power of discretion when it could possibly mean my med. license. Until there is another way........... :?

Well...the protocol police strike in my area, as well. However, we have a couple of docs at the hospital that will "split the difference" if you will... If you can give a good reason why you didn't board, they are willing to listen. Otherwise, you'd better have it in place. It's a touchy subject everywhere, I think. It, literally, is a toss up between protecting your patient or their wishes, and covering your own...ahem... Sad but true. There is nothing I hate more than to board and collar someone who just took a little fall, but is talking, moving all extremities, good PMS, no obvious deformaties, and due to the gash on their head, needs to go to the hospital and is hell bent on walking to the truck, but can't because of me. GRRRRRRRRRRRR.........frustration!!! I feel your pain, Ace. I really do.

I wholeheartedly agree with you, Ace, which is why...I think sometimes we have to make a call, and sometimes decide ourselves what is best for our patient. I, personally, think boards are excellent for extrication purposes, and in cases where you seriously suspect a fx, etc...great... But, to put EVERYONE on one, especially against their wishes, so to speak...hmmm... I've seen them to do "good" as well as "harm". As I said before...unless you are almost damn sure I have a fracture (or other obvious need), I DO NOT want to be on one. I already have a bad back, and tying that in with the "confined" position and not allowing me to move...I would go postal. :x I know that is a personal point of view...but still...