scott33

The kid obviously has an upper resp tract infection with localised oedema

I think you should be assessing a little more before treating. What have you managed to rule out, based on what little you have been told, to arrive at a diagnosis of a URI?

IMI Dexamethasone.

Why?

And to whoever asked why NZ thread was under the UK forum: You must NOT be from the Commonwealth of Nations !

Do they still call it that?

Well, I did, and I am.

Just curious as to why you would even attempt to intubate someone with lividity?

Just what I was going to ask. There is no cure for death, and even with arrests you should assess before you treat.

Only 6 this year.

No, the real joke is that you dug up a 2 year-old thread to say almost nothing that hadn't already been said about it.

Now how the hell did that happen?

It was a joke. Lame, but a joke none the less. Not an original from the OP either (I have read it several times before).

You either found it funny or not.

The real joke however, is that there are probably some dumb arses having read it, who believe the whole "suicide" thing to be true...or are all medical staff in muslim countries female?

Once I finish my degree I look forward to doing a post grad diploma in emergency nursing then venturing onto paramedics (theres a pathway from ED RN to paramedics)

Or you can do what Timmy is doing if NZ have a similar conversion course in place.

You have NY listed as your location. In the U.S. it is a little easier to do both where the Paramedic only requires a few hundred hours of training and the RN is still just an Associates degree for entry level.

So not unlike your situation then?

The OP already has a degree, and has completed one year of both RN and paramedic degrees. She could probably get APL'd / credited for many of the duplicate requirements that she either has, or will gain if she continues with both paramedic and RN classes. It should also be noted that some bachelors degrees are only 3 years long in NZ

As for which one to choose...

Nursing is nursing - a job which will always be in demand regardless of where you do it. A job where if you get tired of one speciality, you can post to something completely different without changing your profession, title, or even your seniority in some facilities. It is also one of the few civilian jobs which can still facilitate certain visas for world travel assignments, unlike the paramedic (degree or not).

It's no secret that NZ Paramedics are moving away from the BLS SJA volly days of old (they do still have them) and into the Australian, British, and Canadian model of degree-based entry for practice. It sounds like it will be a good system to be part of in the years ahead.

On the down side - both jobs can be equally tiring, thankless, messy, smelly (not just RNs that deal with number 2s), often underpaid, and always have the potential to be on the receiving end of physical abuse.

For the OP, I can't advise you to chose one from the other. As I said, if you could do both I would certainly advise it. You don't need to do them at the same time, leave it a couple of years between courses. If you can't - it's your call.

Good luck anyway.

PS, Say "hi" to my Mother if you see her...she lands in Auckland at 1:40pm today as she is spending christmas with my Sis in Whangarei.

So what is the problem with doing both jobs? Lots of us do it.

As for the para-sailing, until they went to "assist", I wouldn't have known.

Ya got me!

It got me too. Clever editing.

Not quite skydiving, but this guy was lucky to escape with his life. Watch to the end.

Here is the school I have been looking at.

http://www.wcu.edu/4637.asp

Universities which give degrees in EMS are like rocking horse 5hit to find, but thankfully those that do, usually have the option for online study.

I am still looking around, and would also welcome credible links.

Oftentimes the EMT basic is the only level that is able to care for even critically injured patients until more highly CERTIFIED professionals arrive.

Correct, many systems have to rely on basics for their entire prehospital care needs. Having 110-hour first aiders at the top of the EMS ladder only shows the flaws of those particular systems, not necessarily how proficient those basics are.

Based on my now 15 years experience with RN's; only about 25% could perform at the EMT level. Only about half of those 25% could perform at or above the skills of a decent EMT-Paramedic.

By "Perform[ing] at the EMT level", are you talking about manual skills such as applying KEDs and tractions splints? Well, yes, most RNs do not need to learn how to use these, although they could easily be taught to a performing chimpanzee. However, I would put any RN, even a lactation consultant, up against a 110 hour first aider to obtain a more comprehensive history and physical exam from their patient.

Most nurses in the United States exit with a R.N. license after two(2) years of rudimentary nursing training. Of course most paramedics are trained for the same two(2) years OR more in ADVANCED LIFE SUPPORT.

Incorrect...citation please

Typical US medics have well over 4000 hours of didactic and clinical training by the end of EMT-B through NR-EMT-P. Of course there is always the exception to the above facts.

Incorrect...citation please.

it is also impossible to hang by ones fingertips all night, no matter how strong you are.

I got my start at Hunter in '02. Dominic was a good guy.

If it is the same guy with "the accent", yeah he is a decent bloke.

I worked for NSLIJ from 3/03 to 10/07, 2 1/2 years BLS, 2 years ALS. Their hiring process has changed from the favoritism practices of past. I had no problem working there. If you're one who has a good work ethic and will do what the employer wants without whining, NSLIJ will work for you. In IFT they want no more than 20 mins from marking onscene to leaving the facility, the same at the 10-81 (receiving facility). If any admin delays, dispatch is to be called immediately. They want your checkout done in 20 mins tops. The PCR nazis will pore over your ppw, and ignorance to protocols, policy & procedures, competent documentation methods and proper billing will be dealt with swiftly.

They do run a tight ship. Not having enough shine on your boots, or having too much stubble will have you falling out of favor in no time. I actually like their attention to detail though, and wish more depts (including the vollies in the area) would follow their example.

NSLIJ and Presby go as far as I've seen EMS go with IFT, compared with most other areas of the country regarding scope and autonomy. If you desire to do "real" IFT, not just convalescent txp, you'll have to become an RN or RRT first.

Presby have a few medics on the pediatric CCT bus. I am not sure of their level of autonomy, or whether they are used more in the supporting role for the peds RN / Doc.

-1 for being an insenstive Jerk!

-1 for needing a sense of humor transplant.

I am not against people that size flying

Me neither...as long as they ride in cargo.

North Shore LIJ EMS have a fairly decent IFT division.

Just wonder if any New Zealand medics out there. Saw a postion posing on the net. What quals are needed to work there.? Thanks for any info. Cheers. Sorry about the spelling. I know first I have to learn how to spell

before I ask for a Visa.

Never mind the spelling. Why is this in the UK forum?

I agree with the above.

The only thing you will need to be in the French EMS system, is an EU driving license. Then you can get to drive the Docs about in the ambulance.

From an EMS career standpoint, France is probably the last country to move to if you are not an MD.

Can't speak for Canada, but I would be surprised if any significant numbers in the UK had come to the US for healthcare. I am not saying it hasn't happened (just like there has probably been many non-insured US citizens go to Canada, the UK, or Continental Europe for their healthcare needs), I just think it is a crazy notion.

Why? Because private healthcare has been freely available in the UK for many, many years. Apparently though, it still seems to be one of the UK's biggest secrets, and people from outside the UK still think the NHS is the only option.

The home grown private options would be considerably cheaper than jumping on a plane getting treatment in the US.

http://www.bupa.co.uk/

http://www.axappphealthcare.co.uk/personal/private-medical-insurance

http://www.spirehealthcare.com/Templates/Pages/corporate_lower.aspx?id=46825

http://www.bmihealthcare.co.uk/

http://www.ramsayhealth.co.uk/premium_care/premium_care_patients.aspx

http://www.hcainternational.com/about-hca.asp

I too would also like to see some concrete figures, to back up what I believe to be a long-standing myth.

How about: The overuse of supplemental oxygen in the prehospital setting, and its potentially harmful effects on the patient.

I have heard that the King County Medic One EMS system is top notch, with a great scope and excellent training. I am currently an EMT working in CA, but would like to work in the Medic One system. Are you employed as a pirvate medic or are you a Fire/Medic with Seattle Fire? Also, what are some quality paramedic programs to go through up in the Seattle area? I am not a fan of the southern california EMS system and would like to start my medic career in WA. If anyone knows of a good medic program please let me know so I can further my research. Thank you in advance for the responses

Yeah, Interesting and progressive service and quite a change from SoCal.

However....

"King County Medic One does NOT operate a Paramedic Training Program. The University of Washington is the sole training provider for all Paramedics in King County."

Your choices are limited to one University. Their initial training is around the 3,000 hour mark

Good luck. Not enough (any?) Medic One bods on these forums.

http://www.kingcounty.gov/healthservices/health/ems/MedicOne.aspx