Mastabattas

I have an accounting degree myself. I completed it a few years ago. Never pursued my actual certifications as a CMA because I knew a while ago that I had lost interest in that career. But the knowledge is good and snug under my belt.

My decision to go into EMS happened less then a year ago and I'm well on my way (in EMT school now with just a couple months before practicum).

What I know for sure...is that a base knowledge of business will serve you well whatever career you pursue later on. It will make transferring into a non field position in EMS down the road possibly easier. You have a solid foundation of understanding for the hows and whys of what is going on administratively in any service.

As well...actually completing the current degree will be a good example of your level of maturity and commitment to future employers. Not to mention making your mom happy.

And finally, your degree in business will provide you with a means to supplement your income while you're in school, or while you are working less then fulltime hours in EMS. It is a safe and reliable crutch to fall back on.

Does it have to be a movie? How about something from a commercial??

Trix Cereal commercials for the longest time (maybe even still?):

"Siwwy wabbit! Trwix are for kids!"

Or another fave that a friend uses whenever we joke about how strong she is (for a small gal):

"Sheeeraaaa! Princess of power."

Thank R/r... makes total sense. I'm curious about this... I'll google myself of course but do you know any specific references that discuss this any further?

anyone that has received D50W can attest the rebound is painful

R/r... can you expound on this 'rebound' thing? I have learned about the irritated vein but nothing regarding 'rebound'.

It seems to me that nurses should know better than to even ask for numbers like this. Yes, there are "normal" ranges for vital signs, but -as we all know- deviation outside of those norms isnt always cause for concern by itself. How about instead of providing these people with rigid, black and white objective guidelines, find a way to help educate them on the concept of "clinical presentation" instead.

I would have to agree with this. And I agree that the reason they are asking for something like this is also important.

If they are looking for finite numbers as a way of determining care then I worry. To say Pt X has VS of XX and therefore requires THIS care... without actually considering how the Pt presents is dangerous. Classic BLS scenario. Pt with slight ALOC, able to maintain airway, known diabetic, BGL comes back as 1.2... are you going to give him Oral Glucose or D50W? I have a friend who presents like this EVERY time. He can take the Oral and be fine. But if Nurses are looking for something that say black and white what care is rendered...frankly I would be scared to let them care for me (or my patients).

As instructors are always reminding us: treat the patient, NOT the machines... then so should we treat the patient above the vital signs.

Ok...AHA as far as I could tell was useless for this particular request.

What about this though: http://medicine.ucsd.edu/clinicalmed/

It's "Scholarly" AND clinical based...

I'm going to go check right after posting this...but for some of those, couldn't possibly the AHA be one source? Or maybe that's not the kind of source you're looking for...

Another thought is... find a textbook and find what THEY source.

Okay...off to AHA to explore for myself.

I realize this isn't an entirely helpful post...but you got ME thinking and for now it's all I've got. I'll ask around with some of the peeps that might know better...

Heah DUST,, I just curious ,, how did you practice IM and SQ on each other ? Saline ?..... we used oranges and dummies for that ...

Your question is for Dust...but likely the answer is the same as mine:

We practiced IMs and SQs on each other using Saline.

Congrats Canuck!!!!

^ classic

Kind of like when I was in COLLEGE BIOLOGY a girl in the back of the class raised her hand and asked what copulation was.

If we're talking about things said in class...a guy in my EMR course, taking it to be a fireman...and the boy turned out to be my study buddy (still is) and quite smart..said my favourite thing thus far.

In class as we are reviewing the patient assessment sheets so we understand everything that we need to memorize...we get to the pelvic assessment...list of items to check for includes of course..."pubic bone stability"...so buddy puts up his hand:

"where's the pubic bone?"

I'm sitting there stunned...thinking..."Really?!"

So as the teacher is explaining in a slightly awkward fashion because he's actually younger then most of us and sadly a little immature...I put my hand up and speak to buddy saying:

"Sweetie, if you haven't bruised it at least once with some girlfriend, then you ain't doing it right."

Seriously, I love the guy...and he is SMART...and bloody hot too for the record...but yeah...that was one of his many classic moments deserving the traditional pat on the head saying "at least you're cute".

One of the best teaching techniques I have utilised is to force my students to go for the hard shots. Let them set up the IV and choose their vein, then tell them to choose another one, eliminating the easy shot. Make the AC veins "off limits" until they have at least tried one blind or difficult shot distally. If all they do is go for easy shots that don't even require tourniquets, they'll never get any better. I make them take blind shots at the cephalic vein on the wrist, going by feel. After a couple of successes at that, their confidence is greatly increased, as is their technique.

Dust that's almost EXACTLY what NAIT had us do.

We did our IV's and SQ/IM shots on Dec. 9th/10th. AC was only allowed if you'd already gotten two successful starts. All 'pokes' were on eachother...no exceptions.

Our SQ and IM's were easy. We did one each also on and unless there were problems with technique or understanding that was fine.

IV's we were required to get 3 starts before going home. Most of us took a few tries. Personally I had 6 attempts, to get my 3 starts. And I had 5 attempts done on me, all were unsuccessful but my bruising was minimal. We started at the hands and did as many as we could there...then moving up to the wrist, and onward. As it turns out, the vein I found easiest was the one I couldn't see, but could feel: the cephalic.

We didn't have dummies to practice with first, which I would have liked in addition to our 3 human starts...only because it's a lot to learn all at once (the handling of 'tools' as well as poking friends).

But we survived! And for now we're done. I'm hoping to organize with our teachers a chance for a second day for those of us that want more practice. I definitely feel I could use it and don't mind contributing a little coin for the supplies to do it either.

Interesting to note, a friend teaches IV's for a different program here...MRI actually...and he did have them practice on a dummy first before doing their 3 good starts.

For the most part I agree with what everyone has said... so long as your resume isn't miles long leave it in, otherwise it should be the first to come off.

HOWEVER, having said that...anything you put on your resume as a way to sell yourself is open for inquiry. If you can't sell that particular item as a reason to choose you over the numerous others competing for the same position it could prove to be more a hindrance then a help.

I can't speak of the EMS industry by any means, but in my previous life prior to embarking on my own career change, I was hired to assist students in an employment centre, as well as to coach/teach employers how to effectively filter applicants through resumes and interviews.

I'm just in EMT school right now and it was stated loud and clear if we were ever caught within a stone throw of any alcohol while wearing our uniform we would be immediately expelled from our program for life.

Such behaviour would violate school rules as well as the Code of Ethics by our licensing board.

And...this is when we aren't even employed yet. Darn tootin' something should be done about this guy.

Maybe things are done differently in the states, but up here in the Canadian Equivalent (EMR) we had skills books that we had to get signed off for each item including the various splinting devices. This makes hands on time a must. As well we had access to 'play' with the equipment before and after classes as well as during our breaks.

Here in Edmonton...at NAIT...instructional staff were trained over the last couple weeks. Of course it's mandatory that they are also active in the field so I imagine services must be doing this (or have done it already). We were taught the new stuff this past weekend in our EMT school and are being tested on the new standards this week. Consider me recert'ed for the umpteenth time this year!

On a side note...our textbook for EMT School of course was published prior to the changes...Mosby's EMT-I and so now we get the fun task of always referring back to the AHA when references are made. Minor annoyance.

tee hee... mine: "Heidi, was killed by a black bear roaming the woods"

But what's the kicker, is that I ALSO was morphed prior to death because apparently 'Heidi' is a "17-year-old mixed breed dog".

That is and always WILL be the greatest farkin' movie EVER.

What a shocker it'd have been if that had been the trailer!

"Happiness is not a destination. It is a method of life." Burton Hills

2067? I wish!

I have a sinking feeling that if this can't be translated until then, it will be my grandchildren who will be trying to decode my "wisdom" - even my children will be around 80! Ah - it sucks to have the world built around youth (although it was kinda cool a few decades ago)

Ooohhhh Medic my dear.... are you feeling ancient with your bday just around the corner??

You should plan to 'meet' me for a beer one of these eve's. The idea to head to GP is a definite "NO GO" by the big boss man.

I learned the six rights as:

Right Med

Right Dose

Right Time

Right Patient

Right Route

Right Documentation

Ok, my version of the 6 'Rights' of Meds is this:

DR EMT-P

Right Dose,

Right Route,

Right Expiry

Right Meds

Right Time

Right Patient

THEN 3 C's and D

Colour

Clarity

Concentration

and

Documentation

Skip the "Why are you here?" introduction, waste of time and really nobody cares, but themselves. Everyone is there to take the course and it does not matter.... period

With regards to intros in a class, I feel it (as everything else) really depends on the group...the age, the gender, the mix...everything. Take a class of younger folks that are there for any variety of reasons including work requirements etc as compared to a group of 20 people that is mostly a mix of two different work groups and everyone is older (like over 35).

First aid courses require you to splint and bandage another person for practice...depending on your group some may find this intimidating on perfect strangers. Having a quick intro can help break the initial ice. Especially for when it comes time to choosing a partner or group to work with.

Just my thoughts

Each new student I get I like to sit them down at the start of the shift and explain things. The bags are theirs to organise as they wish as long as they have the required stock. They are expected to take a leadership role in patient care although I will be right behind them to make sure they don't kill someone. They should always be the first through the door to introduce themselves to the patient. Also my partner and I will do all the mindless grunt work ie. lugging bags and stretchers. The students should be focusing on patient care.

nsmedic393 Thank YOU for taking that approach. I wish everyone would be so purposeful...I'll bet your students are that much better at what they do because you didn't treat the situation in the same way it was handled for you. KUDOS.

Prime You're not alone in wanting to hear more...great scenario...or maybe my brain is just starting to know more what to be doing...colour me intrigued!

And Medicnorth...I had not heard of that Mammalian Dive Reflex before. That's something that will likely stick with me for life.

Okay. If we're measuring schlongs I may be in the wrong forum BUT here's my $0.02

To tniuqs & R/r on the topic of the colon my understanding is although the colon is often used to introduce a list of items, it should be preceded by a complete sentence or definitive statement which could stand on its own. I understand the reason for this is that the colon is meant to replace the period whilst indicating a list is to follow.

tniuqs I think that might be what you meant but for a couple words reversed?

-battas:

Awww...meanie! LOL

I see what you're saying. It's all good.

And of course I totally see what you're saying.

Sorry to effectively end our portion of the debate. I know you were enjoying it.

Spoil sport! I effectively wasted my entire morning in the office with this! Are you secretly working for my boss?

Ok:

And now back to our regularly scheduled program entitled "differences"