scubanurse

Cite it properly, not sure about the legal issues though. Or upload to google docs and email us the link! I think it said you can download a hard copy PDF...

I can look when I'm at school later, maybe I can get them to buy the article for me... University libraries have magical powers sometimes.

Neat! I wonder what prompted them to pair glucagon and epi? Did they find a dramatic drop in glucose levels during cardiac arrest?

If you want to look at a dysfunction department, look no further. I have a few good friends who work for DCFD and they are outraged by this. My parents have a condo in DC too and I've told them to just drive to WHC instead of calling 911 unless it's really catastrophic. It's just sad and pathetic in my opinion.

Does this mean you're going to go for it?!

I had a patient fall from a standing height fracture both of her femurs, both tib/fib and a pelvic rim fracture.

Current literature refers to fall from standing height or greater in most cases. Every pt will be different in what constitutes a serious fall.

I've fallen from 12 feet off roof edge and had nothing more than a sore butt .

For a little old lady with osteoporosis a fall from standing height has a much greater probability of serious injury to legs, hip dislocation , pelvic fracture or compression fractures to the spinal column.

Yeah that is a downside, and MD can be a PITA for reciprocity as I recall...just a thought though.

I know a few decent volunteer departments around you... easy commitment usually with some of the fun still mixed in.

Right, that's one of the things that I think holds EMS back as a profession is no unifying body to represent and lobby on its behalf.

Don't rule out transfers completely. You gain confidence in your skills and knowledge this way rather than being throwin into the mix of 911. It's a good chance to learn more about diseases and conditions as well.

My brain is now closed after 5 12's in a row.

My thoughts were immediately to my family in that area and cousin who worked at that mall, but then to you guys. I'm really glad y'all are safe, I hope that your daughter will be able to process these events, but don't be afraid to look at counseling options and let her school know what she experienced so they can be alert for any changed. Glad the MD drivers were courteous for once!

I don't get sarcasm sometimes and I was really really tired at 0300 local time.

In order to answer this question you need to define the terms "profession" and "organisation". I would submit that while I have met many people in EMS whom act in a professional manner, we are a vocation and not yet a profession. Our barriers to entry at both the paramedic and EMT levels are quite low. We have little control over the direction of changes in clinical care, and ultimately report to EM/Cardiology.

There may be countries where the move towards professionalisation is more advanced, e.g. some parts of Aus/NZ where Bachelor's degree entry-to-practice is becoming the norm, or the UK with their consultant paramedic and paramedic practitoner roles, parts of Scandinavia where the paramedics are essentially nurse-practitioners, or the countries where EMS is provided at the advanced level by specialist physicians. I doubt anyone would argue that an anesthetist working on a French SAMU ambulance meets the traditional definition of a professional, for instance.

We talk a good game in EMS about how professional we are, but when you can become an EMT in less than six months, and most paramedics have less education than a plumber, it's not that meaningful.

This isn't a slam on the vocation/occupation, more a recognition of the opportunity for growth and transformation.

** Or a slam on plumbers, who intermittently stop my house from flooding. But if all we define professional as, is someone who makes money from a specific job, then "professional paramedic" may mean little more than "professional exotic dancer".

What a well thought out post.

The definitions we're using come from a great book I suggest to anyone in leadership/management roles True Professionalism By David Maister. Our class came up with a fluid definition that professionals seek out more information and education to better perform their job role, seeks to improve the public image of the profession, and has an overseeing and unifying body for the job.

EMS can fall into profession under this definition, except maybe for the overseeing body. EMS has NREMT, but not every state recognizes it and it isn't controlling regulations the way I think some would like.

It was just an interesting discussion and thought I would carry it to EMS.

Are you not doing a full assessment on your patients?! Or was that sarcasm?

I also always keep a binder. A professional portfolio of sorts. Divided into sections: certifications, recommendation letters, professional associations, published papers, and continuing education. Keep copies of EVERYTHING! I had one for ems and now have one for nursing that way if I need a copy of a license or certification, it's right where I know it is and I never have to go searching for it.

Thanks bud!! I thought I was a sponsor but guess not?? I thought it automatically re-upped the membership. I'll have to remedy that later today when I'm more awake.

Man that sucks! I hope it gets worked out for you!

Sorry about the negative... I accidentally clicked it and can't undo it!

In writing a paper for my professional development class, I just had to explore whether nursing was a profession or occupation and I thought I would pose this question to this group as well.

Is EMS a profession or occupation? This thread isn't about education, though it can evolve that way, but not in the mind-set of what's better as that's a very dead horse here. I'm more curious to see what people's idea of what a profession is versus an occupation and see where EMS would fit in there. Keep it civil

Best of luck!!

I do believe I gave a straightforward response... You will go over it in the class...

You should go through the pre-test in the class.

Bored much?

My post was also not to discourage you, just present you with my experience of having been a paramedic and now being a nurse. It really does not help you, and in some cases may hurt you. Some instructors I had frowned on the fact that I already knew certain things and could get basically any IV they challenged me with, already understood EKG concepts they were teaching. It helped me in some ways for those reasons as well, but it certainly has not helped me get a job at the trauma center like I had hoped. I have a great job now though but in a sub-acute setting, which isn't what I had hoped for and I have my BSN. I work with a lot of BSN's and know of ADN's who still do not have jobs as they are unwilling to look at long-term care. If that doesn't concern you and you are happy in a long-term setting, then ADN is perfect.