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should we do away with EMT certification


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Paramedics are there to stabilize and transport. To open up the scope for an AS degree you'd basically be turning them into RN's/LPN's(LVN's). EMT-B's are there to assist Paramedics. Neither are trained with the expertise to perform grossly life saving techniques that Doctors are. None will be supervised by a Doctor like an RN would in performing certain techniques.

Since EMTs (B, P, other letters) are operating without direct supervision of a physician, shouldn't that mean that they should be more self reliant and need more education than an RN who operates under direct supervision?

Furthermore, I present that there are numerous services out there that utilize the EMT-B level for general ambulance operations for both emergency service and interfacility service (which can include emergency calls itself). Therefore, I offer that EMT-B serve a much greater role than as a helper for EMT-Ps (although basics do save paramedics from doing manual labor). Unfortunately, the level of education that EMT-Bs have is only about enough to prepare them to be an organic blood pressure machine for medical calls.

I've already said this before, but we'll never get rid of EMT-B's because private company's can pay them minimum wage. An EMT-B and Paramedic responding to a call that isn't multiple patient is essentially doing the same thing an EMT-P/EMT-P team would. The only way you'd see EMT-B's getting eliminated is if EMT-P's took a pay cut.

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Ugh, I'm not going to keep debating a topic that has no solution against multiple people. I've stated my opinions, though you've constrewed some of them inappropriately. But I don't have the patience to try and defend and/or explain what I mean to a bunch of people.

You win.

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well, I agree. Dirty black socks has no field experience. If he did, he would realize just how lacking RNs really are. No, Paramedics don't need extra training, they already have a base knowlege above what RNs do. Ivasive, goss life-saving skills, every day. It's what we do.

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well, I agree. Dirty black socks has no field experience. If he did, he would realize just how lacking RNs really are. No, Paramedics don't need extra training, they already have a base knowlege above what RNs do. Ivasive, goss life-saving skills, every day. It's what we do.
Wait what? Could you outline the base knowledge of each?

Academically, I can get the base knowledge of a paramedic in about 4-6 months of full-time school at the paramedic schools around here. Don't pretty much all RN's need to take full college courses like microbiology, A&P, etc?

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"well, I agree. Dirty black socks has no field experience. If he did, he would realize just how lacking RNs really are. No, Paramedics don't need extra training, they already have a base knowlege above what RNs do. Ivasive, goss life-saving skills, every day. It's what we do."

Sure you are not confusing skills with education? You can teach anybody to perform an "invasive life saving skill."

Take care,

chbare.

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Wait what? Could you outline the base knowledge of each?

Academically, I can get the base knowledge of a paramedic in about 4-6 months of full-time school at the paramedic schools around here. Don't pretty much all RN's need to take full college courses like microbiology, A&P, etc?

RN's require an AS degree along with Microbiology, Anatomy And Physiology 1 & 2, Developmental Psychology ect.

While the day to day experiences of a Paramedic and RN might be similar. RN's have a superior knowledge to Paramedics. I don't need field experience to tell you that. Your basic RN can challenge a Paramedic course with little to no problems straight out of school. I doubt your average guy is going to be able to pass the State Board for RN Licensure straight out of Paramedic training.

EDIT: That's somewhat misleading of me to say. If you were to compare say an RN who specializes in working in the ER; with a Paramedic. Which I think is a fair comparison.

I have several RN's in my family, as well as Paramedics. I know a little bit of what I'm talking about. I just don't have any field experience outside of roughly 5,000 hours working as an Army Medic.

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The focus of the RN is different, I would say the foundation of sciences is much stronger with an RN versus a shake and bake medic. (A&P, core science and math courses, microbiology, etc.) I am not sure that an RN would be able to challenge the NREMT-P exam process as a new grad. The focus of core nursing care is so different from that of the paramedic that most new grad RN's would not be successful IMHO.

Edit: I would not compare an ER RN to a paramedic. Again, the focus of care and environment is very different. Understand, this observation is from somebody who has several years of ER experience in addition to EMS experience.

Take care,

chbare.

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