emt-basic good idea to get it before i apply to an ER/ED?

Specialties Emergency

Published

  • Specializes in Flight RN, Trauma1 CVICU STICU MICU CCU.

You are reading page 3 of emt-basic good idea to get it before i apply to an ER/ED?

Specializes in med/surg/tele/neuro/rehab/corrections.

How exciting for you! You're getting so close! After I got my EMT-B license I started working in the ER and just loved it! When I did get my nursing license I was even considered for a job because they wanted to start hiring LVN's. I knew I wasn't ready and was directed to a med/surg position which was a good start for me.

San Diego doesn't utilize EMT-B's in emergencies. They just do transports. But I worked hard for that license too so I'm keeping it up. I"m going to re-test in January to renew. I"m sure you'll do fine on the exam. I need to pick up my old EMT book again and study :)

Specializes in Emergency.
I vote try to work at a tech (CNA 2) instead.

My experience- an EMT-basic is a driver, unless it is a simple case that will go to triage when rolling in the door, or unless they need someone to do compressions. Paramedics will do the rest.

You need more experience. You're here in NJ, so I'm guessing you ride volly. If so, then:

1) You won't always have medics.

2) Even those "simple cases" require assessment and in many cases, interventions. You don't just transport them, you assess all pts, right?

3) Sometimes those BLS dispatches for "not feeling well/feeling weak" get sporty upon your arrival.

3a) see #1.

Aneroo, LPN

1,518 Posts

Specializes in Cath Lab, OR, CPHN/SN, ER.
You need more experience. You're here in NJ, so I'm guessing you ride volly. If so, then:

1) You won't always have medics.

2) Even those "simple cases" require assessment and in many cases, interventions. You don't just transport them, you assess all pts, right?

3) Sometimes those BLS dispatches for "not feeling well/feeling weak" get sporty upon your arrival.

3a) see #1.

In NC, MY experience as a basic was that- basic. Probably had a lot to do with location. Living in a town with a large learning hospital, even the paramedics were limited with what they could do, in order to give the residents more experience in the hospital.

And yes, we should always have medics, at least where I am. Even if I didn't have a medic with me, my scope of practice is limited. In NC, basics can give oxygen, activated charcoal po, the patients own epi pen or nitro, ASA, and one other (can't remember). Yes, you might be able to get a good assessment in, but what a basic is trained to do is much more limited- they're not taught as much in terms of assessment as a medic is.

At least here, if you get the "not feeling well" that turned out to be "sporty", you call for ALS intercept unless you'd be quicker getting to the hospital.

Guess location and local and state protocols really matter here, huh.

Specializes in Emergency/Trauma/Education.
You need more experience. You're here in NJ, so I'm guessing you ride volly. If so, then:

1) You won't always have medics.

2) Even those "simple cases" require assessment and in many cases, interventions. You don't just transport them, you assess all pts, right?

3) Sometimes those BLS dispatches for "not feeling well/feeling weak" get sporty upon your arrival.

3a) see #1.

That reminds me of something I learned in EMT school...

A paramedic can save your life...

but it takes basic skills to save a paramedic!

Aneroo, LPN

1,518 Posts

Specializes in Cath Lab, OR, CPHN/SN, ER.

I can't edit, but wanted to add- by no means do I think medics are brilliant people. There are plenty who somehow made it through school, Lord knows why. There are some who know more than the doctors and I would trust to take care of my child. Same with basics.

I remember having to explain a long leg splint to a medic during skills checkoff. He got really peeved about that. LOL

kevgueni

17 Posts

I'm waiting for permission to sit for NCLEX exam (graduate from nursing school outside US). So while I’m taking EMT-B course. It hives me some help with med. terminology + I’ll get certification.

8jimi8ICURN

231 Posts

Specializes in Flight RN, Trauma1 CVICU STICU MICU CCU.

Just got my National Certification. I'll be looking to work for AMR, they cover the San Antonio region 9-11. I'm starting my last semester of nursing school~ life is about to be very fun! (at work i mean!)

Specializes in med/surg/tele/neuro/rehab/corrections.

Good for you! :D yup you will have fun! I never got to be an EMT on a rig but working in the ER sure was fun. Post back and tell us what your experiences are okay? They have an ambulance company called AMR here in San Diego too. wonder if they are the same?

JD228

36 Posts

Specializes in ER.

Congrats... hope you reach all your goals. Good luck.

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