i thought this may be a fun question...if you could (rn's), would you do a ride along with paramedics at least once in your career? why or why not?
and paramedics...would you want a rn to do a ride along? why or why not?
i have seen so much separation in teamwork over nurses and paramedics...which i find to be a waste, and i really felt that if nurses did a ride along or two with paramedics (and paramedics on a round with nurses) teamwork would really improve in some places :).
one of my fellow nurses at my facility and i were treating this patient who was having an obvious stroke. the other nurse was for some reason, more concerned about canceling the patients dialysis appointment for the day, and the ride that was going to take him. seeing this was her priority i totally let her, and i dealt with the situation at hand..the patient! paramedics arrived in time to see first hand a droop in progress, and really clenched the deal (he was just slurring speach when i got to him). we got him on the stretcher and off they went fast!
the nurse came back just as they were leaving and stopped them in the doorway out and said "you are taking him to ____ hospital aren't you?" and since that hospital was over 20 min drive vs another closer hospital (5 min) with the equipment necessary..they said no. she got so upset and said "as a registered nurse for the state of oregon, i outrank you, you will take my resident to _____ hospital.." oh i tweeked! i grabbed her, winked at the paramedics (who know me) and said...we need to talk now!
i explained to her their protocol and the very good reason for that choice...closest cat scan wins! she disagreed and said "paramedics are not trained well, and they don't know what is best for the patient..." i about died! if i thought that she wouldn't be a royal pain in the keester i would set her up on a ride along and show her what it is really like, she would never doubt their profession again! (on another case she lectured the paramedics about wiping an iv site in a 'circular motion' and about lost her head!!!).
maybe not her in particular, but i think it would really be a great learning and benifical thing for nurses to experience!
