Article: Paramedics equal to RNs

nurseactivist · Jul 7, 2015

To clarifiy BR 157, what I said was that a clerk can be a godsend in a busy unit. This allows the nurse to care for patients instead of answering phones. There was no connection and I did not state the paramedic should be a clerk. The point was that other disciplines have value. My last statement on the subject as I will not debate with snarky people who intentionally misrepresent what I wrote for their own purposes.

BR157 · Jul 7, 2015

No. If you'd bothered to actually read what I wrote and keep it in context, you would know that.
I stopped reading after this question, as it is clear you only debate in absolutes, which I find irrational and not worth the effort of continuing to respond to beyond this.

I do like to present the facts which were not given by the OP in his initial post. Had some bothered to read the Bills which I linked at the beginning of this discussion, they would have known what was actually being discussed. The Bills presented were real. I fail to see how you can say that is irrational. I also work in the ER with nurses. I know what they can and can not do just like they know my job description for the ER. I am also proud to say almost all of them know what Paramedics do everyday for patients in prehospital and CCT. It seems some commenting here are taking a lot out of context because they do not know what a Paramedic actually does.

BR157 · Jul 7, 2015

Sadly, some nurses facing critical staffing shortages are willing to accept any warm body. Granted a paramedic is better than an extra social worker in the ED. However, sometimes when nurses are performing non-nursing functions, an extra clerk can be a god send. However, we need to defend our scope of nursing practice and I personally do not believe that a paramedic is appropriate in the ED. If we keep giving away pieces of our nursing practice, soon there will be nothing left. The solution is to advocate for adequate nursing staffing.

This post was very clear in its message about Paramedics in the ED.

A Licensed Paramedic in Texas has a degree in Emergency Medicine. Very few nurses enter the ED with education or training in EM. Much of what Paramedics do in the field is also done in the ED. I don't see how you can say they are not appropriate for the ER.

I will say again, READ the actual Bill in its final version which I posted tonight. Learn what a Paramedic is and what they can do within their scope of practice.

This shouldn't be new to any of the RNs who are in TX and several other states either. I have utilized the search function on this website. There are many positive comments made by RNs about working in the ER with Paramedics especially when they can work at their full scope.

But, if I was to use your argument, maybe all Flight RNs and CCT RNs should stay in the hospital and leave all of the transport situations to the Paramedics. Canada rarely has any nurses on transport and that includes the NICU.

At some point you have to see how a team approach might actually benefit the patients.

FlyingScot, RN · Jul 7, 2015

It seems some commenting here are taking a lot out of context because they do not know what a Paramedic actually does.

Ummmm sort of like you not having a clue what RTs do?

BR157 · Jul 7, 2015

Ummmm sort of like you not having a clue what RTs do?

You make a statement but don't offer much else in support of RTs.

I do know what they do from working on flight teams, orientating in the ICUs and working in the ER.

Our Paramedic students are also required to shadow them for a day. That is where much is learned about how limited they are in some hospitals even though a few might want to do more. In the ER there are also a few RNs who had been RTs but moved on to BSN to have more opportunities, more money and be more involved in patient care. There are also many discussions on this forum which provide tons of info about what RTs and RNs do. Some of the comments and links are provided by those claiming to be RTs. One of the RNs and former RT still has an AARC membership and will show the discussions on that website which show frustration in that profession. The discussions on LinkedIn and RT FB pages also paint a troubling picture for that profession.

There probably are RTs out there who still do a lot but health care is changing. RTs are being left out of the money for reimbursement. In Community Paramedic class, it is mentioned about RTs not being reimbursed for their time which is why only 1 or 2 RTs might cover a huge area for a DME.

Let's just look at a few things learned by reading RTs websites, this forum and then checking with national sites like CMS.

RTs are rarely in the ER except to set up equipment.

RNs, Paramedics, Lab, EMTs (with phlebotomy cert) can draw ABGs. Paramedics, RNs and Lab can analyze them.

RNs and Paramedics can assist with intubation by giving the medications and securing the tube. RTs will set up the ventilator if they are in house. C

ritical Access Hospitals (small rural hospitals) may not have any RTs in house even with ventilators or BIPAPs in their tiny ICUs. RNs and Paramedics manage the setup and changes.

RNs, Paramedics and EMTs can do all MDI and nebulized medications in the ER including the continuous ones.

RNs and Paramedics can do the patient respiratory education in the ER.

It is rare to see an RT in a free standing ER. This has been a big discussion on the AARC and LinkedIn websites especially after the KentuckyOne layoff of all RTs in that free standing ER.

In the ICUs, RNs can draw the ABGs, talk to the doctor and then maybe call the RT for a ventilator change. Rarely are RTs required to be in the ICU. They usually just do a vent check twice a shift or every 6 hours.

In some post op heart units, the RT will set up the ventilator but the RN will do the actual ABGs, iSTAT and ventilator management up to and including extubation. The same for some PACUs.

RNs can do the retaping and manage the subglottic suction devices.

Many of the ER RNs are Asthma and COPD Educators. Very few RTs bother to get the certificate since most of the hospital Asthma and COPD certs since the education is done by RN educators. Smoking Cessation will also fall to RNs since they usually will have the CTTS in their group.

RTs are not always required to take ACLS, PALS or NRP. It is sometimes embarrassing to see some of the RTs who do take it struggle especially with the assessment and meds even though they attend a lot of codes. Many just focus on bagging and not what else is going on around them. RNs and Paramedics focus on the whole process.

Very few RTs can tell you very much about the medications being given to a patient except for the RT meds even if their patient is being intubated and on a ventilator.

Very few RTs are on transport teams and almost none on the adult teams. Even some of the big name transport teams are using less RTs now. If they do use RTs, they usually go through the Paramedic course and get their certs and licenses. Some of the Pediatric and Neonatal teams also have Paramedics to provide the intubation and assist the RN with the meds while the RT only does the ventilator setup. The RN and Paramedic may also do the iSTAT.

Note I am using the word SOME. There are probably some RT departments who are managing to stay well staffed and keep the budget balanced but times are changing and RT seems to be one profession which seems to have stagnated. There was even a letter from a well know physician who blasted the AARC (the RT professional association) for doing too little to keep the profession alive.

Most of my observations have been for the ER and clinics since that is where the most opportunities are for Paramedics. RTs have failed to get any bills passed to advance their profession. The telemedicine bill will probably help the RNs and Paramedics much more than RTs since RTs are limited for what they can do in outpatient settings.

It is really easy to get to know another profession when it presents with lots of opportunities for yours. RNs have taken notes on what is happening in the RT world. Now Paramedics are seeing this. Too bad some RTs did not see some of this also.

It is not personal. It is just the health care business and the survival of those who take the initiative to advance their profession.

If you really insist I can link you to the AARC, LinkedIn and some FB RT discussions to confirm my statements. If you know any RTs, if they are members of their association, they can probably log you in for you to read the discussions on their forum. You can also use the search feature on this forum for RT vs nursing discussions where they compare what each do or overlap.

Credit:

I will give credit to the RTs, RNs and RN/RTs who helped me list some of the things on this post.

SummitRN, BSN, RN · Jul 7, 2015

BR157 continues to INSIST that this thread is about a bill in Texas. IT IS NOT. That is just what he wants to talk about.

This thread is about an article on EMS1 that claims that Paramedics are essentially the equal of a RN CEN CCRN.

I expect BR157 will continue to obfuscate, intentionally misinterpret, present strawman arguments, offer false dichotomies, and prove that he has no understanding of what RNs or RTs do. He will continue to insist that only people who of his like mind can possibly understand what a paramedic does... and he will continue to ignore the Nurse/Paramedics who have posted in this thread.

ixchel · Jul 7, 2015

BR157 insists on flying off the handle. I'm not sure if this poster is simply not understanding what they're reading or if they are intentionally responding with irrelevant replies or absolutes that clearly miss the point. Either way, this is a fruitless effort. You've reminded me I didn't unsubscribe from this endless thread.

BR157 · Jul 7, 2015

BR157 continues to INSIST that this thread is about a bill in Texas. IT IS NOT. That is just what he wants to talk about.
This thread is about an article on EMS1 that claims that Paramedics are essentially the equal of a RN CEN CCRN.
I expect BR157 will continue to obfuscate, intentionally misinterpret, present strawman arguments, offer false dichotomies, and prove that he has no understanding of what RNs or RTs do. He will continue to insist that only people who of his like mind can possibly understand what a paramedic does... and he will continue to ignore the Nurse/Paramedics who have posted in this thread.

This is the article link from your first post.

Why paramedics are qualified emergency care providers

This is the first paragraph of that article so you can NOT say that article has nothing to do with the bills in Texas.

There are currently bills before the both houses of the Texas State Legislature which would permit paramedics to work in the emergency department directly under the guidance of a physician, without serving directly under the supervision of a registered nurse (House Bill 2020 and Senate Bill 1899).

You argued against the education and comments of the other Paramedic (Medic_5) who posted here. Most of the others posting have been EMT-Bs (like yourself) and nurses.

You already posted this on an EMT forum and didn't get the responses you hoped for. You figured this would be a great place to stir up comments against Paramedics especially when many people will only read the headlines and not the actual article.

So carry on with your mission against Paramedics who have gotten and education and who are trying to better their profession. Increase the divide between RNs and Paramedics when it should be coming closer together.

TiffyRN, BSN, PhD · Jul 7, 2015

Summit is the OP but he has his own agenda to continue something which the ENA has already apologized for.
I posted the links to the actual bills (Texas HB 2020 and SB 1989) earlier and you can see who the has sponsored the bill.
It really is not that uncommon for Paramedics to start IVs, intubate and given medications when working in the ER.
One thing Summit's discussion did prove is that so few nurses are aware of what is happening in their world when it comes to pending legislation and then get an emotional knee jerk reaction if it is not to their liking.
Join your professional associations and find out what is going on in your part of the nursing world. You shouldn't have to hear about it from the EMS world first.

First of all, apologies for assuming that BR157 was the OP. My mistake.

Now, I did go read your links. Most were online blog posts with little more than commentary. I reviewed the peer-reviewed study, meh. . . not exactly supportive of what I believe the bill was proposing but nice reading.

Seems this bill passed and is awaiting Gov. Abbott's signature.

What else has the fine Texas legislature sent our way. . .

*Bills allowing open carry and campus carry (can't wait for that!)

*Students can now carry their own sun-screen at school

*Hair stylists can now style hair AWAY from their salons (oh my)

*You can't sue refs over bad calls (hey, that's important here in Texas!)

I mean, some of these things are important, others. . . .

Maybe you might better understand why some of us tire of following State politics. Like when select conservative legislators posted "former fetus" designations over their name plates at State offices. Trust me, I'm well aware of what the Texas State Legislature has been doing this year and all I can say is how relieved I am that the session is now closed and we may not get to hear from them for another 2 years. Should give the courts about the time they need to pop some of those lovely laws up to the Supreme Court for adjudication. Just saying. . .

So the bill has passed and it appears that an EMT-P (not just Licensed but all academic preparations) can practice to the full extent of their training; pending Gov. Abbott's approval.

I'm not that excited until I know more. This just creates one more job description that hospitals will have to decide if they want to create positions for. It sounds like nurses will still be the ones given patient assignments and the paramedics will be one more tech that can provide ordered treatments, but the nurse will still be the assigned caregiver. I guess now nurses will get to care for that many more patients, with an extra set of hands there to "help" them. Count me unimpressed.

Oh, and btw, just renewed my professional association membership today, it was due by the end of the month and BR157's frequent postings inspired me.

FlyingScot, RN · Jul 8, 2015

You make a statement but don't offer much else in support of RTs.
I do know what they do from working on flight teams, orientating in the ICUs and working in the ER.
Our Paramedic students are also required to shadow them for a day. That is where much is learned about how limited they are in some hospitals even though a few might want to do more. In the ER there are also a few RNs who had been RTs but moved on to BSN to have more opportunities, more money and be more involved in patient care. There are also many discussions on this forum which provide tons of info about what RTs and RNs do. Some of the comments and links are provided by those claiming to be RTs. One of the RNs and former RT still has an AARC membership and will show the discussions on that website which show frustration in that profession. The discussions on LinkedIn and RT FB pages also paint a troubling picture for that profession.
There probably are RTs out there who still do a lot but health care is changing. RTs are being left out of the money for reimbursement. In Community Paramedic class, it is mentioned about RTs not being reimbursed for their time which is why only 1 or 2 RTs might cover a huge area for a DME.
Let's just look at a few things learned by reading RTs websites, this forum and then checking with national sites like CMS.
RTs are rarely in the ER except to set up equipment.
RNs, Paramedics, Lab, EMTs (with phlebotomy cert) can draw ABGs. Paramedics, RNs and Lab can analyze them.
RNs and Paramedics can assist with intubation by giving the medications and securing the tube. RTs will set up the ventilator if they are in house. C
ritical Access Hospitals (small rural hospitals) may not have any RTs in house even with ventilators or BIPAPs in their tiny ICUs. RNs and Paramedics manage the setup and changes.
RNs, Paramedics and EMTs can do all MDI and nebulized medications in the ER including the continuous ones.
RNs and Paramedics can do the patient respiratory education in the ER.
It is rare to see an RT in a free standing ER. This has been a big discussion on the AARC and LinkedIn websites especially after the KentuckyOne layoff of all RTs in that free standing ER.
In the ICUs, RNs can draw the ABGs, talk to the doctor and then maybe call the RT for a ventilator change. Rarely are RTs required to be in the ICU. They usually just do a vent check twice a shift or every 6 hours.
In some post op heart units, the RT will set up the ventilator but the RN will do the actual ABGs, iSTAT and ventilator management up to and including extubation. The same for some PACUs.
RNs can do the retaping and manage the subglottic suction devices.
Many of the ER RNs are Asthma and COPD Educators. Very few RTs bother to get the certificate since most of the hospital Asthma and COPD certs since the education is done by RN educators. Smoking Cessation will also fall to RNs since they usually will have the CTTS in their group.
RTs are not always required to take ACLS, PALS or NRP. It is sometimes embarrassing to see some of the RTs who do take it struggle especially with the assessment and meds even though they attend a lot of codes. Many just focus on bagging and not what else is going on around them. RNs and Paramedics focus on the whole process.
Very few RTs can tell you very much about the medications being given to a patient except for the RT meds even if their patient is being intubated and on a ventilator.
Very few RTs are on transport teams and almost none on the adult teams. Even some of the big name transport teams are using less RTs now. If they do use RTs, they usually go through the Paramedic course and get their certs and licenses. Some of the Pediatric and Neonatal teams also have Paramedics to provide the intubation and assist the RN with the meds while the RT only does the ventilator setup. The RN and Paramedic may also do the iSTAT.
Note I am using the word SOME. There are probably some RT departments who are managing to stay well staffed and keep the budget balanced but times are changing and RT seems to be one profession which seems to have stagnated. There was even a letter from a well know physician who blasted the AARC (the RT professional association) for doing too little to keep the profession alive.
Most of my observations have been for the ER and clinics since that is where the most opportunities are for Paramedics. RTs have failed to get any bills passed to advance their profession. The telemedicine bill will probably help the RNs and Paramedics much more than RTs since RTs are limited for what they can do in outpatient settings.
It is really easy to get to know another profession when it presents with lots of opportunities for yours. RNs have taken notes on what is happening in the RT world. Now Paramedics are seeing this. Too bad some RTs did not see some of this also.
It is not personal. It is just the health care business and the survival of those who take the initiative to advance their profession.
If you really insist I can link you to the AARC, LinkedIn and some FB RT discussions to confirm my statements. If you know any RTs, if they are members of their association, they can probably log you in for you to read the discussions on their forum. You can also use the search feature on this forum for RT vs nursing discussions where they compare what each do or overlap.
Credit:
I will give credit to the RTs, RNs and RN/RTs who helped me list some of the things on this post.

Oddly enough in my 30 years of nursing every single one of the RRT's I've dealt with have had an incredible depth of knowledge of the respiratory/CV system, complex ventilation strategies, expert assessment skills, excellent technical skills and a wide scope of practice which includes, EKGs, starting IVs and giving medications including antibiotics. So sorry that the ones you've worked with apparently function only as ventilator jockeys whose main function is to turn on the machine and connect the tubing.

BR157 · Jul 8, 2015

Oddly enough in my 30 years of nursing every single one of the RRT's I've dealt with have had an incredible depth of knowledge of the respiratory/CV system, complex ventilation strategies, expert assessment skills, excellent technical skills and a wide scope of practice which includes, EKGs, starting IVs and giving medications including antibiotics. So sorry that the ones you've worked with apparently function only as ventilator jockeys whose main function is to turn on the machine and connect the tubing.

Calling the RTs ventilator jockeys are your words, not mine. At no point did I say RTs were uneducated and lacked indepth knowledge of the respiratory system.

Do you really have your RTs hanging all your IV antibiotics or would you like to clarify that to RTs giving nebulized antibiotics which come in a plastic vial like albuterol?

EKGs and IVs can also be done by EMTs and ER Techs in the ER. RNs can also do those skills and in most hospitals, especially in the units and on telemetry floors, the RNs don't have to wait for an RT. Most RTs will also tell you they hate doing EKGs and have gladly turned them over to nursing.

The issue here is that other health care professionals have advanced their education and knowledge of the respiratory system. An RN should be able to assess the respiratory system and determine the correct action without always calling respiratory. RNs on flight and CCT teams do this all the time. The RNs working in ERs, CVICUs and PACUs (other than yours it seems) have been assessing and determining the correct action for the respiratory part of their job for years.

The people who write the regulations for Critical Access hospitals and long term facilities have determined there is no need for RT to be in house even with ventilators.

These changes in health care were NOT the decisions made by me or Paramedics. Medicine changes and professions evolve. RTs have not increased their value in the eyes of the insurers. When reimbursement goes away, often so does much of that profession. Unless RT can show an increase in their value to those who control the reimbursement, their positions will become fewer. This is not new especially in the ER, long term care and on the hospital floors. But, if a profession does not grow or step up to the new demands of health care, don't fault others for creating opportunities for their own profession.

My suggestion to you is to increase your own knowledge of the respiratory system and what to do besides just calling RT. Things are changing in health care and at some point it might be up to you to determine if a patient needs an albuterol treatment or oxygen. You might even have to start doing all of the treatments RTs do routinely just like other RNs have. Paramedics also don't call RT when they are on an emergency call. You can also look up the fact that the US and only a few areas in Canada use RTs. Nurses in Australia, NZ, UK, France and all the other countries do not have RTs. They might have someone who is a specialist in the respiratory/CV systems but they are usually educated at a Masters level or at least a Bachelors degree. Some of the RTs in the US do have Bachelors degrees but if their profession as a group has failed to push for recognition with the insurers and advance the profession as a whole, it is unfortunate for those RTs who do want higher standards.

This link pretty much sums up my points. These are the reasons some RTs have moved on to be RNs or even Paramedics.

Egan's Author Disappointed With AARC's Stance On 2015

This is a small quote:

That the AARC establish on July 1, 2011, a commission to assist
state regulatory boards transition to a RRT requirement for licensure as
respiratory therapist. RESULT: NOT DONE
That the AARC provide
budgetary resources to assist associate degree programs with the
transition to baccalaureate level respiratory therapist
education. RESULT: NOT DONE
That the AARC in cooperation with
the CoARC consider development of consortia and cooperative models for
associate degree programs that wish to align with bachelor degree
granting institutions for the award of the bachelors degree. RESULT: NOT
DONE

Oddly enough in my 30 years of nursing every single one of the RRT's I've dealt with have had an incredible depth of knowledge of the respiratory/CV system, complex ventilation strategies, expert assessment skills, excellent technical skills and a wide scope of practice which includes, EKGs, starting IVs and giving medications including antibiotics. So sorry that the ones you've worked with apparently function only as ventilator jockeys whose main function is to turn on the machine and connect the tubing.

Calling the RTs ventilator jockeys are your words, not mine. At no point did I say RTs were uneducated and lacked indepth knowledge of the respiratory system.

Do you really have your RTs giving your IV antibiotics or would you like to clarify that to RTs giving nebulized antibiotics which come in a plastic vial like albuterol? RTs can also give morphine by a nebulizer, not IV.

EKGs and IVs can also be done by EMTs and ER Techs in the ER. RNs can also do those skills and in most hospitals, especially in the units and on telemetry floors, the RNs don't have to wait for an RT. Most RTs will also tell you they hate doing EKGs and have gladly turned them over to nursing.

The issue here is that other health care professionals have advanced their education and knowledge of the respiratory system. An RN should be able to assess the respiratory system and determine the correct action without always calling respiratory. RNs on flight and CCT teams do this all the time. The RNs working in ERs, CVICUs and PACUs (other than yours it seems) have been assessing and determining the correct action for the respiratory part of their job for years.

The people who write the regulations for Critical Access hospitals and long term facilities have determined there is no need for RT to be in house even with ventilators.

These changes in health care were NOT the decisions made by me or Paramedics. Medicine changes and professions evolve. RTs have not increased their value in the eyes of the insurers. When reimbursement goes away, often so does much of that profession. Unless RT can show an increase in their value to those who control the reimbursement, their positions will become fewer. This is not new especially in the ER, long term care and on the hospital floors. But, if a profession does not grow or step up to the new demands of health care, don't fault others for creating opportunities for their own profession.

My suggestion to you is to increase your own knowledge of the respiratory system and what to do besides just calling RT. Things are changing in health care and at some point it might be up to you to determine if a patient needs an albuterol treatment or oxygen. You might even have to start doing all of the treatments RTs do routinely just like other RNs have. Paramedics also don't call RT when they are on an emergency call. You can also look up the fact that the US and only a few areas in Canada use RTs. Nurses in Australia, NZ, UK, France and all the other countries do not have RTs. They might have someone who is a specialist in the respiratory/CV systems but they are usually educated at a Masters level or at least a Bachelors degree. Some of the RTs in the US do have Bachelors degrees but if their profession as a group has failed to push for recognition with the insurers and advance the profession as a whole, it is unfortunate for those RTs who do want higher standards.

This link pretty much sums up my points. Lack of support for the profession is one of the reasons some RTs have moved on to be RNs or even Paramedics.

Egan's Author Disappointed With AARC's Stance On 2015

http://rtfocus.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/Kacmarek-Presentation.pdf

The whole presentation summing up their profession is pretty impressive. But, if very little of it is supported by the current RTs through their professional association, nothing will change and the profession stagnates. Right now Paramedics growing stronger in pushing through their legislation at least for Community Paramedics and CCT.

I think nursing has had many of the same arguments in their history and still continue with the BSN debate. The message here is move forward or move over.

FlyingScot, RN · Jul 9, 2015

Calling the RTs ventilator jockeys are your words, not mine. At no point did I say RTs were uneducated and lacked indepth knowledge of the respiratory system.
Do you really have your RTs hanging all your IV antibiotics or would you like to clarify that to RTs giving nebulized antibiotics which come in a plastic vial like albuterol?
EKGs and IVs can also be done by EMTs and ER Techs in the ER. RNs can also do those skills and in most hospitals, especially in the units and on telemetry floors, the RNs don't have to wait for an RT. Most RTs will also tell you they hate doing EKGs and have gladly turned them over to nursing.
The issue here is that other health care professionals have advanced their education and knowledge of the respiratory system. An RN should be able to assess the respiratory system and determine the correct action without always calling respiratory. RNs on flight and CCT teams do this all the time. The RNs working in ERs, CVICUs and PACUs (other than yours it seems) have been assessing and determining the correct action for the respiratory part of their job for years.
The people who write the regulations for Critical Access hospitals and long term facilities have determined there is no need for RT to be in house even with ventilators.
These changes in health care were NOT the decisions made by me or Paramedics. Medicine changes and professions evolve. RTs have not increased their value in the eyes of the insurers. When reimbursement goes away, often so does much of that profession. Unless RT can show an increase in their value to those who control the reimbursement, their positions will become fewer. This is not new especially in the ER, long term care and on the hospital floors. But, if a profession does not grow or step up to the new demands of health care, don't fault others for creating opportunities for their own profession.
My suggestion to you is to increase your own knowledge of the respiratory system and what to do besides just calling RT. Things are changing in health care and at some point it might be up to you to determine if a patient needs an albuterol treatment or oxygen. You might even have to start doing all of the treatments RTs do routinely just like other RNs have. Paramedics also don't call RT when they are on an emergency call. You can also look up the fact that the US and only a few areas in Canada use RTs. Nurses in Australia, NZ, UK, France and all the other countries do not have RTs. They might have someone who is a specialist in the respiratory/CV systems but they are usually educated at a Masters level or at least a Bachelors degree. Some of the RTs in the US do have Bachelors degrees but if their profession as a group has failed to push for recognition with the insurers and advance the profession as a whole, it is unfortunate for those RTs who do want higher standards.
This link pretty much sums up my points. These are the reasons some RTs have moved on to be RNs or even Paramedics.
Egan's Author Disappointed With AARC's Stance On 2015
http://rtfocus.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/Kacmarek-Presentation.pdf
The whole presentation summing up their profession is pretty impressive. But, if very little of it is supported by the current RTs through their professional association, nothing will change and the profession stagnates. Right now Paramedics growing stronger in pushing through their legislation at least for Community Paramedics and CCT.
I think nursing has had many of the same arguments in their history and still continue with the BSN debate. The message here is move forward or move over.

Apparently you have not looked at my profile or you wouldn't have schooled me on how flight, CCT and the ED works. But hey thanks for the "edumacation". It made you sound really smart. The RT's I worked with gave IV push and syringe pump antibiotics, just saying.

We all get it . You're a paragod! Hell, why do we even have doctors when you're around? It seems with just a few weeks of education you could run the whole ED. As long as you staffed it with other paragods just like you.

And thanks for the suggestion about learning more about the breathy/pumpy system. I should go do that.

We are all tired of your postulating, your disparaging of a valued group of health care providers and your inflated opinion.

And for the record I AM a paramedic with field experience so don't even go there.