Experiences with Rock Med?

[darcicat]

I am going to be volunteering for Rock Med this year, just wanted to know if anyone else here had ever done that? What should I expect my responsibility to be as an RN at the shows? How far do the MDs take their practice at the venues - i.e. starting a line to give fluids for a dehydrated patient? Defibrillating a patient having a heart attack? Enacting MONA and ACLS? Or just BLS? Any good stories from previous volunteers? (Obviously mindful of HIPPA.) I really want to hear what I am going to be in for, and what I should brush up on. I'm a Med/Surg nurse, not an ED nurse, so I'd like to know what I need to know. Also, should I look into getting insurance, or does the company cover you when you are volunteering - I know that they are non-profit, so they may not be able to. Thanks for any advice. :)

[RNrocker]

Hi Darcicat,

I am just about to start my 7th season volunteering with Rock Med. Up until this year, I have been an EMT; I just got my RN license in February. As an RN, you'll take report from the field teams (CPRs and EMTs) that transport a patient to the medical tent. You assess the patient and work with the doc on the plan of care. The level of care depends on the venue and what Rock med had been contracted to do. At some of the small venues, we are strictly BLS. For larger venues and shows, such as Shoreline, Bill Graham Civic, Oracle Arena, etc., we are usually ALS. With ALS shows, we start lines, defibrillate, run a code if necessary. Basically, the only thing we don't do is x-ray.

Each show is unique. Common problems: alcohol, falls (scrapes and bruises), heat exhaustion. However, we have had people on bad trips, cardiac issues, lacerations, dislocations, etc. Don't worry that you aren't an ED nurse. At first it may seem a little scary, but with time you will become more comfortable. Many people in Rock Med love to teach and mentor. The most important thing is your willingness to help. If you aren't comfortable with something, don't be afraid to let people know. If there are some things that you want to brush up on, I would feel comfortable with IVs and some of the various problems I mentioned earlier.

As for insurance, I believe we are covered, though you might want to verify this at orientation. If you feel more comfortable with your own insurance, that's an option too.

Hopefully this has given you a little insight into Rock Med. Please let me know if you have any questions! I'm too new to the site to send personal messages, but I can answer through this thread or I might be able to receive a PM.