why do nurses hate medics?

liberated847 · Dec 14, 2014

I volunteer as an EMT and man I have felt the hostility from ER nurses. It's like they assume we are incompetent and that we are taking up their time. I am on both sides and I definitely see what the original poster is talking about. Unless your attractive guy (I'm being completely honest with what I've seem first hand), it's like your not in the same social class.

Many nurses in my area have left husbands for paramedics. Yes I've seen this, if you are good looking then you can do no wrong. If you are fat and ugly, watch out!!!!! (I'm in the latter lmao)

brandiep1982 · Dec 14, 2014

It sounds like you are a flight nurse, or something similar... which is completely different than an ER nurse, which is what this discussion is regarding. I think it is pretty safe to say, and I am surprised if you don't already know this, that most nurses are not flight medics, and most nurses are not trained to intubate (any form). I understand that it is highly likely that there are ERs that train their nurses beyond what is typical, and I think that is great. However, I do not think it is the majority of nurses that are trained this way.

brandiep1982 · Dec 14, 2014

I think it is encouraging to see all the positive responses on this thread. :)

Something else I was thinking about (and remember, I came from a fire department as a medic, which could be a little different than the attitudes of medics in ambulance companies): Similar personalities are drawn to similar occupations. Something specific tends to draw a typical personality to paramedicine and fire, as opposed to nursing.

In the end, I think their are jerks on both sides that make the whole group look bad (this creates a dangerous generalization of a whole group of people). My policy was always to be kind to all no matter what their credentials or how they treated me. Because the concern is for the patient, not whether or not someone likes me. The better we all get along the better care the patient will get with a nurse that isn't ticked. In addition, on really good calls, i liked to discuss with nurses and doctors what they may have done differently. This was never meant as a challenge, but a way for us to share ideas and make me a more open minded medic. Following cookie cutter protocols no matter what, a lazy medic makes. :)

SinMiedo · Dec 14, 2014

Personally, I love medics! I helped an old boyfriend study during his medic school, and was amazed at just how much they had to know. We're still friends, and I frequently text him asking about some ECG rhythm or weirdo cardiac med; he does the same to me when he has questions about chronic care or psych issues (my areas of interest.) I don't work in bedside nursing, so I don't think I can speak to that part of the OP, but I've noticed that any aggro from nursing or EMS in situations I've seen it have been due to one/both inflating their own sense of importance and believe that they know far more than they really do.

Most of the best nurses AND medics I know believe (correctly, I think) that the more you learn, the more you realize you still don't know. :)

Editorial Team / Moderator · Dec 14, 2014

It sounds like you are a flight nurse, or something similar... which is completely different than an ER nurse, which is what this discussion is regarding. I think it is pretty safe to say, and I am surprised if you don't already know this, that most nurses are not flight medics, and most nurses are not trained to intubate (any form). I understand that it is highly likely that there are ERs that train their nurses beyond what is typical, and I think that is great. However, I do not think it is the majority of nurses that are trained this way.

It probably depends on where you are. I know a lot of nurses who are trained to intubate - yes, ER nurses. We are trained as part of our moderate sedation certification.

Editorial Team / Moderator · Dec 14, 2014

P.S. I have done way more "cool stuff" as a nurse than I ever did as a medic. Probably helps that I was deployed, but whatever!

Dranger · Dec 14, 2014

I work in the ICU so no medics and when we get direct transfers an EMS/critical care RN has to be with them. Only ED experience I have is military and all the medics were cool then. Fire department medics seem to be the cockiest, private companies seem pretty okay to me.

What I don't understand is this pseudo superiority of medics who thinks they are docs because they can push drugs without orders. So what? Every drug you push is on some protocol or algorithm. You aren't diagnosing. Sure you have to be quick thinking but administering duonebs, solumedrol, atropine, dopa/dobut and epi etc etc aren't exactly difficult decisions in most situations. Even then many medics phone the ER and ask to talk to the doc before they do anything. That high horse needs to come down fast....ICU nurses page random docs at 2am in the morning and get orders purely based off our assessment and recommendations. These docs are half asleep, cover 5+ hospitals and have no idea who are patients are so they rely on us but hey I guess we suck because we can't push ACLS drugs when we want....oh well. Never-mind all of the equipment, diagnostic tools (swanz, balloon pumps blah blah blah), lines and procedures we manage but hey you can intubate so I guess that makes us even right?

What I admire about medics is the crap they have to walk into....bars, filthy houses, ghettos and bring people out.

psu_213, BSN, RN · Dec 14, 2014

You aren't diagnosing.
What I admire about medics is the crap they have to walk into....bars, filthy houses, ghettos and bring people out.

First, I have a tremendous amount of respect for all medics. However, it is kinda funny you mention diagnosing. We have one medic who always offers a medical diagnosis for the patient she brings it. "This is a 58 year old woman, pain in her leg, it is warm. It's a really bad cellulitis." She ignores the fact that is is unilateral, swollen, and sharply more painful with walking." I.e., just as likely to be a DVT rather than cellulitis.

Or "She has chest pain in the sternal area, worse with a deep breath and with palpation. I didn't do an EKG or anything since it's pretty obviously costochondritis." Never mind that her heart rate is 124 and the patient reports being SOB.

As for the second statements (Re: admiration of medics), I agree 100%. I could not imagine walking into a strangers house with no idea of what or whom I would find.

liberated847 · Dec 14, 2014

First, I have a tremendous amount of respect for all medics. However, it is kinda funny you mention diagnosing. We have one medic who always offers a medical diagnosis for the patient she brings it. "This is a 58 year old woman, pain in her leg, it is warm. It's a really bad cellulitis." She ignores the fact that is is unilateral, swollen, and sharply more painful with walking." I.e., just as likely to be a DVT rather than cellulitis.
Or "She has chest pain in the sternal area, worse with a deep breath and with palpation. I didn't do an EKG or anything since it's pretty obviously costochondritis." Never mind that her heart rate is 124 and the patient reports being SOB.
As for the second statements (Re: admiration of medics), I agree 100%. I could not imagine walking into a strangers house with no idea of what or whom I would find.

What you described is just one bad paramedic. There are some paramedics that are just bad just like there are some nurses that are clueless. It's not a medic or RN thing, it's just bad providers. One thing I appreciate when I go to a nursing home to pick up a patient (I'm both an RN and Paramedic) is that all the feces have been cleared up by the nurse who also placed the patient on a non-rebreather mask at 2 lpm effectively suffocating the pt. get my drift? There are bad providers RN or Medic.

Editorial Team / Moderator · Dec 14, 2014

I do not miss going into some homes! Two words: hoarder houses. *shudder*

psu_213, BSN, RN · Dec 14, 2014

What you described is just one bad paramedic. There are some paramedics that are just bad just like there are some nurses that are clueless. It's not a medic or RN thing, it's just bad providers.

Which is my point...a few on each side (arrogant/clueless/rude/etc. RNs and paramedics) give the group a bad name. Which is unfair to the good ones, and there are are a lot of good ones out there on both sides.

Louerrn · Dec 14, 2014

I'm never outwardly rude to EMS but can get "crispy" at times as one poster said. Here are some reasons:

Brings in full arrest without any type of line bc he couldn't get one (um, IO???) with no visible signs of attempt.

Has an actively vomiting pt who is covered in puke and tells me he didn't start a line bc he didn't feel the pt needed one (they have Zofran they can give)

In report from the field we are told MVC with no signs of injury/distress. Receive a fully clothed pt c/o of sob who is bruised and cut from glass from head to toe and had to be transferred to the level one.

The EMT who tries to give me report in another pt's room or to another nurse when they have literally been there less than five minutes total.

The EMT who was screaming at the desk that no nurse has come in to take report, proceeds to stop every nurse that walks past her asking who was going to take report, then fussed to her coworker that somebody better get in there now bc she needs to go back to bed. (I was in the next room placing a catheter.) Her total time in ER? 12 minutes.

Sometimes it is bc I'm overwhelmed and you are bringing me more work but 9/10 it's a reaction to their attitude/laziness. I know several great EMS that I'm great friends and there is never anything but good feelings and respect from both sides!!