Okay, this isn't a typical "should I become a paramedic or RN" thread. It's something much goofier.
(EDIT: I WANT TO MAKE THIS CLEAR, THIS IS ALL IN GOOD FUN. JUST SOME FRIENDLY JARRING.)
I have some friends, one is going to school to become a Paramedic, one is a Paramedic, and the last Manages a plasma donation clinic with both Paramedics and RNs.
My guff is with the last guy in particular. He always talks about how there is often friendly jarring between the RNs and the Medics, and claims that more often then not, the Medics win.
I get grief all of the time from these guys, for being a nursing student. Not for the choice itself, but rather because they deem the profession to be a tier below Paramedics in terms of how capable they are. It really pisses me off!!! Don't' get me wrong, they respect my choice, and deep down they respect nurses, but they always like to make snide remarks such as: "if I was in trouble I tell you what the Paramedics are the go-to guys", or "It's not as if the Nurses know 1/2 the stuff Paramedics know."
It's all in good fun, but I need some good comebacks!! I want to represent the Nurses out there, but I'm a mere Pre-nursing student, waiting for fall term to begin. Thus, I'm not "In the know" as they supposedly are.
So, can you all help me out here? I know the condescension is unfounded, and I want to be able to zing them back.
Again, this is merely for fun between my buddies and I. So please, if this offends you, just pass the thread up.
Call them para-gods...I hate that unless it is coming from someone who means it is a good natured way...cotjockey also gets on a lot of nerves...and AMBULANCE DRIVER is the ultimate insult! :)
If it were my buddies that were making jabs at me, I'd probably say something to the effect of...."Well if you guys are soooooooo good and important, then why do you only work in the ambulance/helicoptor and (in some places) the ER? Don't you think that if your paramedic skills were that vital of an asset to the medical community that hospitals would be knocking people out of the way to get you to come work in the ICU, med/surg, OR, long-term care, L&D, etc, etc....And seeing as how nurses CAN function in the role of a paramedic (i.e. Flight RN), looks like nursing is the way to go because I could potentially do both of our jobs....ha!"
DISCLAIMER: Before I get flamed by anyone I want to emphasize that I am merely asking what the OP asked us to comment on. This does not reflect my feelings toward paramedics/EMTs. But I do love jabbing back and forth with my friends in good fun as well. Best of luck!!
Thanks for getting where I was coming from! Good stuff.
Specializes in Education, Acute, Med/Surg, Tele, etc.
LOL! Welcome to my world!!!!!!!! LOL!!! (this is long but full of facts!).
I was doing my pre-nursing schooling, and met this wonderful paramedic...who later became my husband! Basically, with little after school practice or education in my nursing school...I was taught by paramedics, went on ride alongs, helped with the volunteer fire fighters, and basically was a EMT in RN's clothing..LOL! I loved it...
What occured as I went on with schooling was I became basically a non-offical PR for paramedics and RN's! Considering I felt we are all a vital TEAM, I really just saw the two areas an accent to one another, and both vital in their roles! No one better, no one worse!!!! Just different and no less important that eachother.
Typically the Paramedic company employees all knew me, and wow..talk about a good mesh when it came to emergencies! Not only in pt care, but in friendship and working together knowing eachothers tallents! BUT, there were times (especially fire paramedics...no offence but my worse troubles are with our local fire paramedics) where I was treated rudely, and like I didn't have a brain!
Needless to say that didn't fly with me at all! And the basis for most of my comebacks and quick wit (and humor!). Not to mention if they upset me, I had no problem calling their supervisors (all whomI knew very well!) or let the word out through the paramedics which would be happy to let them know to be respectful!!!!
Today I don't have much trouble, yes there are newbies to re-educate about the nurse/paramedic relationship...and typically I see that the louder or ruder a person is in either professions, the more insecure they are because a secure person knows there is a difference in the fields and is able to work WITH that as an effective team!!!!
I have found a few tricks I work with to start out on the right foot with medics. One, I smile and introduce myself right away! A smile usually works wonders as a friendly way to start a team effort! I will also say something like "hope your shift is going well". Showing respect and being friendly helps people to actually find you as a person and professional and people tend to listen to you better! (THIS IS with any profession).
And if I come to a probelm...lets see if I can remember my worse case scenero..I have had both as a paramedic ride along where a nurse thought I was a paramedic and treated me like dirt big time and risked a pregnant pts life not listening! And as a nurse where they basically walked over me bumping me out of the way while I was preforming CPR instead of taking over...and basically ordering me to "go help the family or make a bed..that is what you nurses do isn't it???!!!".
For the RN's that were horrid, I overacted the part of student nurse, acted interested in every word like it was a sermon, and then suprised them by saying..."wow I found out this person ate a huge bottle of Tums daily for 4 months...can that extra calcium be cause for her baby to have a slow heartrate???". WOW did they get moving..and then after things settled I let them have it! Reminding them that the paramedic had ALREADY touched on this 3 times to no avail and they listened to a STUDENT more than a professional Paramedic? SHAME SHAME!!!!!!
The paramedic on (fire para's) who pushed me out of the way and were beyond rude and unproffesional. Well then they started asking me questions about meds, and I had already had someone copy the MAR's for the pt, and the code status...so it was in front of them! So I simply said "I am sorry...I don't understand all this med talk...but I do understand how to make perfect folds on their bed...I should get right on that..." and gave them the most horrid look and walked out!!!!!!! Their supervisor was called by me, and they were suspended without pay for one day for unprofessional conduct, and not following protocol for scene transfer of medical personal!!!
Most times have not been that high disrespect...and a quick comeback dependant on situation with a smile and laugh for me usually quells the situation fine. Some of my comebacks will range (again on situation (pt care always being first), who it is, what is going on, and their personality) "man my feet are tired from working on them all day...how is your butt, I hear those ambulance seats are murder!" to "well aren't you precious!"
Again, be very careful with snide comments, you too can get into trouble for unprofessional conduct. But most of these folks know me and it is general razzing!
OMG this is so much fun, making fum of each others profession hardy har har har!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I'm hoping that this is sarcasm at its finest. This post comes across as if you think we're immature or annoying for having a little fun between colleagues. Maybe I'm misunderstanding you (as it's easy to do on a BB), but if not, then I think my best advice is to lighten up a little. :rotfl:
Having done 5 years of flight nursing Im very framiliar with this situation.
I had many different paramedics as partners. I enjoyed the work and the teamwork. Had many new paramedics who thought they new more then me. It didnt take them long to find out just how wrong they were. There is nothing a paramedic can do that i cannot. There is however alot a paramedic cannot do that I can. I didnt make the rules.
Alot of paramedics have no idea what nurses do or the knowledge they must have. The reverse is also true. We both have important jobs!
One time, after a very high risk flight the doctor who met me at the door of the trauma center said to me (after I gave him report) Just do the best you can and we will take over when you get here.
I now work E.R. I never give the medics a hard time about the patient care they have provided. Working in the field is a hard uncontrolled environment.
When was the last time you were shot at while in the hospital?
I find that most people you treat nicely and with respect will treat you the same.
I understand this doesnt answer your question about how to "rib the guys" but i chose not to participate in such things. WIth that said there is one medic I give a hard time every time i see him. Just a little disapproving nod.
He's a good guy but I swear the guy is a magnet for very difficult patients to deal with.
I was in EMS prior to nursing and I still get ribbed for taking a "soft job". But I know this guys & gals are only joking because when they do their cilincal time they are hard pressed to keep-up for to 12 shift. They miss their drive time!!!!!!!!
I'm hoping that this is sarcasm at its finest. This post comes across as if you think we're immature or annoying for having a little fun between colleagues. Maybe I'm misunderstanding you (as it's easy to do on a BB), but if not, then I think my best advice is to lighten up a little. :rotfl:
Well i know that you would like to think it is all in good fun, But really you are just playing "NAH NAH NAH NAH NAH I AM MORE SKILLED THAN YOU ARE,HAHAHAHAHAHA" or "I can do this and you cant". And from how i hear paramedics treat nurses, I just do not find the humor in it. Also thanks for the advise
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Call them para-gods...I hate that unless it is coming from someone who means it is a good natured way...cotjockey also gets on a lot of nerves...and AMBULANCE DRIVER is the ultimate insult! :)