Opportunities for RNs in the Field

[EricTAMUCC-BSN]

I just recently gratuated from school and am working on finishing up my orientation in the ICU. I am interested in getting some field experience on my days off. Does anybody have any suggestions on how to go about getting quick and dirty field experience? Thanks.

[hogan4736, BSN, RN]

shadow,

another thought comes to mind,

we as ICU/ER nurses (please no offense to medics) should be cognizant of which patients are being xferred to which level of care. if you want an RN in that ambo, demand one.

and please be respectful to the EMT who is picking up granny to go back to the nursing home...

ANYONE picking up your patient (who will be delivering care) deserves a complete report, AND the corresponding paperwork

[edogs334]

shadow,

another thought comes to mind,

we as ICU/ER nurses (please no offense to medics) should be cognizant of which patients are being xferred to which level of care. if you want an RN in that ambo, demand one.

and please be respectful to the EMT who is picking up granny to go back to the nursing home...

ANYONE picking up your patient (who will be delivering care) deserves a complete report, AND the corresponding paperwork

Amen!!! There have been several times that I've taken patients home via ambulance (whom I've never taken before) and the nurse refused to give me the chart to look at. This happens especially at Dialysis clinics. Not that RN's at Dialysis clinics need to give full reports to EMT's, but I think I have every right to see the demographics and med/surg history of a patient who's going to be under my care (no matter for how short a period of time).

Ian

[mdhirschhornemt]

In our patient care world, we as providers, must keep several things in mind: (1) Every state is different. Here in PA, an RN can obtain Pre-Hospital credentials by completing additional course work. These individuals can offer both nursing skills and pre-hospital emergency care.

(2) All of us have a different concept of what is ideal. What might be great for one person might not be for the other.

(3) No matter what level of training we may have... we all owe each other respect. There has been many times that I (as an EMT-B) have been transporting granny to the hospital for otherwise simple tests and discovered problems which required a rapid transport and even assistance from an ALS provider. Without my input these providers are starting from scratch with the patient assessment.

(4) Can an RN challenge the NREMT-P? I'm not sure. I would like to think so. Especially since that is what my plans are.

(5) Now to get back to the original question: How can he get some quick pre-hospital experiance? I think the problem word here is "quick" If your not qualified to work in this spectrum, you need to be properly trained. Get your EMT-B and put it to good use. Find an EMS service in your area that is hurting for help. This insures that you will be in the field instead of mopping the ambulance garage. Not to mention, your helping a crew that can use you.

Good Luck

Mike