paramedics in the ER

nursejennie76 · Sep 13, 2005

Do any of you have paramedics in your ER? If so what do they do?

Yes we do, they give meds, start IV's, and well can pretty much do anything in the ER they would do in the ambulance. They do have to be under an RN though just because there are things they cant do , just like there are things the RN can't do that they can. Like intubate. They are a big help I think.

allnurses Guide · Sep 13, 2005

Well, we have EMT II's . . . but some are actually paramedics. We just don't hire paramedics.

They bring the pt. in, do vitals, start IV's, hang IV fluids, EKG's, help in a code, etc.

They are a great help.

steph

neneRN, BSN, RN · Sep 13, 2005

Our medics can triage, start lines, EKGs, foleys, splint, VS, transport monitored pts to ICU or cardiac floors, call report to floors. No meds.

Medic173 · Sep 13, 2005

I always get a kick out of this subject when it comes up......

Nurses = 2yr degree Medics = 2 yr degree

The ER that I work in has the same amount of Medics as nurses staffing it. We have the identical job description. The only except is that the Medics have extended roles as "Physician Extenders" under the MD License, along with having our own license. We take our own Pts, Triage, take written and verbal orders, admin drugs, call report and transport our Pts to the floor. We also do Emergency cut downs for airways, Chest tube insertion, Needle decompression, ETT, Central lines, and run all in-house codes, to name a few things that nurses can't do. (These are the things that fall under the MD license).

teeituptom, BSN, RN · Sep 19, 2005

Medics are trained for and belong in the field, not in the ER other than as a tech under the nurses.

blufoxtrot · Sep 20, 2005

Wow teeituptom. you sound a little bitter about this subject. I wasn't asking your personal opinion about whether or not paramedics should be in the ER. I was asking if anyone works with paramedics in the ER and what do they do.

Personally the best ER Nurses that I have worked with are the ones that were medics first. (Just since you brought up personal opinions.)

Medic173 · Sep 20, 2005

Sounds like teeituptom is upset and has experienced it first hand that ERs are opening their eyes and letting Medics do everything that the Nurses do. (Like in the ER I work in). Are ER just Hired Paramedic Physician Extenders to work with the doctors to see Patients. They are going to see Pts, write orders, review results, suture, LPs and Rx Scripts to name a few things. They are going to replace the PA and NP we have now. Wont that suck that the RNs will have to take orders from the Medics. Boy how times are changing. I just found out today that I got this job. I cant wait to see the faces on the RNs.

teeituptom, BSN, RN · Sep 20, 2005

Wow teeituptom. you sound a little bitter about this subject. I wasn't asking your personal opinion about whether or not paramedics should be in the ER. I was asking if anyone works with paramedics in the ER and what do they do.
Personally the best ER Nurses that I have worked with are the ones that were medics first. (Just since you brought up personal opinions.)

Nothing I said was in the least bitter, if you took it that way that is all up to you. Statement of fact is all. PMs are trained for their work in the field. Their knowledge base is all geared to that. RNs are trained for what we do. And an ER RN is far superior to any PM in the ER. Thats our area.

This comes from a former Hospital Corpsman 1968 to 1972, Er tech, Emt, Pm, then an RN. Ive been there and done that.

And now personally I wouldnt want to be in any ER that had paramedics functioning over nurses. That is a simple truth.

Shamira Aizza · Sep 20, 2005

I always get a kick out of this subject when it comes up......
Nurses = 2yr degree Medics = 2 yr degreeQUOTE]
I was a paramedic for 6 years before becoming an RN. The only state that requires an associates degree for paramedics is Oregon. All the rest only require a diploma or certificate of completion. Some states don't even list minimum training requirements for paramedics.
I also agree that paramedics do not belong in the emergency department; they haven't been trained for that environment and frankly they are typically added as a low cost alternative or bandaid for staffing problems.
I think it's a matter of principle; as both a paramedic and RN, I don't think a medic belongs in an ED any more than an RN belongs on the ambulance.

MikeyBSN · Sep 20, 2005

What state do you live in? I know some states are different. I know some hospitals here that won't even hire nurses who have been medics directly into the ER.

teeituptom, BSN, RN · Sep 20, 2005

I always get a kick out of this subject when it comes up......
Nurses = 2yr degree Medics = 2 yr degreeQUOTE]
I was a paramedic for 6 years before becoming an RN. The only state that requires an associates degree for paramedics is Oregon. All the rest only require a diploma or certificate of completion. Some states don't even list minimum training requirements for paramedics.
I also agree that paramedics do not belong in the emergency department; they haven't been trained for that environment and frankly they are typically added as a low cost alternative or bandaid for staffing problems.
I think it's a matter of principle; as both a paramedic and RN, I don't think a medic belongs in an ED any more than an RN belongs on the ambulance.
scares me when people agree with me