Paramedics are taking our Nursing job!

[MacERRN]

I got to beat the dead horse, I'm feeling it today as I read the classified's. Before flaming me to the burn unit, I was the 89th paramedic in Iowa. I got in on the first class opened to general population at UIHC in 1980.My license was #89. I also precept. EMT-P students in out Level 1 trauma center, so I know the training, the standard protocols taught, etc. that a paramedic obtains.

I see the way hospitals are dealing with this economy, replacing RN's with Paramedics. Let see, 5 yrs of college vs a 6 month class, basically a semester if going full time(the EMSLRC at the U of Iowa has a class that will take you from EMT basic to EMT-P, only one in country I believe). Who would you want at triage? Or administering meds that they have no idea the side effects? It's a crazy world. Keep the medic's on the street and leave the nursing to nurses!

[FlyingScot, RN]

Soooo, here's my thought. In2b8u is still on-line and has not responded. I'm smelling a troll. My suggestion is to ignore him/her and get back to the original topic. I think that Paramedics certainly have a place in the ER. I do not think that replacing RNs with them is that place. If an apple pie recipe calls for apples and you decide to use oranges instead (cause they're cheaper). You'll still have a pie, it just won't taste so good.

[in2b8u]

Wow! You all are very sensitive. First to answer Mac's questions. Yes to propofol, no to brain surgery. To everyone else, I've never called myself an RN. The hospital hired me as a paramedic to work in place of an RN. When I was on duty there were no RN's in the ER. My positioin was totally legal and insured by the hospitals carrier. As far as being a nurse, by definition a "nurse" is anyone who is trained and educated to care for one who is sick, injured, or disabled. And I always use the term loosely and adjunct it with my paramedic title to alleviate any confusion. I was trying to add a positive light to your original post but I can see by your passive-aggresive responses that you all have hostility towards paramedics. You must be the types that are responsible for alot of the animosity I've observed over the years between Paramedics & RN's.

And for Gonzo. You need to re-read my first response. I never said that "I" was better, but the RN's and the MDs I worked with did. And, I never said that I had no respect for EMS. Furthermore, just because someone has the "education", it does not preclude them to be "good" in their field. Example: Just because a paramedic finishes paramedic school, it does not mean he or she will be a good paramedic. Just because an RN graduated from nursing school, it does not mean he or she will be a good nurse. And if they each completed each others training/schooling, it wouldn't mean that either would be good at each others profession. And why the "legal" threats? I thought we are all suppose to be on the same team, you know...caring for people. Just close your eyes and take some deep breaths. I'm sure all of your jobs are still gonna be there when you open your eyes. And besides, having a job is not the most important thing life. Especially if it's gonna make you stressed and angry and synical.

[Be_Moore]

Everyone here is so incredibly defensive. I think it's safe to say that the "We are nurses you are not!" is nothing more than a ******* contest and is less than productive. I've known just as many paramedics that are amazing diagnosticians as I do BSN's that couldn't diagnose their way out of a wet paper bag. So please don't make profession based generalizations.

As nurses we love the nursing shortage. We have job security, availability, and great pay. But try to look at the bigger picture and see that while the nursing shortage is good for us, it's not so good for the world as a whole. Ancillary staff is a necessity, period. You could also say that Respiratory Therapists are taking RN jobs. But we don't because they've been around so long that those of us on these forums don't remember days before they existed.

Ancillary staff is the way of the future. There is no sense crying over it. Affordable and effective healthcare is a must, and a shortage of healthcare staff is not condusive to those means.

Are you really afraid that one day you will wake up and not have any jobs because paramedics will have taken them all?

[MacERRN]

No, I'm afraid someone is going to give a med that they're not familiar with, or legally able to give, like propofol, and a bad outcome will occure. I have worked, and precepted with many EMT-P's, and the training they receive is narrow, and the responsibility lies with the RN, who as a supervisor, is putting his/her liscence on line.

[rn/writer, RN]

As far as being a nurse, by definition a "nurse" is anyone who is trained and educated to care for one who is sick, injured, or disabled. And I always use the term loosely and adjunct it with my paramedic title to alleviate any confusion. I was trying to add a positive light to your original post but I can see by your passive-aggresive responses that you all have hostility towards paramedics. You must be the types that are responsible for alot of the animosity I've observed over the years between Paramedics & RN's.

Most states (if not all) consider nurse a legally protected title. Using that designation without having the license to back it up has the potential to get a person in serious trouble, even if (especially if) it's coupled with another title. Using both titles when only licensed for one is likely to promote confusion, not alleviate it. Not at all saying that was your intent, but it is a highly possible outcome.

The responses here have straightforward and to-the-point. That doesn't make them passive-aggressive. Most nurses I know have great respect for EMS and have a good working relationship with EMTs and paramedics. And vice versa.

I do wonder how you would view an especially bright and capable EMT-B who called himself a paramedic because he had much of the knowledge and could do many of the skills.

The license matters. I'm glad you are pursuing an RN degree.

[1RRRN]

Read the user id: In2b8u = In to be "rate" you. Is that your motive Mr.EMT? I also hope your identity becomes public and you are sanctioned.

[rn/writer, RN]

Read the user id: In2b8u = In to be "rate" you. Is that your motive Mr.EMT? I also hope your identity becomes public and you are sanctioned.

I read In2b8u as "intubate you." Don't think anything wrong was intended. Also, he is a paramedic, not an EMT.

[rnffemtguy, BSN, RN]

I think In2b8u is pulling some legs here, I won't go so far as to say troll, but I still don't think he/she is serious, just trying to get a response

[sonnyluv]

Obama's healthcare plans call for cuts in medicare, medicaid and an "increase in productivity". If paramedics cost less than nurses, and can legally provide the same services, that would fit the President's goals.

The details are *not* in the news on purpose, nurses. The politicians don't want the resistance that happened the first time around when the details came out about Clinton's healthcare plans.

Paramedics, by law, can not give the same meds nurses can, they are however about as equal as LVN's. Yeah, hospital management is going to try to get back into the scam business by hiring the lesser trained. People will die, lawsuits will be made, we will prevail.

Please stop blaming Obama for a genralized situation that pretty much seems to be coming from your head.

Cheers.

[sonnyluv]

I went back and read your post again and all I can say is that if I knew who you were I would turn you in to the BON for impersonating a nurse, which is illegal.

If indeed you are as skilled as you are then I say great. But you show poor judgement coming on a nursing board and telling everyone how much better you are at their job then them.

Shame on you

If you performed the procedures you say you did (which you didn't, you ASSISTED) then you were in fact impersonating A DOCTOR. Yeah, not impressed too much with this kind of weird thread.

[Medic09, BSN, RN, EMT-P]

For anyone enjoying this dispute, the topic of paramedic-nurse overlap and discreet roles has been discussed/argued ad nauseum over in the Emergency and Flight sections.

[Mulan]

What island were you on and what hospital? Will be sure to avoid that place.