steven1534

Ha. They've said that we will find a way to get through this. Or offered to email me some more information (they never did). i.e. wishy-washy and not helpful. And yes we've gone above their heads and been made promises and results have not been good. Last semester half the class failed the benchmark test (doesn't count towards a grade) In reality I'm not having anxiety...more annoyance that I've spent this much time doing this and I know I am unprepared. I'm just curious who has taken ATI and if it is similar to NCLEX or if it is all a toss up in the end.

Ok, So I just took my final exam this past week - all throughout school I've done incredibly well (A's in all but one class, and that class I was only off by 1 or 2 %). Before we can get cleared to test NCLEX we have to take the ATI Benchmark test (not sure if this is consistent across the board for other programs). My question? How do I take exams during the semester and get 95% or better consistently and then take practice ATI exams and fail (50-60%)? I'm an adult learner, this is my third degree and I've taken national certifying exams before. I'm worries I won't be able to pass the benchmark test because all the material that comes up is stuff I've never read!!! It is frustrating and I feel that now I have to re-teach myself everything before I take NCLEX or ATI. Suggestions? has anyone else run into this?

Some people operate on the principal of "better safe than sorry" and do the assessment and treat altered mental status as it is and as it should be...others treat it as just another effin drunk. Washington D.C. Fire and EMS along with Howard University Hospital made the wrong decision... href=http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/12/20/AR2007122002148.html I think at 8 pages, most of us can agree that some EMTs and Paramedics are rude and ignorant, while others are highly educated. We can also agree that some nurses are excellent, and some just plan suck. Oh, and I am definitely sure that we can take a look at some physicians who really are amazing...but there are some out there who are a few flowers short of a bouquet too. The same applies to teachers, drivers, salesmen, actors, chefs, fast food clerks........ So anyways, my name is Steven, and if we ever meet I hope that you judge me based on my individual merits and not as "just another one of those paramedics..."

Thankfully, this allows me to point out another example of how both sides, unfortunatly, do not understand each side. EMS providers of all levels are taught to assess and reassess every patient. Vitals eveny 15 minutes, at the most...and don't even take your best friend's word on what their assessment found. So, please, don't be offended if we re-do assessments...but I do apologize for those who who are arrogant. It may come from, as I mentioned earlier, the need and desire to operate independently (not 100%, because we need to go to the hospital eventually, but when we are out on the road...we are it)

I would love to...you need proof of completing Blood Borne Pathogens training within the last year, fill out a few pages of paperwork, submit and get approval...etc. Plus I'm in Maryland, where are you? Oh, and we tend to be kind of slow as I am in a rural system....

Just Remember, not all facilities are as with it as you may be (been to them....say their name on the watch list for abusing patients). Keeping stuff ready so it flows smoothly takes pro-active healthcare providers and there are a bunch in all fields of healthcare who just aren't. (I'm hopefully not talking about anyone here!!!)

This will also show how EMS and In-Hospital Care differs - in that situation, if I am requested as the Paramedic to come to assist the patient in a medical emergency, if the family has a POA but no state DNR, I can not acknowledge it. Now if they do have a DNR but the patient is lucid and requests assistance, well then I would consider the DNR rescinded and would be under a legal obligation to treat and transport...and anyone who interferes could be subject some bad times afterwards. I'm not going to get into a fight over it and would rather talk it out...but I'm not going to "abandon" a person requesting help.

CotJockey, I do agree that both sides need to keep the attitudes in check, because both sides have EMTs or Nurses who are there to save the world... Its too bad that the ******** are the ones who stand out...and not the cooperative healthcare professionals who make things work but go unnoticed.

As a Paramedic...I want to put my head in this one too. I've been treated horribly working both 911 and Non-Emergency Interfacility Transfer. I want to mention a few circumstances, not because they are true in everyday operations, but rather because they bring up points that I think create the tension. In nursing, you are educated in pharmacology, patient management, and many many other things. In EMS we are educated in the same, except we don't have a doctor on call or in the building and the ones that we have available don't have a relationship with that patient...yet. So first - I had a nurse tell me she hates EMTs because once she was at a bar and saw a guy fall over in the street. She went to help. When EMS arrived they cursed at her and told her to leave. She told them she worked on a neuro floor and they didn't know anything about that and she did and he could have a head injury. Well, the first problem with this situation is 1) they are in the street; 2) airway, breathing circulation first, then check the pupils; 3) outside of a bar. As EMS providers we spend a lot of time learning about the dynamics of scene control. Controlling a situation out in the field is a lot different than in the hospital. There are many, many things you have to concern yourself with. Like - traffic in the street that could cause further injury ], hundreds of people outside the bar who are intoxicated and could pose a threat, drunk healthcare providers who think they can help but may cause further injury because they are intoxicated. In a situation like that, quick and strong decisions must be made to ensure the safety of the providers, patient and bystanders. Sometimes some verbal force may be used. Second - "I just got this patient" isn't an excuse. When I get to the ED, I just got the patient too, but I've performed an assessment, gotten paperwork and history and made it available for continuity of care. It takes a few minutes for us to get there, so that should be enough time to get someone to obtain necessary information. Yes, I have taken people without information, but when it very well should be readily available and on file, it shouldn't happen because that could be of detriment to the patient. But anyways, my basic point is that neither side truly knows what the other half does unless they experience it for themselves. I don't know about nursing because I have only experienced a little bit of nursing during my clinicals...and not enough to know. Neither do I know what a physician has to do in his realm. I will fully admit that once I get to the hospital and I've run through the meds I know I really do not know how to proceed and return to rehabilitation. I guess I basically want to say: I respect you because you have a different set of goals. Understand mine: get the patient to the hospital in a condition similar to or better than what I found them...or at least keep some blood flowing somewhere. And I must do this with the drugs and equipment I can shove into a Ford Truck...and use myself without much assistance. I may be different because I don't second guess everyone on things that I admit I don't know about...btu not everyone in the world is perfect. So anyways, have fun and be safe. And maybe one day we will meet up. Sorry too if I am rude, but I am a Type A personality and can sometimes say things in a less than "nice" way.