Schlepter

I finished my EMT-B course over the summer and have just completed my 1st clinical rotation for nursing. There are a lot of similarities to the information between the 2. What you need to realize is that the EMT-B cert concentrates on the pre-hospital care and the nursing focuses on the post hospital care. Although both are similar, they do have different scopes of practice. I have to admit, I am really glad to have gone through it so I can compare it to my nursing classes. Here in PA you don't have the option to challenge the test, so I had to suffer through the classes. But all in all they are worth it and I think it would be a good addition to your skills. Good luck!

I am an EMT in training and my very first call was to a nursing home to have our medic pronounce one of the residents. I watched as one of the other EMTs attached the leads for the EKG and seeing the flat line kinda got to me. We ended up not transporting because the patient had passed and there was nothing we could do. Being the first calls was a little unnerving. I know I'm going to see things like this both in EMS and Nursing, and my main goal will be to treat it with respect and do what I can when I can.

My ultimate goal is to become a PHRN. I'm not sure if it's a Pennsylvania thing or what, but it's a pre-hospital registered nurse around here. From what I gather, you need to have both the Paramedic and the RN license and then a little more training. I love the idea of being able to see both sides of the spectrum. As far as adrenaline goes, I'm sure you get your fair share in either profession depending on where you work. Good luck!

It's tough when you don't have any equipment. EMS was already on the way, which is a good thing. I think you did a great job, even if it was only to provide reassurance that a medically trained person was at his side. I think that may have helped him clam down and not be as anxious. I give you credit for walking into the lion's den, rooting for the visiting team. There's not much you can do but I give you kudos for stepping up and doing everything you could. Sorry your team lost though :)

We were told that if we hadn't completed the series of shots, or chose not to get them, we had to sign a waiver saying so. I only had 2 shots done when the paperwork was due, so I signed the waiver. Since then I've gotten my 3rd shot and am good to go.

It breaks my heart to see someone abused like that. In my opinion the piece of flesh (I won't give them credit as being a human being) that abused this poor man needs to pay. I'm not an advocate for cruel and unusual punishment except in cases like this. I admire the way you handled the situation. I'm sure those few hours meant more to him than you will ever know. Good job.

I will be finishing up my EMT class next week as a matter of fact. My practical and written test are at the end of the month. The program I went through was from my local community college, and was taught at the county fire academy. I paid $215 for the class, and another $90 for the book. I looked at other places and they ranged from $500-$1000. So far this has been a great program and I'm looking forward to learning more.

Temple University has an online program as well. I'm on track to take 3/4 of my BSN classes at my Community College along with my nursing classes. I'll have a yea left once I get over there. But they do have a specific online RN to BSN. http://www.temple.edu/chp/online/departments/nursing/nursing_rn_bsn_program.html

Oh yea it does. Another one is "chose" vs "choose" I see that all the time and it bugs the you know what out of me!

I'm still in school and have a while until I start actively applying for jobs. However I'm trying to boost my worth now so that it might help me when I do get my license. I've been a volunteer firefighter for a couple years, and I'm currently taking an EMT class (along with a full time job and 2 classes). I'm hoping the EMS experience will help me when I start applying. In nursing class, we've been discussing the problems of new grads getting jobs in hospitals, and it's a real problem. With the economy, people are losing their jobs, and insurance. They aren't getting the procedures done they normally would, so hospitals are cutting back on staff. Hopefully it'll rebound eventually. However there are openings in other places such as nursing homes, VA hospitals and centers, ect. We were told that there is a slim chance you are going to get the dream job right off the bat, and to accept anything to start. As you gain experience and knowledge, other opportunities will present themselves. Good luck in your search!

I'll be taking my A&P II in the summer 6 week course. It's the last class I'll need before my clinical work starts. From what I've heard, it's naturally going to be tough. A&P I was tough as a 14 week course, but I got my A. I am pretty much expecting to live breath and sleep A&P for those 6 weeks. Some people think I'm nuts for giving up 6 weeks of my summer. The way I look at it, if you are dedicated enough and want it enough, those 6 weeks will fly by and you'll be moving further down the path of nursing. Good luck!

I'll be starting my clinical work in the Fall and I'm finishing up my pre req classes now. I have been thinking about the problem of getting experience as well. Starting Feb 23, I'll be starting my EMT class. I'll have that by mid August and be able to provide BLS to get some experience. I've already been a firefighter for a couple years. I'm hoping the combination of my EMS experience will help with finding a job when I get my RN. i figure if I can go in with a couple years of EMS experience, it can't hurt.

It sounds to be you're being more of an adult as opposed to a pansy. An immature person would throw down first and think of the consequences later. You start clinical work soon, and this took precedence. As much of a blow to your internal ego as it must have been, you did the right thing. Besides, in today's day and age, a simple round of fisticuffs may turn into getting yourself shot or stabbed, and that's never a good thing. You made the right choice.