medic2rn30

We have a very good relationship with our docs, and get to know what they prefer. We have standing orders like other facilities for: chest pain, stroke, nausea/vomitting, fractures, abdominal pain, trauma, things like that. If they don't like it they tell us why and then we don't do it on those types of pt's. In particular we have one doc who does not like IV's on pt's with a migraine unless they've had it greater than 24 hours and have nausea/vomitting.

I would see if your area EMS allows ride alongs. If so I would look into that, and the same to see if your local hospital allows students to shadow. I think that is a great opportunity to see what EMS and emergency medicine is about. Paramedic is a degree that is very time consuming and demanding as much as nursing. EMT basic is a wonderful way to get into the field of emergency medicine. And it is only a couple nights a week for 4 months or so.

I would go straight to nursing. Getting your EMT I believe will help and give you a greater respect for EMS, however in the long run I think nursing is your best bet. The field is very very different from the hospital. EMS is very different from ER medicine. But it all comes together, and I think it will give you a better understanding from both sides if you have your EMT and practice while getting your RN. Good Luck!!

A pt came in complaining of pain during sex. She wanted the problem fixed right now on a Sunday night cause she was leaving for vacation the next morning and had big plans for her vacation! My suggestion was quit having sex if it hurts so badly!!

I am a paramedic and am going to go through nursing school. I am one of those that likes more information instead of less. I do a lot of interfacility transfers ranging from an hour to four hours. I promise you that a lot can go wrong in just a short amount of time. One case I had was a cancer pt with an extensive medical history who is now hypotensive with a hemoglobin of 6. Ok, so I am going to be on the road for three hours with this pt. Long story short pt drops their pressure to the 70's and I am squezzing that fluid in and ready to start dopamine cause I can't dilute them that much! I like to know what is going on because when I walk into the recieving facility I like to be able to tell them what is going on, what has happened, and what I have done to help fix the problem. We need to know what is going on. If you belive it is relevant tell us! The majority of us want to know.