txERgrl79

I started in the USAF in 99' as a medic and after getting out and a few yrs later ended up in the ER. I'm in TX and did the same as you (I was required to get a cert for IV's and took an IV therapy course). I LOVED my job! Then I transferred to another facility (owned by the same corporation) and wow, there PCT's in the ER were housekeeping who also did splits...and sat the the "initial triage" (lol the "what brings u in?", vitals, blah blah). The pay was way lower but I understood that. I did foley's at the previous ER but I'm unsure if that is actually something in the SOP...it was left up to the RN's and what thy were comfortable with. The pay there was amazing and I always left feeling appreciated and that I had helped make the pt an RN's have a better day. Going back for my RN and hope I have the same experience. Sent from my iPhone using allnurses.com

I was in MS when I got out in 03', but was told then that I could challenge the board for LVN. I tried looking into it, but ended up moving. I would think that's still true...would be interested in hearing if someone has done this. Sent from my iPhone using allnurses.com

As another said, I realize this is an older post, but wanted to comment. I was an Air Force Medic in my early 20's. After working with a military RN (I called satan lol) I learned and respected her and nursing period, more than I ever had. And I left the AF with confidence in my knowledge. As a civilian ER Tech I worked with amazing people, from day one. BUT, their license in on the line and as others said, civilian and military do not "play" by the same rules. They were aware of my training/skills with IV's, phlebotomy, catheters, and changing a dressing. All that said, I had and EMT/B, NRP, BLS and that was it. With each day there was a "trust", if you will, that was built with all of us. I was never going to do what was note allowed of me, and it wasn't long before that showed in my work. There is always that 1 though, that no matter what, you're scum. Lol. I had one and only one. Surprisingly, I handled her behavior with respect and just did my job. One night I over heard her talking with the charge RN about myself and my performance. (Keep in mind this was a HORRIBLE night...everyone was having CP and needed the works...I was IV's and EKG's!) She went on about another hospital and how those techs worked. I was fuming, I did my job and I knew that. Thankfully so did Charge because he proceeded to tell her a number of things that were not so nice...followed up with our director saying "these techs will make or break your day...period". (I should add there was only 1 tech per shift so some days sucked more lol). She often questioned everything about who I was and why/what I was doing, to other nurses who always responded so great. I had many certs at that point (now nursing student) but never stepped over any lines. I never understood what started this issues, but it didn't matter. Now had this happened as soon as I started my transition into the civilian world, I don't know how I would have reacted. I feel sure that I would have felt the same as you though. I took and still take my job seriously and do not by any means know everything, and I never will, and I'm ok with that, now. It's easy to say ignore those kind of comments, but in reality, it's not that easy. It's like changing into a whole other world and it can be more difficult for some. Thank you for your service and for the choice you made to fight for this country. And remember, we are ALL always learning, even if it's just about one another. Giving people the long list of what our job was means nothing, in a way, to the real world. As you work with them though, and if you perform the way you sound like and with the respect that you want, it will be seen, and trust builds more and more. Then, it's like no other feeling or place in the world to work, IMO. It's a unique job (for ER nurses and techs) with some unique personalities all smashed up...requiring you to trust your fellow coworkers just like you trusted you fellow serviceman. I hope since your post things are better regarding the civilian aspect...and again, thank you for your service...let that pride you have show through in times like this. Sent from my iPhone using allnurses.com

As an ER tech in South TX I made $13, but with shift differential (I was split **** 11a-11p), weekend diff. and OT, I only made $13 for the first few hrs, then it went to $15 and up to $21. BUT, I transferred to another hospital (same corp though) in the DFW area, tech couldn't do as much and the pay was $13...period. Yeah that hurt on the paycheck lol. So it can vary not just state to state, but hospital to hospital. Sent from my iPhone using allnurses.com

I was a medic in the USAF, did my clinical a at Wright-Pat and LOVED that base. That was in 2000, so who knows now, but I loved it there. Sent from my iPhone using allnurses.com

I'm basically new All Nursing and was looking for Texas based students and found this post! I am taking A&P 1 & 2 this summer, and while the college I'm at offers and online A&P class, they do not let just anyone take them (from what I can tell). Also has the VA lady that was helping me, tell me that they didn't let just anyone take even the summer A&P courses due to the amount of info crammed into such a short time. I took it when I was in the USAF in 99' so most is refresher (forgot a lot though lol) so I didn't have a problem doing the SUM classes. I would be awful as an online student lol...too easily distracted. I just can't see lab being appropriate at home, but that's just me :) Sent from my iPhone using allnurses.com

And nurses like you ma'am, are the BEST to work with and helped in my decision to go back to school. As an USAF medic, our training is a lot like that of an LVN, so while I do have some knowledge, there is so much more to learn. As a tech, working with nurses who help inform their techs and also realize that (some) techs do posses some useful knowledge, makes the job so much better...again IMO

I was never "required" to know the meaning or the "why's" of what I was asked to do; HOWEVER, when time permitted (whether while doing said task) I asked all the "why's" and the RN's I worked with where ALWAYS willing to teach. But I'm a "why" person, I WANT to how, why, outcomes, everything. Just because I love to learn. I ask questions to learn, NEVER meaning that in questioning the RN/Doc...and they always knew that. I personally think that whether RN/Tech/EMS, we should all know the "why" of whatever we are doing...who wants a py asking "why am u doing _____?" And have to say "oh because _____ said to?" Yes that's true but having a little knowledge helps IMO.

I am just starting nursing school and was a former UAF medic and ER tech and there wasn't anything I wouldn't do. But I love my job and even though there were days I wondered why on earth I worked there, at the end of the day, I knew something I did during my shift was appreciated. I worked with nurses that trusted me and taught me so much. I didn't need "thank u" 24/7 but I knew they appreciated me. Somedays I think all I did was play housekeeper lol but then there were more days I got to get my hands dirty with everyone else! So much just depends on the attitude of the tech, like everyone has said here.