EMTs Ever Look at You Like You're Dumb?

Specialties School

Published

I'm a new school nurse at a High School, and more than once I've felt that they look at me like I'm dumb. The funny thing is that the nurse who oriented me told that they do that (lol)

Earlier, they came in to take a student to the hospital to get checked out because his pupils were the size of the moon (suspected drug abuse) and he was non responsive, EMT asked me if I knew his history, I said no, he replied "Oh so you're not the nurse",

.... Uh yes I am, excuse me if I don't know the history of my 300+ students :nono::cyclops:

So yeah, I only know if I'm in front of my computer. Ugh. Plus I don't really know what to do when they come in, I just let them take over. Maybe I shouldn't ? Eh I don't know. lol

Specializes in School nursing.

I have a one page health form (back/front) that I have parents fill out at the beginning of the year. It becomes my go-to sheet for EMS as it includes: child's name, parents, contact numbers, preferred transport hospital, doctor's info, current medications, current/past medical history, allergies. I grab it, make a copy, and have it ready for EMS. The stack of them for my entire school sits on my desk, ready for me to direct someone to grab or if someone else needs to grab it in an emergency.

Sometimes I don't even get a chance to get full vitals in some situations - EMS response rate is quick around my school. And they have always been awesome to work with! I love 'em. I guess I have been lucky, but I have full support for calling and when I have automatically defended myself to EMS, they shake their heads and tell me I was on the money.

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Mine know me, so they don't really mess with me. Volunteer here.

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We need a pic of you in your cape, too.

Yes, please! And I'm amazed he has 02 available and a NRB mask! What a hero!

Mine know me, so they don't really mess with me. Volunteer here.

Same here - I worked ER for a long time with these people and live in a small town. They know and trust me.

You can't leave a student to go get their H&P info . . . you are assessing an emergency situation. Get the kid in a safe position, check airway, do VS, etc. Remember your ABC's.

I've called on kids in respiratory distress that don't seem that bad because things can turn on a dime. Better safe than sorry.

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Specializes in school nursing, ortho, trauma.
I try to at least have vitals to report, know allergies, and brief medical history.

They usually don't care to hear it, but I report it anyway.

Yeah, I've seen the 'tude, but they are MY students, and I will report to them appropriately, then step aside.

This is my usual experience too. I find that i'm usually shoved aside once ems arrives, they usually don't wish to hear that much of a report.

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Specializes in IMC, school nursing.

I am shopping programs and am about to call SNAP, will ask if there is a way we can use our phones to remotely access the records. Maybe develop an app? I will put the bug in their ear at least. Oh, that's a different thread.

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Specializes in Pediatrics Retired.

Sometimes I see a kind of "pack" mentality build as the scene dynamics change with the arrival of the various responders. EMS-RN, I know you understand what I'm talking, in cases where ultimately the 911 caller ends up being the brunt of sarcasm and condescension and then that gets bantered about between the parties until the next event. I can see how this has come about because most of the 911 calls are really not. But, one never knows when "this" call involves the Grim Reaper. Know what I mean?

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I am shopping programs and am about to call SNAP, will ask if there is a way we can use our phones to remotely access the records. Maybe develop an app? I will put the bug in their ear at least. Oh, that's a different thread.

I see what you did there.

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EMTs aren't always as smart as they think they are. When my MIL died at my home several years ago, they tried to tell me she had been dead for hours. Her HR had been in the 40s just a few minutes prior. I guess I should have put on my hospice nurse name badge prior to their arrival LOL

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EMTs aren't always as smart as they think they are. When my MIL died at my home several years ago, they tried to tell me she had been dead for hours. Her HR had been in the 40s just a few minutes prior. I guess I should have put on my hospice nurse name badge prior to their arrival LOL

I'm so sorry for your loss.

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Avill...

Getting nailed with a million-and-three questions all at once is ok, but receiving snide remarks to an "I don't know" isn't - Sorry for that. Would've been better had they just respectfully asked if you had access to (or could send someone to retrieve) the requested info. Again, sorry for the unnecessary rudeness.

I >>**Really**

As far as what to do when they arrive: **Concise** focused report about what happened, what's been done, and basic info about the patient (Age/Hx/Meds/Allergies - allow me to reiterate my love of Jen-Elizabeth's solution). Even if they may not appear to be paying attention, any decent crew will be listening. Do remain present and available to assist but also try to stay out of their way. Once summoned and on scene it becomes theirs. Laws may change from place to place but where I'm at it's an automatic misdemeanor to interfere with EMS, upgraded to felony if the interference results in suspected pt harm (happy to say that's such a rarity it's not even an issue - in 30 years I've only seen that occur once).

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Specializes in Float Pool - A Little Bit of Everything.

I have learned in all the settings I work in, that EMS personnel are different beasts from the nurse. I even rode with them for a day of orientation at one ER I worked in. They think differently and are very vocal and/or expressive with facial gestures. They like to be quick and to the point, if I am not quick and to the point when they are looking for something or some type of info, sometimes I will see an odd gesture or they will say something off coorifice. I feel like I understand how they feel because when I call report to different settings, I am happy I am on the phone and not looking at the person. My body language, expressions, gestures, etc. could be taken the wrong way I am sure.

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Specializes in Pediatrics Retired.
I have learned in all the settings I work in, that EMS personnel are different beasts from the nurse. I even rode with them for a day of orientation at one ER I worked in. They think differently and are very vocal and/or expressive with facial gestures. They like to be quick and to the point, if I am not quick and to the point when they are looking for something or some type of info, sometimes I will see an odd gesture or they will say something off coorifice. I feel like I understand how they feel because when I call report to different settings, I am happy I am on the phone and not looking at the person. My body language, expressions, gestures, etc. could be taken the wrong way I am sure.

You brought up a good point...In defense of EMS, although they don't hear it, they get a lot of ridicule and sarcasm from ER staff when they call in their "in-route to your facility" report. I'm guilty of it. Admit it,it's true! I've even heard other EMS crews join in the fun if they happen to be in the ER when another EMS unit calls in report.

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