What's up with the RN vs Paramedic hate?

[ErikWeeWoo, BSN, RN, EMT-P]

I've been active in EMS for 8 years and have been active as an RN for 6 years. I don't understand where all the tension between RNs and Paramedics comes from. It's very much so two different specialties, but there's significant overlap. 

It seems like when I'm working ED, paramedics (especially outside the EMS agency I work for) seem to like to cop an extremely unnecessary attitude. When I'm on the ambulance, it seems like RNs (especially in other hospitals aside from the ED I work in) always do the exact same.

It's to the level that I get treated completely differently based only on what badge buddy I wear. 

I have very little issue with anyone that I've actually worked with. I avoid drama, am relatively well liked among my coworkers. Transfer of care is a pain in the rear for everybody regardless of whom to whom, but what's with all of the drama? Does anyone else relate?

[Chickenlady]

Other than individual personal issues, I haven't really seen that.  Paras and nurses get along fine where I work.

[speedynurse, ADN, BSN, RN, EMT-P]

I have seen this some but generally it’s the personnel that are highly critical of many fields not just ER nurses or paramedics. I still hold my paramedic certification but work as an RN.  The emergency department I worked in generally worked well with both fields. 

[HiddencatBSN, BSN]

My husband is a paramedic and I’m a peds er nurse.

We are rude to each other because we’ve been married too long ?

Honestly though, I’ve always been polite and friendly with EMS and nearly always get the same in response. If I am concerned about any care issues I bring it up to someone who can follow up with the medical command for education, if I’m frustrated about being overwhelmed with too many ambulances I recognize that as a staffing issue (or a bad shift if it’s not happening frequently). 

[FolksBtrippin, BSN, RN]

Paramedics get paid a lot less than we do and some of them are quite resentful about that.

 

[rzyzzy]

My ADN program was evenly split between LPN’s and Medics “bridging” to RN.. 
 

Much respect to the medics - they had an easy time with some of the things the lpn’s struggled with (cardiac rhythms!), and had to fight through the structure of the nursing process - the medics all graduated on time & I’d be quite delighted to have any of them around in any capacity- nurse, medic, or “teller of awesome stories”..  

[OUxPhys, BSN, RN]

I guess it really depends on the person's personality tbh. Some people are just more angry than others. My aunt told me a story about how her son went to the hospital for a dislocated hip and it was the medic who told the ER doc when they got there that they saw some dislocation. Both the ER doctor and nurse essentially brushed off what the EMT said. Turns out the EMT was correct and the delay from the ER doctor only made the situation worse for my cousin. I told my aunt she had a legitimate malpractice case but at the time she didn't even consider it. 

I feel like with any profession you will have a few that give a bad name for the majority. 

[HiddencatBSN, BSN]

14 minutes ago, OUxPhys said:

I guess it really depends on the person's personality tbh. Some people are just more angry than others. My aunt told me a story about how her son went to the hospital for a dislocated hip and it was the medic who told the ER doc when they got there that they saw some dislocation. Both the ER doctor and nurse essentially brushed off what the EMT said. Turns out the EMT was correct and the delay from the ER doctor only made the situation worse for my cousin. I told my aunt she had a legitimate malpractice case but at the time she didn't even consider it. 

I assume you have more details on what transpired to make that determination. 

[OUxPhys, BSN, RN]

1 hour ago, HiddencatBSN said:

I assume you have more details on what transpired to make that determination. 

It had something to do with had he been taken to the OR alot sooner then he wouldn't have had as much damage? Im not sure of the specifics but the issue was the ER doctor delayed.

[Golden_RN, MSN]

Oh my gosh.  LVN vs. RN.  ADN vs. BSN.  floor vs. ICU.  Hospital nurse vs. SNF/psych nurse.  Experienced nurse vs. new grad.  Why are we such a grumpy bunch sometimes?

[Wuzzie]

Honestly I never really saw it happen when I was working with medics as a nurse. Sure, we all have our jerky moments, but nothing more than squabbles between over stressed humans. The only place I’ve noticed any vitriol of substance is on this site when someone from one side gets on here to tell the other side how much they suck and how much better they are. 

[Guest219794]

There is very little of this where I work, but I have seen it- from both sides.

It is dumb and counter productive, and would not happen if each walked in the other's shoes.  Even for 1 shift.

Even when I think an EMS crew has done something boneheaded, I am cordial.  If for no other reason than it makes my job easier and improves pt care.  But, if something really egregious happens, I will might speak to a shift supervisor- though never in an official, documented way.

I would guess that the folks you are talking about are generally conflict oriented, not just limited to the nurse/medic thing.  In other words, a nurse who acts like a dink in dealing with a medic is simply a dink.  And, versa visa.