Hello From Georgia

[emtiangel]

Hiyas I am Angela new out of school and still shaking from the NREMT written. I had the gut feeling i passed it when i was handing it in. I still have that gut feeling. I hope that I did. Well being new i am sure that all you well seasoned medics have advice for the newbies on the block. Tell me some of the things that you have learned over the years. Just anything will be fine. I am so looking foward to hitting the streets and making a difference in someones life. Any and all comments are welcome. Have a beautiful day~! Be safe~!

[jedch47]

My best advice to you is use every call to learn something, whether it be a location, or area, a treatment for a specific illness or how to use your equipment better. When you are first starting out it is all new, you are scared and intimidated, and not sure of yourself. If you have a good partner they will help you through this rough time and mentor you and calm your nerves. Just remember that we were all there and we all have those calls that scare us to death. Don't try to know everything, dont try to do everything, dont over do it. Enjoy the job and all that it has to offer, there is no such thing is a typical call. Use that pt t/p back to the nursing home to practice your vital signs, practice your pt assessment and your history gathering. Talk to your patients, that seems to be one of the biggest problems for new people. The more you talk to people the easier it is. Treat all your patients as you would if they were your own family, that is your grandmother,or father, your mom or dad, or your kids or bother/sister, that will keep you out of trouble and help you feel more comfortable. Enjoy the job and all it has to offer.

[emtiangel]

WEll first off let me assure you I am not in it for the money(giggles) I love people and I honestly care what happens to them. My heart is in it 110%. I being from a small town in Middle Georgia do honestly know most of whom I will come in contact with as a ems care provider. I have found that talking to the patients not only eases my nerves it eases thiers as well. It establishes a form of connection that helps them remain calm as well as myself. I was asked on my first day in Emt school " WHY I WANTED TO BE A EMT" My answer then as it stands true now is I want to make a difference in the life of someone if not but one person then I have done my duty. Very great advice you have given me. I am far from the know it all. I am me and thats all that I can be. I have accepted that I will make mistakes as has every medic when they first came into the carreer. The key for me is to learn what to do and not to do in certain situations. I am looking very foward to working with Ems. During school we were required to do clinicals on the ambulance as 3rd man and in the ER. My most memberable moment was my very last clinical where we were called out to a MVC. Upon arrival I came in contact with this kid that was 18 and scared. We proceeded to immobilize him Ccollar Blocks LSB the works. Nothing apparently wrong with him except he was shaken up. At the recieving hospitals Er we were placed on the wall for several minutes waiting for a bed for him. The young man was nervous and wrestless. He started rocking his self against the wall using his hand. Which made the seasoned medics nervous because as you all know though it may not be apparent to us in the field there still maybe something underlying we cant see. Well I walked over to him , removed his hand from the wall and said though you are nervous and uncomfortable I understand , you may have something wrong. with your spine and please dont move. He held onto my hand and wouldnt let it go. So here I stand in the hallway of the ER holding this youngmans hand. His grandfather who came in about the time we finally got him in a room and looked at me with a tear in his eye telling me thank you for being kind(the boy was still holding my hand and we were in the process of transferring and reassuring him). What did I say in return nothing except " I hope he gets better soon" . That earned me a lecture from the FTO. But when i returned back to school the following Tuesday my Instructor who happens to be a Capt with the group I was riding with gave me a pat on the back and said " If that had of been my child I would have wanted someone to hold his hand too" Enoough said. Well now that I have continued to rattle on I shall bring this to a close. Have a blessed day~!! Be Safe~!

[jedch47]

There are lots of people that are in EMS that don't need to be, and there are not enough people that care for the people that they are treating. It is very easy to be pulled down to their level and start to act like them. You will get more from a kind word than being harsh and rude. I think that it a big part of pt care, to let the pt know what you are doing and why. I even talk to my arrest pt's, I know that will make no difference but who knows they might hear the fact that I am trying all I can and that I am pulling for them. You can get a long way with a kind word and a hand. One of the things I love to do is go into a situation that people say I am going to have a tough pt or a pt that I might have to restrian and end up walking them to the truck and t/p them to the hospital. But always remember that you don't know the people that you treat, there are the ones that shock you, or hurt you when you least expect it. Enjoy the job!

[veronicad]

Just wanted to pick your brain a litle. I will be starting an ems (emtB) training in january 2007. What did you take for course and how long was your course, my course is 4 months and I am in Ventura county, California? Was it a full on Paramedic? I plan on getting that far with it if I see it's something I will enjoy (i'm almost positive I will!). Have you started work yet? What I am interested for you to tell me is how is it day to day. Being a woman, are you mostly surrounded by men and if so how is that going. I really think there is no problem at all, I was just wondering if sometimes you get the "move over little girl" thing!!! My brother in law is a fireman and he has pretty strong feelings about small petit women being firefighters... He does have good points, but anyhow, how is it in the emt department. Also, have you driven the ambulance yet? Is it required that every emt drives, or are there drivers for each ambulance??
Anybody else who has general everyday info on being an emtB, would be appreciated.

[heartrescuer]

Like above I start my schooling Jan. 2007 I am now 50 years old, home schooled our sons who are grown and married now. My Husband is on SSDI and 15 years older than me. But I have worked in an Emergency Room and Minor Illness Clinic nad now a Vol. Member of Community Emergency Response Team. I have been told by JFRD at the academy for our training I would be a good EMT so I got in, the looks I get why at age I love helping people but how do us ladies do it with it being a male dominated world .I do carry my own too and do stuff if it needs to be done I jump in and do it and don't wait for our sons or husband to help. So i am not afraid to get my hands dirty etc but any pointers would be helpful. I live in Jax.,Fla a pretty Big city. Heart Rescuer

[iadybug423]

I just attended WMI (Wilderness Medicine Institute) of NOLS(National outdoor Leadership school) in WY, and got my final results as Passed from NREMT and am now ready to go. I am uncertain exactly how to begin. Private, or public? Or I hear in FL there is something called a EMT Tech for ER. What about non Emergency transport for people who need dialysis or the geriatric care transport?
I love the patient care advice given here. I am 47 next month. Jacksonville is a big city with trauma centers, Leading heart surgeons in pediatric centers and I feel quite nervous, maybe intimidated about being so brand new out of school.
I think a "mentor" partner would be ideal but one can't be guranteed this will happen so any imput, support or guidance here would be greatly appreciated.
Where does one begin once NREMT certified?

Love, Light & Peace,
-Terri

[jedch47]

First things first you have to decide what is best for you. Do you enjoy taking care of patients in a controlled environment or in chaos? Do you want to work in the indoor climate controlled hospital or in the heat, wind and rain on the street. Do you have the physical strength to pick patients up off of the floor and onto a stretcher day after day or slide them from the bed to a stretcher to t/p them. There are alot of variables that you have to consider. Are you an Intermediate or Paramedic? That to makes a difference to. The good thing is where you are at there is alot of oppertunity and options. Also the industry is so short handed you can move around with ease.

[iadybug423]

Well, Preferably in an ambulance but not sure if I have to get my foot in the door for some experience before I can ride. I am EMTB -brand new, outta school, and no experience perse(EMT or medical)

Hey, thanks for the reply. Much appreciated.

-Terri

[doughesson]

I think most outfits expect some experience but will hire you green and figure if you passed the tests for NREMT and State registry,you can learn what's needed on the job.
Have you thought of a volunteer fire department?If one's around where you live,they are always looking for someone else with an EMT license to answer calls.Usually no or little pay but it's a way to get experience in an area where it's required.Odds are,you'll be working with the local amblaunce service(some employees may also volunteer as firefighters) and maybe parlay that into working for them.
Hope this helps.

[jedch47]

One thing that you have to know is that most services make you ride third rider for a while to "get your feet wet". They want to make sure that you know what you are doing with others on scene to monitor you and to make sure that you follow procedures. It is not like you are going to get hired and they put you right on the street all on your own. Dont sweat the small stuff. Have fun and learn from those you work with and the pt's that you see.

[iadybug423]

Just in response to your two posts, Thank you for taking the time to guide someone very "Green" in a positive and helpful direction. I was concerned once school was over and got in the real world I would be thrown into it so fast my head would spin, and I am so glad to hear I won't be thrown to the wolves just yet. I have no problems volunteering to get my feet wet, and get some use of my skills so I can gain confidence and apply those skills with well learned ones-or fine tune those I have and gain a world of knowlege before I actually put hands on.
Were you worried or afraid in the beginning? I want to do this good and right, all the way across the board.
Thanks for help calming these jitters as well. It is greatly appreciated.
-Terri
EMTB
NREMT->Very Green

[heartrescuer]

I already Vol with our JFRD as a Vol for disaster situations too and I think i would like the hospital better preferably our trauma one hospital not knowing what you will get from min tot he next. a couple of years ago a man came in with a knife in his skull that made national news or a gunshot victim or a fire or shotting victim since it is a Trauma One hospital that is what I would want nad if need be I would go out in the field to but we had a paramedic get hurt by helping a bystander on wells rd when a car knocked him off his motorcycle he was reaching for his cell phone to call 911 when another car hit the paramedic going to pick his daughter up from school since he just got off his shift. But i have done Er work at a navy base in the mid 70's and loved it so that is what i would want. For myself. i can take the jokes etc too . heart rescuer

[doughesson]

Were you worried or afraid in the beginning? I want to do this good and right, all the way across the board.
Thanks for help calming these jitters as well. It is greatly appreciated.
-Terri
EMTB
NREMT->Very Green

I started in Kentucky as a volunteer firefighter three years ago so it's all still new to me as well.I just finished EMT-IV school since Tennessee,and hopefully others,will be letting EMT-B level trained people to start IVs.
In my EMT class,some people got a little pale when the instructor started talking about losing people,like no matter how bad the problem,all you need is an EMT and you're gonna make it.
One thing I learned volunteering in Kentucky is that it ain't always so.My old department's had a few bad calls and even though most of us hunt and fish,we don't want to get used to losing patients because then what would you be?
You've passed your course and hopefully kept the books for future reference,haven't you?You might make mistakes but by taking care to ask all the questions you were taught to ask and to look over the patient as carefully and thoroughly as possible,you will miss very little in the field.
My instructor always told us that the first patient is yourself,so if you start feeling jitters on a call,take a deep breath and don't get tense.
I still look at every call I've been on as a learning experience because I know I haven't seen it all.I've made mistakes in the past and probably will still make them but I am still willing to risk a mistake as opposed to not trying to do the job.
Don't forget to ask questions no matter how dumb they might sound when rattling it around inside your head.You might find out something vital or even have something to contribute and get the favorable outcome that we all want on every call.
I hope this helps.

[iadybug423]

"You've passed your course and hopefully kept the books for future reference,haven't you?You might make mistakes but by taking care to ask all the questions you were taught to ask and to look over the patient as carefully and thoroughly as possible,you will miss very little in the field."

I can honestly say I did keep my books. I read several EMT things everyday, whether it is the board, EMT books or other stuff like quick-guide hand book, and will conitnue to read/study-up for a while longer.
Misatakes worry me-several thing worry me because I am looking into the unknown. In part, I wanted to become an EMT so I wouldn't feel so helpless in situations when there is something I can now do.
I am trying to focus on other things like getting started with EMT, getting registered with my state, etc.
It's just really nice to hear other people's stories, worries, fears etc, and it keeps me grounded. Also knowing people take the time to write a reply, explain or guide a new person, and in so many ways it helps me(us) become even better at what we are trying to become.
My Instructor also taught us we are number one.
I so hope and pray whoever I get to work with will train and guide me with patience and knowledge that will allow me to grow and become the best EMTB I can be.
So with that said I will stop here for the moment. Thank you for taking time to write me.
Love, Light Peace,
-Terri

[jedch47]

We all make mistakes, and anyone that say's they don't is full of crap. The thing that you have to remember is to learn from them. I think that you are forgetting one thing, you are not alone! When you are on a truck you have a partner, they are there to help and to watch your back. They will teach you and help you grow as a cargiver. The problem is that not all emt's like their job or truly like to help people. I love the job, I love to help people, and I love to make people smile, but there are the ones that don't. Just remember though "You can learn alot from a dummy". Enjoy the job and the people.

[firescapes]

Hey glad your priority is to help people...bless you....in 25yrs on the job saw all too many that really shouldn't have been doing the job...just a word of advice...the politics of the job...(.not just this job but any job has the politics)..No matter how crappy things can get from the "POLITICS" one should never let them get to the point of where they cause one to project onto the patients....again glad you are here for them.The best reward of all is in helping others.You are going to do just fine on this job....stay SAFE regards...Capt Paul http://www.cafepress.com/firescapes

[TNIV30861]

I have been in EMS for 2 years now...as field personnel and also on the dispatch side. I can assure you that there is no greater feeling of accomplishment than to know that you have helped someone or saved a loved one's life. Although we do save lives, you have to look beyond the whole "hero" aspect...you will learn vaulable lessons from each patient you come in contact with and reguardless of how they perceived you, you will remember them for a lifetime. Your professionalism and skill will make families remember you, especially on BLS. BLS is a great place to start your EMS career, you get to practice your EMT skills and become more competent in your patient care. You will come to know and love your "regular" patients on BLS. You will become comfortable with them and their families. You will learn to anticipate the needs of your patients. Many times I have heard "I admire the work you do. I could never do it." I treat each and every patient just as I would hope someone would treat my family member if they were in that situation. Just remember...that person who is in your care is someone else's mother, father, grandmother, grandfather, sister, brother, aunt, uncle. Good luck and may you have MANY fulfilling years in EMS.

[nadeau526]

I have been a EMT for just about a year now and a FF for about 3 months! You name a call I have prob seen it! However I can tell you no matter how many calls you go on NOT one will present the same way! They might have similarties but are never the exact same. I thought people that die would be the hardest call i've ever been on but I was wrong! It was a 12 year old girl that was raped and left tied a bed in a motel. Cant really get into detals but that was the worst call I have ever been a part of! I have worked fatals accidents, numerous cardiac arrests and a lot of diff breather calls. One of the best compliments I got came from a gentlemen who's wife had cardiac problems well we saved her 2 times in 4 months but we couldnt the 3rd time but he came into our building during our meeting and stood up in front of our crop and gave a speech thanking us for the extra 4 months we gave him to spend with her! We are a all volunteer organization and he donated a VERY nice chunk of cash to us because of it!
I now also help teach a few EMT B courses in the state of CT! If you need any help feel free to shoot me a message and I will try and help you out the best I can!
Good Luck and stay safe out there!!!
Matt