Re: Digest Number 2448

[Guest guest]

My level of training: paramedic

In response: that sounds all good and well, but the system needs to be

massively overhauled in order for us to achieve our rightful place as

a health care profession. EMS has definitely gone a long way

considering it's infancy, but changes (sometimes painful) must be made

for the betterment of the profession. I have no doubt that you and

your frontier colleagues are very professional both in your demeanor

and your competence, but in my opinion, a " piece of paper " goes a long

way as far as getting other health care professionals to recognize us

as a valid health care entity.

Just my $0.02.

Regards,

Alfonso R. Ochoa

[Guest guest]

This fall, i went back to school to get my License Paramedic, and to also start

the transition course to become an RN.

I took A & P 1, A & P 2, Microbiology, Pharmo (for nursing), and Foundations for

nursing.

While paramedic school taught me what to do, why do to it, when to do it, it

didn't teach me the bodies response and reactions. Through A & P, I have learned

now why the body does what it does.

I went through on of the best EMT programs in the state, but they still failed

to teach certain things (as with any program).

My point being, the education might not get us more money, and we might just get

a " piece of paper " in the long run. The knowledge that we gain through these

extra classes with help us, and help out patients.

I work in a rural ems setting. We are on the Bolivar Peninsula (Galveston

county). We have to ride a 20 ferry just to get to the hospital. There are

only 2 paramedics on the entire peninsula. Our population in the winter is

about 5,000 and in the summer, it rises up to about 50,000 easily (because of

the beach). Our service is the only MICU Capable unit on the entire peninsula.

It's nothing for us to have to drive 20 miles down to the other end of the

peninsula to help out in a full arrest or 10-50.

I encourage everyone, wether basic level or paramedic level, to go back and take

those extra classes. You might just get a " piece of paper " but your patients

will benefit in the long run.

" If you think education is expensive, try ignorance. "

Forey EMT-P

[Guest guest]

This fall, i went back to school to get my License Paramedic, and to also start

the transition course to become an RN.

I took A & P 1, A & P 2, Microbiology, Pharmo (for nursing), and Foundations for

nursing.

While paramedic school taught me what to do, why do to it, when to do it, it

didn't teach me the bodies response and reactions. Through A & P, I have learned

now why the body does what it does.

I went through on of the best EMT programs in the state, but they still failed

to teach certain things (as with any program).

My point being, the education might not get us more money, and we might just get

a " piece of paper " in the long run. The knowledge that we gain through these

extra classes with help us, and help out patients.

I work in a rural ems setting. We are on the Bolivar Peninsula (Galveston

county). We have to ride a 20 ferry just to get to the hospital. There are

only 2 paramedics on the entire peninsula. Our population in the winter is

about 5,000 and in the summer, it rises up to about 50,000 easily (because of

the beach). Our service is the only MICU Capable unit on the entire peninsula.

It's nothing for us to have to drive 20 miles down to the other end of the

peninsula to help out in a full arrest or 10-50.

I encourage everyone, wether basic level or paramedic level, to go back and take

those extra classes. You might just get a " piece of paper " but your patients

will benefit in the long run.

" If you think education is expensive, try ignorance. "

Forey EMT-P