scott33

Yup, straight from the horse's mouth. "Volunteers", "event work", "charity", "Christian" Though unlike the US volies, they do not follow the same curriculum as the professionals, and they do not even train to EMT-basic Yes (and I will avoid the nasty comments circulating on other forums about that) they do start them young, which is good. But it's all the wrong stuff they are being taught, such as militaristic nonsense. Sure, I think all relevant point have been proven So what about these bloody nurses then? 'effing useless or what

So you have absolutely nothing to back up your series of "incorrect" statements other than your opinion. Citation would be nice.

Yeah, it has to be said... The reason why Zippy is so full if it here is that nobody knows what SJA is. I am not going to get into a Johnny-hating debate because as has already been said, there is a lot of that form professional UK staff, and his attitude is not typical of all of them. However, a few facts...They are primarily an "event cover" organisation, covering things like the London Marathon, football matches, open air concerts etc. They are a Christian orientated charity, volunteers who DO NOT train to any level above EMT-B in spite of taking perhaps several years to achieve this. Their equivalent of Basic EMT have a considerably lower level of skills they can apply to the pt (no traction splints, blood sugars, epi-injectors, acticated charcoal, LMA / combitube etc. No lungs sounds, no nebulized meds for asthmatics.). They are however, the masters of the sling and swath. Although their training is limited, SJA will happily take on people who are already health care professionals (HCP's), whether Paramedics, Doctors or RN's. This is where Zippy comes into play, and this is where the truth is fogged about the SJA volunteer's scope of practice; something which Zippy will so readily exploit. He remains the only RN in the UK (as quoted on this forum) to be permitted to take his drugs out of his hospital, and into his ambulance for his standby work, all with complete autonomy. He knows most of what he posts here would not fly in the UK forums.

Same here, and I do use a mac. I will just go and boot up my PC, and return in half an hour when it has gone through it's security checks, and pop-up blocks

2010! Shit Doobs I will be retired by then! :wink: Welcome back.

Never practiced there, never (ever) claimed to. I would however, rather trust information from a variety of UK sources, personally known or related to to me, and currently practicing, than from one forum user who freely admits "posting for provocation purposes"

Yes, I lived there for over three decades, and still have many family and friends who are currently RN's, of all disciplines (except paeds) in the UK. I also did a handful of undergrad (open) uni credits with a view to going into nursing in the UK, before I came here. Zippy's hospital appears to be the only one in the UK where the nurses are all autonomous prescribers, and Doctors are inferior (in practice) to the Nursing staff. I don't doubt he is a smart guy, but sometimes he believes his own hype. If practice in the UK were that advanced, it would take someone like me a little longer than 20 days (overseas nursing programme) didactic and clinical to obtain my NMC pin number. It's a good system, but no better than anywhere else, though it should be noted that penny-pinching will always equal compromise.

Simply not true Zippy and you know it. And as for what you can do outside of your hospital environment...

Here is the only place you should be looking. Unfortunately, unless you have family here, it is not going to be good news. If you became a Paramedic in the UK, you would find it much easier to move to Canada, or Oz. They also have more progressive systems, than most of the US

This is a very good point

We tried them out, and didn't like them. All this talk of back injuries seems to ignore the fact that even with the power pro, heavy lifting is still involved. Such as getting the patient onto the device in the first place, or taking the weight on the back of the ambulance while the wheels retract (sometimes painfully slower than with the non electric variety due to the awful battery life). It does have its pluses which are self-evident, and is a move in the right direction, but it is by no means "gold standard". That would involve a substantial change in ambulance design. As far as the non electrical variety go, only a fool would attempt to lift more that they are comfortable with.

Mate, No one is badgering. If the requirements of the program contradict how other programs are run, and to the detriment of the student, then perhaps those who run it should apply some introspection. No one is having a go at you, but what is the point in having you out this early, when all you can do is start lines? I don't go near my ride time until March / April, and have lots of static clinicals to do before then, as well as the all important cardiology I and II. Put it down to experience, you will soon be on top of the game. You have now discovered the down side to taking one of the few medic programs in the state, which offers an associates degree at the end.

But what if they call an ambulance, because their heating is out, or they can't sleep, or they want to talk to someone, or the all too common "lift assist"? (such as the Delta call I had the other day). People can say "A" on the phone, but state "B" to the arriving crew, it happens all the time. Not all calls need the patient taken to hospital, and less still are actual emergencies. We should really start to see ourselves as more than just a transport service. Furthermore, we should not be afraid to say to the patient on an obvious BS call (insomnia, broken fingernail, etc) that their 911 call is tying up emergency services which can be put to better use. What I am starting to hate, is the blind leading the blind when it comes to lack of clinical insight on calls, and willingness to transport any old crap. Thats the sort of stuff which keeps the "job" from being a "profession"

What ^ said... Your "medic' may need reminding that there has been many a pacemaker, which has produced a perfectly synchronized series of pacing spikes at 80BPM, on a long-since expired patient. As has already been mentioned, there are a few different types of pacemaker - A-paced, V-paced, dual chamber, demand, Pacemeaker / defibrillator etc. The demand devices, for example, only fire when they are required to, so most of the time you will have a normal looking EKG. Pacemakers are also not entirely free from the odd electromechanical hic-up, and they often have to have computerized interrogation, to make sure everything is in sync, and correct it if it is not. As for the patient, treat her like you would any other, and in the correct order.

Sadly you could name most UK towns and a google search would bring up a similar story. It is by no means limited to the Glasgow area. http://icwales.icnetwork.co.uk/news/wales-...91466-20184400/ http://www.blackpoolgazette.co.uk/respect-...tion.1547113.jp http://www.eastbourneherald.co.uk/news/Par...ient.3406855.jp http://www.secamb.nhs.uk/latest-news/july-...medic-assaulted http://www.lep.co.uk/manchesternews/Viciou...crew.3435908.jp etc, etc...

We should consider ourselves fortunate that is is not nearly as bad here as in other parts of the world. In the UK for example, it is an all too common problem, not helped by the pitiful sentences handed down to those that actually make it to court - "community service" for example. I have no problems in involving PD if I even suspect some form of aggression heading my way, but Here is just one example of how assault / battery against EMS elsewhere is regarded as being of little significance. Pathetic.

Edit: and again...sorry

Edit: duplicate post

I have heard the same about the CC, but nothing concrete as yet. There has never been a legal issue with the bridge course / advanced standing, I just believe that nobody wants to be the one to take it on, in case it goes tits up. I think St Vinnies used to offer advanced standing for CCs, as well as somewhere upstate. Look at the figures though, 2,500 EMT-CCs, and 1,500 EMT-Is in NY state. Would it not seem like a logical step to offer a bridge to EMT-P, providing standards were maintained (perhaps mandated for registry too) thus hopefully creating a few thousand more capable and experienced providers out there, and getting rid of two of the many EMT-insert-letter-of-choice-here certifications.

As far as I am aware, no one, and God knows I looked. You are better doing the course from scratch anyway, as it will get you into the Paramedic way of thinking, i.e. more assessment, from the outset. The bonus is, if you were any good as a CC, you will already know intubation, IV access, at least half of cardiology, some of the pharmacology, a little drug math, and a soupcon of advanced patient assessment. CC should never be seen as anything other than a stepping stone to Paramedic. Good little course, but with it's limitations

The fact that a 19 Y/O is asking about when she can start driving, is reason enough to up the minimal age to 25, with EMT, and CDL as prerequisites. Might go a long way to minimise the amount of idiots who run red lights, often with a perfectly stable patient on board.

We have had a couple for pediatric resp / cardiac arrests. Impressive stuff.

Just to repeat what others have said. I am not sure this is VT. Lack of extreme right axis, lack of concordance in the V leads, and lack of morphological criteria in V-1 and V-6. Amiodarone either way Did you try thumping the monitor a couple of times? #-o

I would like to see some public naming and shaming of any EMS system that mandates this. This is the kind of stupidity that is keeping pockets of EMS in the dark ages, and makes it look even WORSE than a taxi service. It wouldn't surprise me though, if there were some system somewhere, who really think they are going above and beyond, by trying to enforce pitiful practices such as this. ](*,) I would flat out refuse.

Once again you are taking things completely out of context, and not looking at the big picture. Surely you don't believe the RN salary in Tennessee (if the quoted figures are correct) is in any way near the US average. As I have said, no matter what State you are in (including TN) the dollar in the US will take you further than the pound will in the UK, in spite of the exchange rate. Take it from someone who has lived a long time in both countries. Don't need to repeat myself by mentioning UK fuel prices ($8 or $9 a gallon) or the price of perishables / consumables, transport, electrical goods etc. Whoops, too late. So, sticking with Tennessee, here is another example. For a mere £75,000 in TN (less than 4 times the RN salary there if you wish) you too can own something like this On the other hand, for an EXTRA £ 25,000 MORE, that's £100,000 (or more than 5 times the UK RN salary) you can splash out on this in the UK (might want to enlarge the pic) That's a whopping 20 sq meters of...rubble if you weren’t counting. Still I hope they throw in the wooden pallet and the wheelbarrow. Would hate to see anyone getting ripped off. It's the same old story, paying out a lot more for a lot less. no matter how much you want to play with figures, unsociable hours, or exchange rates, the fact remains UK nurses are poorly comensated when compaired to the US. I'm not bragging, I am stating facts. I think it's a bloody shame, and a rip off. Perhaps though, you honestly believe UK nurses are paid their worth. I don't!