Stressing Out!

[rural_emt]

I know it can be very daunting at first, but as the time goes, so does learning. When you begin the clinical rotations, it's really begins to feel like all of the terms, terminology and any of the other items that are being thrown at you NOW, will begin to make sense. You will do just fine. Don't be afraid to ask the questions (I drove my instructor/clinical coordinator nuts!!!) if you aren't clear on something. I just took the practical exam for paramedic in Memphis, TN.

Don't sweat it. You will do just fine. Have faith in your skills and in the skills of your instructor. I had a blast in class!! I love what I do. Heck, I'm at work (Dixon Ambulance District, Dixon, MO) as I write this.

[unknown]

I know it can be very daunting at first, but as the time goes, so does learning. When you begin the clinical rotations, it's really begins to feel like all of the terms, terminology and any of the other items that are being thrown at you NOW, will begin to make sense. You will do just fine. Don't be afraid to ask the questions (I drove my instructor/clinical coordinator nuts!!!) if you aren't clear on something. I just took the practical exam for paramedic in Memphis, TN.

Don't sweat it. You will do just fine. Have faith in your skills and in the skills of your instructor. I had a blast in class!! I love what I do. Heck, I'm at work (Dixon Ambulance District, Dixon, MO) as I write this.

Now Dixon IS a tiny little place in Pulaski County right out side of Rolla..... Why in the WORLD did you go to MEMPHIS for your test? You are right there by Springfield, and St Louis!

Comming at you from 2 counties due south of your location..........

[AMESEMT]

Thanks for the tips. You will all be glad to know I passed the first major exam with a 92% (we have to get an 80% to be consider passing). I would have gotten higher but I goofed on two questions (teaches me to read more carefully). I am LOVING it!!!!!! This past week we learned about quite a few things but the two highlights were IV/other med routes and intubation. I am a little nervous about Monday since we actually practice on each other. Any good tips for the first time poking someone with an IV catheter? Thanks!

Ames

[WelshMedic]

Practice on a mannikin first...they don't generally tend to scream in pain so much when you miss the vein and push the stick subcutaneously

WM.

( A real tip: keep calm and make sure you know the procedure and the required materials through and through before you even start..)

And congratulations on the test

[AMESEMT]

I am done with three weeks, and only 12 more to go!! I am loving it! I have to say, it is impressive on how much paramedics really have to know about a lot of stuff. Like how much they needed how and why things work, how some injuries occur, etc. (i.e. drugs, kinematics, etc.) It is truly amazing, my hat goes off to those in this profession. I have passed my first 3 exams with flying colors, so I am truly learning a lot. I am glad I decided to go to paramedic school! Thanks for all the support!

Ames

[Dustdevil]

I am done with three weeks, and only 12 more to go!!

You're in a four month long paramedic class? :?

Please tell me that's just the Internship.

[AMESEMT]

No, the 4 months right now is the class room portion. We go until April 11th, then have internships from April 12th to roughly August 8th. The program has been operating this way for years and is put on through a med school (University of Iowa/EMSLRC).

Ames

[Dustdevil]

Well, I guess there is no disputing that eight months is twice as good as four.

Still sounds sorta cheesy to me though. Do you have a link to the curriculum?

[mobey]

Well, I guess there is no disputing that eight months is twice as good as four.

Still sounds sorta cheesy to me though. Do you have a link to the curriculum?

OK I am not familiar with US education at all....So I probably sound really dumb.

But is this entire course 8 months long, including practicum??

If so is this an EMT-P program?

Also...What is the highest level of prehospital provider in the US, and how long is that course?

[AMESEMT]

Easy there Dust. They don't have their curriculum on the website, but they do follow the national standard curriculum for paramedics. They have been doing this for at least 20 years. Their website is:

http://www.uihealthcare.com/depts/emslrc/p...html#specialist

The program they put on is not easy. The instructors are under the direction of the Emergency Medicine Chair of the University of Iowa Hospitals. It is a great teaching hospital all around. Not only do we get our training, but we are exposed (told about) to the latest and greatest in EMS research, and get lectures on the variety of subjects paramedics need to know by the experts in that particular field. Like one of our instructors is working on hypertonic solution for trauma victims. So far it is showing promising results here in Iowa, in California (I believe), and Canada. So not all "short" programs are bad.

Mobey

Paramedic education programs vary in length by what I have heard and seen (paramedic is the highest level). The entire course for me (diactic, clinical, and field) is roughly 9 months in length. From January 2nd to April 11th we are in the classroom, from April 12th to May 30th we are in clinical, then from May 31st to August 8th we are scheduled for field. (The times vary on if you get the skills and patient contacts you need and even doing the clinical and field depends on if you pass the final for the class).

Of course there are other designations you can get in addition (this is where I get a little fuzzy), but paramedic is the highest level. From what I understand (Dust correct me if I am wrong) the other additional education you can get is a critical care paramedic (at least for ground). (Is that right Dust? I have heard of the flight paramedic but that is aero and it focuses on more flight side of things, and most require a CCP?).