Nurses working in EMS system?

[Novisen]

Hello everyone!

Hope you have indulgence with my poor english but a think you understand what I mean. I work in Sweden. On every ambulance there are at least one nurse working. We don´t have the Paramedicsystem but we have staff with BLS education that is not allowed to admin drugs. In Sweden you have to study 3 years to become a nurse. After that you go to ambulance school for 40 weeks anf get your master. I´m a nurse with a master in ambulance science and a anaesthesia nurse (190 weeks in school). I work parttime (50%) in ambulance and the rest in the operation room putting patient to sleep.

The only country a heard of that have a simular system is the Netherlands even thought there is another coutries that allows nurses in the prehospital settings. Is there any nurses working in the EMS systems in your country?

Novisen//

[somedic]

Why dont you keep the nurses in the hospital where they belong and begin educating a new type of health care professional for over there called a PARAMEDIC?

Somedic Sends.

[chbare]

Yes, some services utilize registered nurses in the United States. Many of these nurses work as a critical care transport providers; however, I have known a few that took 911 calls as well.

EDIT:

Somedic, I will have to take issue with your statement regarding nurses only belonging in hospitals. I am most curious to know the rationale behind your statement.

Take care,

chbare.

[BEorP]

In Ontario, you need to be an A-EMCA (Paramedic) to work on an ambulance. RNs are now allowed to challenge this certification but they do still need to complete a preceptorship first I believe.

So to answer your question, no we do not have nurses on ambulances in Ontario.

[whit72]

Because if nurses start manning ambulances the almighty paramedic wont be the highest level of care, A shot too the ego that some medics couldn't handle.

When 90% of your call volume could walk to the hospital. It barely justifies a paramedic never mind a nurse with 6 years of education. I believe its wasted, keep them where they be beneficial to the most people. In EMS you treat one at a time. So if its a stubbed toe you own it. How long you think their going to hang around making 18hr transporting people that don't require their education, before they quit get a hospital job paying double that, in a safe controlled enviorment without the issues and political bullshit?

Thats why I believe whole heartedly in the tiered system. The burnout ratio isn't as high, the medics get too use their skills, and stay sharp and the EMT gets to experience the emergency setting. Save the "No EMT should be on an emergency ambulance" crock of shit. I am sick of hearing that. Most EMTs with half a head on their shoulders can handle the majority of what they will encounter.

[chbare]

We need to keep the six years of education concept in context to the situation. We are not talking about the United States and I dare not condemn another countries system without first hand knowledge of how that system works. The original poster simply seems curious as to how a similar approach is applied (if at all) in other countries.

Take care,

chbare.

[whit72]

I am not condemning anyone. I just think there are more useful roles for them to play.

Just my opinion.

[vivibonita]

In Colombia, there's either a nurse or a doctor with a so-called paramedic (someone from the red cross or civil defense with EMT-B training) working in an ambulance. However, there's a new proposal directed to change this, where paramedics are trained as paramedics who can work in the prehospital setting while the nurses and doctors are in the hospital waiting for the patient.

Peace.

Vivi

[Novisen]

Thanks for your answers!

The education to become a ambulance nurse is 40 weeks in Sweden. If I compere it to education program to become a Paramedic I will say it´s the same we study. We also have another system in operation. When I work as an anhestesian nurse I have full responsibillity for the patient. We have one anhestesiologist that have 5-10 ongoing operation at the same time. We can call for him if we having problem. His/her job is to assess patients, spinal and ED anaesthesia. When we have children they are with us as support. I will say that my knowledge and skills are good for the patients. Anhestesia nurses are by tradition often working prehospital in Sweden.

Novisen//

[kyle308]

from what i've seen. In the United States most nurses who don't work in the hospital work as a Flight Nurse on an Air ambulance helicopter