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    Preparing for paramedic school

    +1 on the Marieb book. I used it as an adjunct to my A&P text (The AAOS A&P) and I find myself referencing it all the time now in medic school. The Lippincott is the book I have for cardio as well. Very good.
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    how to fix EMS

    +1 We'll have to drag EMS kicking and screaming into the 21st century, though. Anytime I've broached the subject at the two systems I work in the old guard gets bent out of shape. And that's why we will always be second level compared to RNs (soon to be a BS minimum, I'd bet). Well...
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    I didn't get in to EMS for the fights...

    Man I think I'd like that job. A little tune up every now and then is good for the soul. :P No job is worth your sanity or your safety. It's a job. A means to an end. Good luck in your search.
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    Medic School is like hell...with lunch breaks...

    You're missing something. This is an 11 month course. Not a two year degree. We have way more important things to absorb in this very short time. When I did my full degrees in other fields I saw the importance of a more well rounded educational experience and more comprehensive info. We...
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    Medic School is like hell...with lunch breaks...

    I'll have to strongly disagree. As will every student I've talked to in both county programs, and every medic we've talked to across the five or six services where we work. The year a prescription was first written in ancient history has less than nothing to do with paramedic practice, nor...
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    Medic School is like hell...with lunch breaks...

    Hell with lunch breaks. That sums it up. :P In an 11 month course in which the instructor has no time to teach, only to read thru the bullets on the power point slides. He said up front you have to basically teach yourself everything except clinical/practical. Which wouldn't be so bad...
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    Clinical preceptors

    In the small town hospitals where I work and do medic clinicals I have been very, very impressed with almost all the nurses I have come in contact with. They are impressive, really. Doctors just don't have time to give where I work/intern. So the Nurses do it and they do it very, very well...
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    Nursing Homes

    That's been my experience in the short time I've been doing this job, as well. We never know what we're liable to see going into one of the many LTC facilities in our district. By and large, the LPNs and CNAs appear to be the bottom of the barrel around here. I'm sure there are excellent...
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    good way to start a conversation w/ patient

    You could do it like almost everyone at my station and just walk in, tower over them with your hands crammed in your pockets and a disinterested look and say "Haaaay sug/sweetheart/honey/buddy/brotha whaz going on today?" and when they answer you can reply "Weeeelll when did all dis start...
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    Dumb Question

    I must admit, as a tech head I wondered that myself. Thanks. :)
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    Volunteering before finding a job

    I have recently discovered that this is sadly quite true. Ask me how I know. :P
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    question on eligibilty with military BCD

    An Administrative Discharge is generally not an issue in civilian life, even an OTH, especially if it was a long time ago. But the Big Chicken Dinner or Dishonorable can really screw you. Yours was relatively recent, too. You can probably get certified by the state but employers will take a...
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    Seekers who are good actors!

    I've seen far too many seekers in my short career already who are obviously trying to scam us. How can we be sure? Because we pick them up every week, or more, for some crazy ailment. One, a very overweight 30-ish lady, always has a new complaint and last time it was appendicitis. She...
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    Why ems?

    Well it had to happen sooner or later: we actually agree on something. What's the world coming to? :wacko: But the respect of our peers isn't coming until we also start acting like professionals when on the job, or off the job while wearing identifying insignia (shirts, hats, etc.). There's a...
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    Volunteers. Bane or Blessing?

    I think if you have volleys that are motivated to learn and who want to serve their communities it is a blessing. If you have about 50% who just want to wear a uniform and show up whenever they want or not do much when they do show - which negatively affects the other good 50% ... it's a bane...
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    medics with attitudes

    I guess I'm very lucky. The medics I work with are generally very good at their jobs, patient with the rest of the crew, and they love to teach. One only has to show a motivation to learn, to want to pitch in and handle pts, and give them the appropriate respect - and they do deserve respect...
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    Why ems?

    Always bashing the Basics, eh USAF? Did an EMT-B run off with your wife or something? Kick your dog? What? You come off as a very bitter person in general, but your incessant B-bashing makes one wonder if there's more to the story. C'mon ... spit it out. An EMT-B broke your heart, maybe...
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    CPR with Knee Pads

    LOL. Brings back memories. I used to visit Catford for extended periods and half the time I thought I was in a non-English speaking country when out in the pubs. :D I wear ****ies and I don't really have a problem with my knees during CPR, despite my age. Most of the CPR or C-Spine...
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    Rural volley EMS services eventually going to paid ... opinions?

    Thanks for the input. I guess it's just the nature of the beast and most volley or hybrid stations are similar. We have incentives for volleys, one of which is paid part-time days for EMT-Bs in good standing. Problem is that the chief still schedules staff for paid hours that won't show for...
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    Rural volley EMS services eventually going to paid ... opinions?

    After working the past few months as both a paid and volley EMTB here in VA I've noticed things about our system that makes me curious about other services and the challenges faced by those who are trying to manage the service. And I've had a number of long-time medics and basics tell me they...
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