of course im asking because in all honesty i feel like i know nothing... yes ive passed all my tests with out to many problems but when you really get into the nitty gritty of ems how do you know what is right? i keep thinking about how i would approach an mva or anything traumatic but idk i cant seem to think what to do.. i know what my book says but my book is right according to NR but what about actual field work.. i was a white cloud during clinicals so i know what to do during a code MI but trauma is totally different, i have no experience and im worried ill eff up. i did well on my skills, trauma packing was always my strong point but its different in a class room setting. ive never even been in an accident where ems was called let alone see one..im not scared of the situation but scared ill be foolish when someone is depending on me..
how do you know...
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That's the reason for internships and FTO periods. Even after you're released to the street, you won't be the sole caregiver on scene as a brand new EMT with no prior experience. Don't worry too much. You'll settle into your groove over time and do what needs to get done. Most of the time, trauma scenes aren't overly complicated. For even severely injured patients, rapid and safe packaging followed by comfortable and safe transport and the most thorough assessment you can do is key.
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Any. Hands you could do some ride alongs with a busy service. You would eventually get a few mvas or traumas.
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Depends if you'll be working on an ambulance or not. Volunteering at a fire station and riding the BRT with 1000 of your closest friends to minor MVAs and smoke alarms won't really make you a better or more experienced EMT. Getting to see a quality medic or EMT perform good patient care from time of contact to transfer to the hospital would certainly be beneficial though, particularly for someone who hasn't had much exposure to EMS.
they are a rural company so i figure i will get exsposed to many a thing. they are fire and ems.. a lot in my area do not do volunteering or ride alongs because of insurance issues. my clinical experience was mainly with amr ( which ill probly end up working for) so my ambulance experience was mostly pt transfers.. even when i was on als busses i got bls calls. i got more action in an ER than i ever did on an ambulance(privet and public)
I was a driver for the 9 months of EMT class so I saw quite a bit.
When I got my EMT I was concerned a bit. However my first big call instinct kicked in more than anything. If it is a big MVA, you will call for back up. If it is a major trauma or a bad medical call you will want to call for ALS. Personally, I wont hesitatw to call ALS enroute. Not often but we are a rural system and usually run BLS. If an officer shows on scene and the pt is found unresponsive, I'll call a medic out before I get there. They respond to scene. So you won't always have to be alone to "eff up "
If it is too much and you don't feel you can handle it, you probably need ALS.
If you did well in class, truly put effort into it, trust your knowledge and let it come to you.
When I got my EMT I was concerned a bit. However my first big call instinct kicked in more than anything. If it is a big MVA, you will call for back up. If it is a major trauma or a bad medical call you will want to call for ALS. Personally, I wont hesitatw to call ALS enroute. Not often but we are a rural system and usually run BLS. If an officer shows on scene and the pt is found unresponsive, I'll call a medic out before I get there. They respond to scene. So you won't always have to be alone to "eff up "
If it is too much and you don't feel you can handle it, you probably need ALS.
If you did well in class, truly put effort into it, trust your knowledge and let it come to you.
one thing we were told in class is als is best... not saying we arnt competent but if we felt we werent able to handle call for als assist.
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If you don't feel comfortable ask for help. With that said, if the hospital is closer than help is just boogy to the hospital.
Despite what class said the vast majority of what we deal with isn't time sensitive. You'll be fine.