Recent content by Altered Mental Status

  1. Altered Mental Status

    Sternal rub... who's doing it?

    Ugh. That's sh*tty.
  2. Altered Mental Status

    Gold patched, y'heard? (Now that I'm through, let me tell you my story)

    Thanks, guys! There are a lot of former military in EMS because it's one of jobs where that military mentality fits well: stick to the training, stick to the protocol, keep your "watch log" (PCR) squared-away, your equipment stowed properly and give a proper turnover. Be a team player with...
  3. Altered Mental Status

    Staff Systems with More EMTs and Fewer Paramedics

    This may just be because I'm a Navy gal but I believe in roles and SOPs. I also believe in drills to stay sharp and I wonder why we don't do more of that. EMTs are not "ambulance drivers." We can't lose sight of that. There's a reason the standard is not to have an EMR driving the box with a...
  4. Altered Mental Status

    Gold patched, y'heard? (Now that I'm through, let me tell you my story)

    I passed Paramedic Registry. I know this has got to be like, the gazillionth thread like this but y'all have no idea what I did to get here; I had an uphill battle. Both ways. I'm freaking proud of myself and I want to share. I grew up in NY and joined the Navy. Got out a couple years later...
  5. Altered Mental Status

    Post the # your test stopped at, and if you Passed/Failed

    Paramedic Stopped around the 85-some-odd-question range. PASSED with 40 minutes left on the clock. w00t!
  6. Altered Mental Status

    National Registry Exam Expired Time. Pass or Fail?

    Time expired for me today at like 107 questions. I've decided to simply not stress myself about this. If I gotta take it again, I'll take it a damned gain.
  7. Altered Mental Status

    [much amuse] Doge Passed Registry. Wow.

    I love Doge. <3
  8. Altered Mental Status

    [much amuse] Doge Passed Registry. Wow.

    You're welcome.
  9. Altered Mental Status

    Ready for an unpopular idea?

    I'd like to say that I suspect it's a lot harder to come up in this business in these times. Many of you who have been doing this for 10+ years didn't have as much of the worries about getting sued for every freakin thing on your backs and were much more free to focus on getting the job done...
  10. Altered Mental Status

    Ready for an unpopular idea?

    My two cents (and I'll be breif because I myself struggle with insecurities): I'd often rather deal with someone honest about their failings who works hard and has a good attitude (but maybe needs to take the long way 'round) than an arrogant jerk who's a "natural" from the start but forever...
  11. Altered Mental Status

    Feeling discouraged, freakish. Am I cut out for EMS?

    THIS gives me hope. I think I can deal with saying "I crashed and burned spectacularly but then I found my own footing at a later date and now I'm rockin' the box." For the record; my instructor has been a source of support and advocacy but he has to offer the same clinical experience to...
  12. Altered Mental Status

    Feeling discouraged, freakish. Am I cut out for EMS?

    I love you guys. Seriously. I have a volunteer shift tomorrow at 0800 with good people like yourselves. If it weren't for good folks, I think we'd all be toast.
  13. Altered Mental Status

    Feeling discouraged, freakish. Am I cut out for EMS?

    You guys are awesome. AWEsome. And yes, I do feel like I've made some friends here. I feel much better, actually. Like I said; I'm gonna hop on the County volunteer truck a bit more and try to get over my choking stage fright by riding in the back instead of just driving for a Medic. I've...
  14. Altered Mental Status

    Feeling discouraged, freakish. Am I cut out for EMS?

    Thank y'all for your responses. SweetePete and Masenko: Thank you for these kind words. I almost don't even feel like a human being lately and that made me feel human again. Re: wait and see vs. Hurry and see: I'm unfortunately in the position to have to make up my mind soon; the Paramedic...
  15. Altered Mental Status

    Feeling discouraged, freakish. Am I cut out for EMS?

    I'm an AEMT in my second semester of Paramedic. I don't have a whole lot of experience but I've had a few incidents on clinical rotations that are making me feel like maybe I wasted all my money and time trying to shoe-horn myself into a world in which I do not belong and am not really welcome...
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