lightsandsirens5
Forum Deputy Chief
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This question was posed to me recently and I don't relly know what I think. So, what do all of you think about the idea of paramedics providing well-care treatment at a pre-school or kindergarten?
Paramedics at pre-school
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medic417
The Truth Provider
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Why not? The future, if EMS is to progress, is to do more that just the exciting 911 calls.
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Most probably lack the appropriate early childhood development (physical and psychological) education necessary to do that work. I would imagine that most RN's wouldn't either. There's a reason why school nurses have a separate certification. Much of my earlier education involved evaluating children from about 3 years old on up... You have to know what is developmentally appropriate for each age range. Two year olds are VERY differently behaved than 3 year olds... and 4 year olds...
Could I do it? Probably. Would I be comfortable with it? Not at first.
Added: Provide the School Medic with the appropriate Early Childhood Education, I don't see why they couldn't provide care to preschoolers.
Could I do it? Probably. Would I be comfortable with it? Not at first.
Added: Provide the School Medic with the appropriate Early Childhood Education, I don't see why they couldn't provide care to preschoolers.
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The specialty of pediatrics is one of the weakest areas in the Paramedic curriculum. Couple that with the lack of Early Childhood Education, you would have a very limited provider. Preschool age may present even a greater challenge. The issues that may need to be addressed as a medical provider would be much more than just immediate first aid or emergent situations. There would be record keeping, infection control, education including issues about sexual contact even at a early age and chronic care of various diseases including diabetes, HIV or seizures as well as the social problems associated with a medical needs child. These are all part of "well-care" duties in a school system. Even the RNs in many states must now have a BSN with specialized education to obtain their School Nurse Certification or to work in any school system in their state. Teachers and other education assistants are there to provide much of the care and many do already handle most of the care when nurses are not available. However, they do have the training to handle these ages and the rest falls into place easily even if they have little to no medical training. Feeling comfortable with kids and having enough knowledge about them are the most essential parts.
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ExpatMedic0
MS, NRP
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School nurses only require a 2 year degree in many states however Public health nurses can become certified by the National Association of School Nurses (NASN), which is affiliated with the National Board for Certification of School Nurses (NBSCN). In order to become certified, school nurses need to pass the NBSCN national school nurse certification examination.
I think the possibility for a Paramedic with at least an associates to do this would be a good idea due to the Paramedics ability and strengths in working independent and the training is set up to work in the absence of a doctor and outside of a hospital environment.
I think the obvious negative of a Paramedic doing this job would be there is no National Board for Certification of School Paramedics. Also the Paramedics lack of training with managing long term diseases and everyday medical conditions that are not emergencies.
Nurses have a big advantage not only having there own licence in all states, but being able to specialize in fields
I think the possibility for a Paramedic with at least an associates to do this would be a good idea due to the Paramedics ability and strengths in working independent and the training is set up to work in the absence of a doctor and outside of a hospital environment.
I think the obvious negative of a Paramedic doing this job would be there is no National Board for Certification of School Paramedics. Also the Paramedics lack of training with managing long term diseases and everyday medical conditions that are not emergencies.
Nurses have a big advantage not only having there own licence in all states, but being able to specialize in fields
Tally up the number of states again and you might find that many want the BSN. The school systems can also require a minimum of a BSN even if the cert doesn't since the RN profession is now very competitive.
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where I used to work, they had 1 RN for each school DISTRICT and then either LPN's or EMT (basic, intermediate or medic) at each school.
with proper training, it can be a great job; good pay, good benefits; no nights or weekends or summers, unless there was games or summer school.
with proper training, it can be a great job; good pay, good benefits; no nights or weekends or summers, unless there was games or summer school.
ExpatMedic0
MS, NRP
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While I cant find the data for school nurses in every single state, I did find that
In 2004, 674 nursing programs offered degrees at the bachelor's level.
About 846 RN programs in 2004 granted associate degrees.
69 programs offered diplomas in 2004. Generally, licensed graduates of any of the three types of educational programs qualify for entry-level positions as staff nurses.
This data suggest more nurses graduate with less than a BSN. Also most states in my area have a nursing shortage and hire the 2 year degree nurses at around the same pay per hour. I know several of them.
In 2004, 674 nursing programs offered degrees at the bachelor's level.
About 846 RN programs in 2004 granted associate degrees.
69 programs offered diplomas in 2004. Generally, licensed graduates of any of the three types of educational programs qualify for entry-level positions as staff nurses.
This data suggest more nurses graduate with less than a BSN. Also most states in my area have a nursing shortage and hire the 2 year degree nurses at around the same pay per hour. I know several of them.
mycrofft
Still crazy but elsewhere
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Vent has the idea.
How about raising school nurse periodic certification to at least EMT-B level of EMS knowledge? I've seen some real boners by school nurses.
How about raising school nurse periodic certification to at least EMT-B level of EMS knowledge? I've seen some real boners by school nurses.
I did not say that.
If you look at the specialized curriculum of the school nurse you will notice that much of what the EMT-B covers is in there as well as the chronic or long term care issues.
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Wow that is impressive for the number of BSN programs to not be far behind the total number of the two. Of course if you notice in any state there are generally more community colleges than universities.
Now, how many of the graduates from the 2 year programs are attending the universities for their BSN?
In some major cities the BSN programs out number the 2 year because the competition is high amongst the hospitals. Miami (Dade county) has one community college and 4 colleges that offer the BSN. If you look around Portland you might also find as many if not more BSN programs as the 2 year.