Thinking under pressure

medichopeful

medichopeful

Flight RN/Paramedic
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Hi all,

I am just wondering if there is any way that you know of that will help me improve upon how I work/act under pressure. For the most part, I think well in stressful situations, but I feel like I should try to be even better at it if I am going to have a career in EMS.

Any suggestions that I can do at home?

Thanks in advance!

Eric
 
medichopeful said:
Hi all,

I am just wondering if there is any way that you know of that will help me improve upon how I work/act under pressure. For the most part, I think well in stressful situations, but I feel like I should try to be even better at it if I am going to have a career in EMS.

Any suggestions that I can do at home?

Thanks in advance!

Eric
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I'm not sure if there is really anything that you can do at home, unless you put yourself in high risk situations :rolleyes:

However once you start working in the field it comes quickly
 
Just being in the situations constantly will be the only thing.


When I did my first clinical in an ER, we had a respiratory arrest pt. I was simply amazed at how calm everyone was, not to mention the amount of joking that went on. I did not understand it at the time, but I do now.
 
silver said:
I'm not sure if there is really anything that you can do at home, unless you put yourself in high risk situations
Click to expand...

Yeah, I was concerned that that would be the only way :unsure:

Eric
 
I'm kind of hoping that when I go through it, the training I receive will become second nature and wont have to think as much as it will be like an instinct.

Experienced personnel, Do you find it becomes second nature?
 
Linuss said:
Just being in the situations constantly will be the only thing.


When I did my first clinical in an ER, we had a respiratory arrest pt. I was simply amazed at how calm everyone was, not to mention the amount of joking that went on. I did not understand it at the time, but I do now.
Click to expand...

Yeah when I went this guy was having a heart attack and the female doctor was joking about his ding dong size, they had to put a catheter in. Most ding dongs get small though when you are scared or cold. You have to joke it makes the day go by faster and make serious situations more manageable.
 
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Personal Opinion... You are either cut out to take teh preassure and work well under fire, or not. There is no learning it, it is more of a personality thing. I, personally, and more quiet and reserved and was told that Emergency Services might not be me. The truth is that I only turn Type A when on calls, calm but deliberate in my actions. EMS is one of those thing sthat no amount of "training" can 100% prepare you for. That's why I don;t agree with those people who run through First responder, EMT, EMT-I, Paramedic, etc... without taking the time between certifications to use their skills and see if this is gonna work for them; if they are cut out for the job. And no matter who you are, your first call will scare the Sh*t out of you, but do you continue to function? There is no 6 month period to ease in to the role.
 
Rehearsal experience knowledge and a good mentor.

Yeah, which planet am I on!

Remember that, if you know what you are doing, going FAST often does not save signficant time versus just doing the right thing properly, and right now.

You can help cut your delays and therbligs (look it up) down by knowing where your gear is, knowing it will work, and bringing the proper gear to the patient. Next, have a good partner or coworker. Also, remember that others are often going to have suggestions or make strident demands; if they are competent, make a decision and then either go with it, relinquish the control, or press on.
 
I take a slightly different approach. You want to know how to better handle stress... that really isn't your issue. Education, training, practicing your hands skills, muscle memory, will lessen the stress of the event. Stress happens more when you are faced with something you are clueless about. When you have the skills, you have less stress because you know what to do.

That said; there will always be those paralyzing events. Where the guy looks like your uncle Larry or the kid is the same age as yours. Understanding that those emotional reactions are normal, can help you get past the initial reaction and allow you to progress to action.

We practice our skills frequently so that we have them automatically when we need them. There are those who are unable to act under pressure. Generally you find them working as medical transcriptionists (the least stressful job there is according to numerous surveys) or other more placid workplaces.
 
BossyCow said:
I take a slightly different approach. You want to know how to better handle stress... that really isn't your issue. Education, training, practicing your hands skills, muscle memory, will lessen the stress of the event. Stress happens more when you are faced with something you are clueless about. When you have the skills, you have less stress because you know what to do.

That said; there will always be those paralyzing events. Where the guy looks like your uncle Larry or the kid is the same age as yours. Understanding that those emotional reactions are normal, can help you get past the initial reaction and allow you to progress to action.

We practice our skills frequently so that we have them automatically when we need them. There are those who are unable to act under pressure. Generally you find them working as medical transcriptionists (the least stressful job there is according to numerous surveys) or other more placid workplaces.
Click to expand...

What she said plus two more. 1. Planning and 2. Being able to separate emotionally.

By "Planning", I mean having a generalized plan for your situation getting more precise for every conceivable situation, then having a contingency plan, and a contingency plan for your contingency plan.

By "Being able to separate emotionally", I mean by being able to not get caught up in those "emotional reactions or paralyzing events" Bossy mentioned. It can either come naturally or be developed by aquiring the proper mindset. Mine was developed over time.
 
medichopeful said:
Hi all,

I am just wondering if there is any way that you know of that will help me improve upon how I work/act under pressure. For the most part, I think well in stressful situations, but I feel like I should try to be even better at it if I am going to have a career in EMS.

Any suggestions that I can do at home?

Thanks in advance!

Eric
Click to expand...

I'm starting school in May and have asked myself this same question. This is why I have my books and have already made over 300 hundred flash cards for myself. I also jog 3-5 miles 6 days a week to work on my stamina. And practice yoga. So I guess what I've been trying to get going on is the whole mind/body thing.
 
One word. EDUCATION!! The better educated you are,and the more you stay on top of your skills,and knowledge the better they will serve you when the pressure is on. You will find that the longer you do this job the less the stress factor will come into play. The best answer I can give you is to be at the top of your game in terms of education and the rest will be easier.
 
Okay, thanks for the answers so far everybody. I now know that education is the key, and that it will get easier over time.

Any other thoughts are still welcome. Keep them coming!

Eric
 
Mountain Res-Q said:
Personal Opinion... You are either cut out to take teh preassure and work well under fire, or not. There is no learning it, it is more of a personality thing. I, personally, and more quiet and reserved and was told that Emergency Services might not be me. The truth is that I only turn Type A when on calls, calm but deliberate in my actions. EMS is one of those thing sthat no amount of "training" can 100% prepare you for. That's why I don;t agree with those people who run through First responder, EMT, EMT-I, Paramedic, etc... without taking the time between certifications to use their skills and see if this is gonna work for them; if they are cut out for the job. And no matter who you are, your first call will scare the Sh*t out of you, but do you continue to function? There is no 6 month period to ease in to the role.
Click to expand...

I dont think that is true for everyone.
I work very well under pressure, however I have a strong fear of failing. All my actions were calm and under control, but I still felt very uncomfortable for a couple of weeks, because I was nervous. I had the training, education, and pratice. After that, I was fine. Just needed to adapt to that environment, and I still work well under pressure.
 
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Hopefully, your education will also include plenty of scenario evaluations and clinical time in the real world setting.

Most Paramedics run off automaticity but that is not always the best way. One can get tunnel vision and miss important things. I always try or attempt to remember, although I may have seen 2,215 fxr hips, this is the patients first one. It's their emergency.

Rehearse and re-rehearse until things become fluent. I also talk somewhat outloud to myself, going systamatic until I can have it down in as a set pattern. I do not tend to miss anything that way.

Don't be too hard on your self. Realize many things will become automatic when you gain more experience.

R/r 911
 
Rid, once again thanks for the info. It has been said before, but you are always a great source of information. Thanks to everybody else as well.

I am going to make sure that when I do get involved in EMS in the near future (during college) that I know everything by heart. That way, I will be able to do everything to the best of my ability.

I am pretty good under pressure, but there is always room for improvement.

Eric
 
Do not be in a hurry no matter what.
Proficency builds speed, speed does not build proficency.

At first when you are doing something, that becomes the only thing going on in the world at that moment. You can multitask after you are proficent and comfortable. Don't try to start off doing everything at once as you will do nothing well.

Have some confidence. It goes a long way especally with sharp objects.

"confidence is knowing how to win, arrogance is believing you can't lose"
---Me
 
silver said:
I dont think that is true for everyone.
I work very well under pressure, however I have a strong fear of failing. All my actions were calm and under control, but I still felt very uncomfortable for a couple of weeks, because I was nervous. I had the training, education, and pratice. After that, I was fine. Just needed to adapt to that environment, and I still work well under pressure.
Click to expand...

We are twins!!! I'm confused on what you are disagreeing with though. Isn't that pretty much what I said? Uncomfortable in a new environment is one thing, but you either move past it and do your job or you are a liability. The only way to tell if you will be capable of reacting well under pressure is to be in that situation. And this isn't the time to ease into the inherent ability to deal with preasure over a period of months... not in EMS.
 
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