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I had the idea of being a paramedic from a relatively early age. When I actually was enrolled in the Paramedic Program at the local Junior College, I was ecstatic! I was actually here. All the psychics that walked by me probably heard my mind saying, “I am doing this. WOW! I am gonna save the world!”
At this time in history, Alabama had a three level Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) system. The EMT – I or EMT Basic was the first step. Looking back, EMT Basic was a very in-depth first aid course. Nothing fancy so I guess that is why they call it Basic, huh. I was in a class with about 15 others from various backgrounds. Some were members of Volunteer Fire Departments; some were from industrial safety teams; some were part of Volunteer Rescue Squads, but none of them were planning for this to be a “profession”. I was in this class to do one thing; become a paramedic. After all, I’m gonna save the world. I do look back and recall the faces of those in that classroom and other than the instructor who did make his living as a paramedic at that time and for many years after that, only a couple of us went on to vocational EMS. Remember, during this era, most EMS in Alabama (all over rural America for that matter) was operated by volunteer groups. I realized that if I were going to go “pro”, my opportunities would be somewhat limited. Relocating would be a real possibility. So for now, I would be satisfied (barely) to work with a local volunteer rescue squad and gain experience while I continued the educational process.
I completed the Basic class and immediately enrolled in the second phase of EMT training. EMT – II or Intermediate taught students to place advanced airways, interpret EKG’s, defibrillate, cardiovert and start IV’s. Of course this is all on top of what you’ve learned in Basic. While Basic class was pretty straight forward, Intermediate was more scenario driven. When a new skill was introduced, we would train using manikins and equipment to work through various patient scenarios. In fact we would spend hours practicing with each other. Our class was very committed to being the best we could be. While I was never in the military, I relate this experience to be similar to a group of soldiers working together as a team to accomplish a task. We wanted to “master” the skills before us. After all, I’m gonna save the world.
After completion of Intermediate, I was enrolled in the third level of EMT; paramedic, oh yeah! All of the above continued and the world of pharmacology was introduced. We were now administering medications in those scenarios / training sessions. Cool, huh?! Of course, along with classroom time, we were also doing clinical rotations in various areas of the hospital. Emergency Department, Respiratory Therapy, Pediatrics, Labor & Delivery, Lab, Operating Room, Pathology / Morgue all saw Paramedic students on a regular basis. We were held on a pretty short leash most of the time. You see, paramedic students can be rambunctious; combine that with the fact that many of these people (who were to be our teachers) were not really sure why we were even there.
There have always been some “turf” issues between nurses and paramedics. Now that I am both, I am not really sure I understand this turf war. I mean there are some individuals who make it their place to dislike the other group, but why? Theoretically we are trying to achieve the same goal; on the same team; one pre-hospital, one in hospital. What’s the deal?! Anyway, where was I? Oh yeah, turf wars have created problems for paramedic students since there have been paramedic students. A student shows up and is assigned to a nurse who doesn't like paramedics (forget that she doesn't even know what a paramedic does) and there is not always a lot of “education” going on. The paramedic student usually has to make it his or her mission to gain knowledge during a clinical rotation. Be assertive. Want it!
Here is where we have a problem. You see, when my group was in the program, we wanted nothing more than to be good. Great even. When my paramedic class took the Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) we were determined that the nurses and even doctors in the class were not going to outdo us. We studied and practiced and drilled to make sure we knew everything there was to know about the material. We formed study groups to meet outside of class time to hone our skills and advance our knowledge. (ACLS was hard back then.) When the course was over, everyone in our class had “aced” the whole thing. The medical director for the course was astonished. He was very proud as well. He was also the medical director for our paramedic program. Today – many students would be happy if you just handed them their license. They are not motivated to make the rotation a learning experience. They are content to make the minimum grade to pass the course. While there are some excellent students in the field, it is sad to say that many are not attempting to achieve excellence.
Before you lose heart in the EMS field alone, I believe that you could transfer those same attributes to most any fields of study. Nursing, plumbers, pilots, engineers and yes even doctors. Scary isn’t it? Why are people dumbing down such valuable professions? I believe it relates back to the decline of the nuclear family unit. When you are not expected to follow rules at home, you assume you don’t have to follow rules anywhere. When you are not expected to do your best at home, you assume you don’t have to do your best anywhere. Mom and Dad are both working two jobs to pay for the house and the cars and the club membership and little Timmy is left to grow up with his own set of values. Values he obtains from his friends that are in the same situation and what he gleans from the World Wide Web. Or it could be that little Timmy is the child in a single parent home where Dad decided that having a family at 17 was cramping his style, so now Mom is attempting to do the best she can and has little time to do the extras of parenting that can have such a positive impact on children. Extras like helping with homework and reading to the child or going on trips to the museum or just holding the child when the storms of life occur.
It is statistically proven (if you will accept the data) that when the family started declining in the 60’s, so did the expectations of people and employers and educational institutions. It has caught up with us folks. We are living in a world where many people want everything handed to them. Earning it is not an option. Why should they work for something? The world owes them their desires. Yes, that is sarcasm! One family psychologist wrote of the “Entitlement Generation”. Young people today (2010) have been told all their life they are wonderful, great, talented… even if they are not.
What is the answer? A long hard road of rebuilding the importance of family values would be a great start. Turning our dependence on the Creator God and following his rules is where it all has to begin. That means parents need to be parents! Parents that are willing to make sacrifices for the sake of their children. Parents that are willing to demand certain expectations from their children.
Me? I had a drug problem when I was a kid. My mom and dad drug me to church. They drug me to school when I didn't want to go. They drug me to the teacher to admit that I had stolen Lego’s from the class room; and to take the consequences that went along with it. Make a difference in the lives of those around you. Demand excellence from yourself. It’s catching.
Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men.
Colossians 3:23 (NIV)
