Boatswain2PA Posted November 23, 2012 Share Posted November 23, 2012 New grad who just signed a contract to be single-coverage in a rural ED. My question to you old salts is how do I get up to speed as fast as possible? I have signifcant experience in critical decision-making (20 years in SAR), have focused on becoming an EM PA for over 10 years, and I read everything I can. I'm a member of SEMPA, and considering going to their annual conference in Las Vegas in March. I'm also considering going to the Chamberlain EM specialty training in February (although probably won't do both). Which would you recommend to a new grad in my situation? Any other suggestions on to get up to speed asap? Thanks, in advance, for any advice? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderator EMEDPA Posted November 23, 2012 Moderator Share Posted November 23, 2012 take acls, atls, pals, also, fccs, and the difficult airway course asap. go to the sempa conference. I will buy you a beer and we can chat. sempa also puts on a course called crash with acep. great course and cheaper than both the chamberlain course and bukata's em bootcamp. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hemegroup Posted November 23, 2012 Share Posted November 23, 2012 I'm doing the same, Boatswain, partially based on familiarity and partially by default. Have to say that Surgery is my first love but my bad back won't allow for it. ER is right up there, looking forward to it. Haven't signed a contract yet, but we're moving ahead. I'm two years out of school myself. Not sure where you're going but I'm headed towards 50 below. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CAdamsPAC Posted November 23, 2012 Share Posted November 23, 2012 Beta blockers my friend and good sphincer tone. Oh yes always go pee when the ambulance call comes in! ;-) welcome to the party pal, you'lll do well! @ Hemegroup don't be suprised if you get to hear my voice in person passing though on my way to the North Slope. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderator ventana Posted November 23, 2012 Moderator Share Posted November 23, 2012 I'm doing the same, Boatswain, partially based on familiarity and partially by default. Have to say that Surgery is my first love but my bad back won't allow for it. ER is right up there, looking forward to it. Haven't signed a contract yet, but we're moving ahead. I'm two years out of school myself. Not sure where you're going but I'm headed towards 50 below. humility and knowing what you don't know Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
d2305 Posted November 23, 2012 Share Posted November 23, 2012 I had a boat load (pun intended) of experience when I became a PA, and I would not have tried solo ER coverage. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderator EMEDPA Posted November 23, 2012 Moderator Share Posted November 23, 2012 I had a boat load (pun intended) of experience when I became a PA, and I would not have tried solo ER coverage. I know a few folks who have done it successfully but they were all medics in busy systems for > 10 yrs before pa school. if you can handle the resuscitations and codes(the stuff that scares most folks) already then you have time to really learn the nuances of evaluating patients who are not critically ill but are in that intermediate range between fast track and oh crap. lots of belly pain, h/a, vag. bleed, weakness, etc type complaints in there. some are serious, many are not. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Medic207 Posted November 23, 2012 Share Posted November 23, 2012 What kind of place would put a new grad in this situation? I know some places have no coverage and that's just the facts if life. I am hoping you have adequate physician backup. I know of a situation this happened and the PA had casual phone backup. It ended up being a bad deal for all involved. Just be careful! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Boatswain2PA Posted November 23, 2012 Author Share Posted November 23, 2012 What kind of place would put a new grad in this situation? I know some places have no coverage and that's just the facts if life. I am hoping you have adequate physician backup. I know of a situation this happened and the PA had casual phone backup. It ended up being a bad deal for all involved. Just be careful! I'm hoping I have adequate physician backup as well. I'll have a physician a phone all away who can (hopefully!!!) be onsite in just a few minutes (ie: at home in local town). I'm going to be as careful as I can. Fortunately it is a pretty slow ER (knock on wood), so I will (usually) have time to look up things I need to as I go, and time to review (and learn) after. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
d2305 Posted November 24, 2012 Share Posted November 24, 2012 I guess the question is how isolated will you be, and what specialist backup do you have in house? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Boatswain2PA Posted November 24, 2012 Author Share Posted November 24, 2012 No in house specialist backup at all. There is a gen surg in town who rotates through the ER as well, but all other local docs are fam practice. We're about an hour from larger city with two level I trauma centers. I understand the precarious nature of my situation. The physician group I have contracted with is a great group of docs, and I have very clearly told them that I will be calling them a lot. The advice I am asking you for is what can I do/read to help myself get up to speed as quick as possible. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderator EMEDPA Posted November 24, 2012 Moderator Share Posted November 24, 2012 minor emergencies: spliters to fractures is good as is emergency medicine secrets Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ToBeWhole Posted November 26, 2012 Share Posted November 26, 2012 humility and knowing what you don't know Love this. Because it is true. Well said, Ventana. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
katief262 Posted November 27, 2012 Share Posted November 27, 2012 I have Buttaravoli's "Minor Emergencies" book, and the Red Book... I can't remember what it's called. Five Minute Consult is also a good book to have, but I haven't bought it yet. I use my ipad app "Tarascon pharmacopia/Johns Hopkins Abx". and that has been a lifesaver too. I'm a new grad in a rural ED as well, but I always have a physician on site luckily. I ask them a million questions a shift, but I'm making it. I was a paramedic before PA school, so the codes and the MI's and traumas don't scare me too much, its the in the middle stuff that freaks me out sometimes. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MedicinePower Posted November 28, 2012 Share Posted November 28, 2012 I have Buttaravoli's Are you serious about his name? I was a paramedic before PA school, so the codes and the MI's and traumas don't scare me too much, its the in the middle stuff that freaks me out sometimes. I feel the same way. I can do a code with relative ease. It's the "less emergent" stuff that scares me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Simms Posted November 29, 2012 Share Posted November 29, 2012 Been there and done that. It was a great education and foundation. Get familiar with facilities and providers you may be referring to. They tend to be more pleasant and helpful when they know who you are. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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