Paramedic Alternative to Trauma Nurse Shortage
Trauma centers are unable to fill nursing shortages, while highly-trained paramedics continue to leave the EMS field in large numbers. Paramedics face poor pay and limited opportunity. When hired by trauma centers, paramedics are limited to non-technical tasks. Few hospital administrators are aware of the training capabilities of paramedics and the role they could play in providing trauma center care.
Jim Becka has been a Houston area paramedic for 27 years and a journalist since 1973. His stories have appeared on the Mutual Radio Network, KTRH (Houston) and KLIF (Dallas). He is also the former public relations chairman of the American Trauma Society - Texas Division. This commentary was produced in 2004 and appeared in a video devoted to the shortage of trauma care in the Houston area.
|
|
