Ridryder911
EMS Guru
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Wow, you guys are brutal around here, aren't you?
For those who had my back...thanks.
For the others...no, it doesn't take two semesters to learn how to take the catheter and stick it in the vein. As a matter of fact, we probably covered that in about two classes including practice sticks on each other.
But, it's not just about the invasive procedure. It's knowing how to choose the correct size catheter for the job. It's knowing when and when not to start a line. It's knowing how much or how little fluid to infuse...and which fluid type you should be using. It's knowing how to ensure that you've not caused further damage by infiltrating the vein or by shearing the catheter.
But, to clarify...the two semesters is the length of time required to become an intermediate and all that implies....not the length of time it took to learn this one skill.
Side note...even phlebotomists spend a single semester in training here in Texas.
Amazing, not one Intermediate discussed osmotic gradient changes or hypertonic fluids and cellular shifts with fluids? Yes, it takes more than the 60 hours to really know about the job.
R/r 911