This article in the New York Daily News describes a legislative effort in New York State to earn a bachelor’s degree within 10 years of becoming a nurse. This article sparked a spirited discussion on the National EMS Managers Association (NEMSMA) list serve. It also was a topic on the EMSEduCast and EMS Garage.

EMSEduCast Episode 126: Improving EMS Education in 2012

EMS Garage Episode 154: BS for Paramedics

What do you think? Does a BS degree make for a better paramedic?

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Wire to Wire, 2011 has been one of the best years of my life. Of course there were some challenges and disappointments, but as I look back it has really been amazing. Some of the things (in no particular order) that made 2011 AMAZING!

• New TV installed just in time for 2011 Rose Bowl featuring the Wisconsin Badgers
• Packers winning the Super Bowl
• 3 trips to Las Vegas (all work!)
• Running two marathons (Green Bay and New York City)
• Family vacation to Arizona and a long camping weekend
• Long weekend vacation with my wife in New York City
• Watching the Packers play a road game, even though they lost (there only loss in 2011)
• Running with my son in his first 5K
• Helping coach T-Ball and Soccer
• Watching my kids dance and music performances, soccer games, t-ball games, and hockey games
• Reading lots of books (my last count was close to 45 books)
• Posting nearly every day to this blog
• Meeting lots of you at EMS and Fire industry conferences
• Swimming in the Atlantic ocean while visiting Miami Beach
• Running the Bellin 10K with nearly 20,000 other people
• Receiving an EMS 10 Award
• Recording dozens of new episodes of the EMSEduCast
• Presenting with Kyle Bates at NAEMSE
• Seeing my friends Michael Fraley and Kevin Collopy present at EMS World Expo
• Completing two 100+ mile bike rides
• Watching the first 4 seasons of Mad Men
• Reconnecting with many of my cousins
• Restarting my regular column for EMS1.com
• Being told by a paramedic that something they learned in a CentreLearn CE lesson helped them save a patient’s life
• Working with NAEMT to finish the Safety Course instructional design
• Working with NAEMT to design the online materials for PHTLS
• Writing exam items for the NREMT basic exam
• Preparing to watch the Wisconsin Badgers play in the 2012 Rose Bowl
• Eager anticipation of the Packers making another run at the Super Bowl
• My wife getting a new job
• My son logging more than 1400 minutes of reading in November
• Running 1375 miles and biking 1500 miles
• Financially supporting many organizations that believe in
• Spending lots of time with my parents, in-laws, and other family

I hope 2011 was a good one for you and 2012 will be even better for all of us. I am genetically pre-disposed to optimism and have high hopes for what we can accomplish together in 2012!

Crossing the finish line of the 2011 ING New York City Marathon

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After considerable dilly dallying I got my flu shot a week and half ago while I was in Kansas City. The pharmacist at Target near my hotel administered the shot. He prefaced the experience by saying, “I don’t like needles.” Then in an agonizingly slow motion he administered the IM injection in my left deltoid.

Pro Tip: Go fast through the skin for less pain.

We discussed the importance of vaccinations on the EMSEduCast recently, Transition from Public Health to EMS Educator – Episode 125.

Also check out this post on Why You Should get a Flu Shot … don’t be a dumb ass.

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After a visit to British Columbia two paramedics from Hong Kong discuss why they are paramedics and their experience. I am trying to contact these paramedics to be guests on the EMSEduCast – the podcast by and for EMS educators. Incidentally, we are always looking for EMS educators from outside North America to be show guests.

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Another year is zipping by. Rather incredible. I have a busy schedule between now and the end of year with trips to Baltimore, New York City, Las Vegas, and Kansas City. Plus two holidays and deer camp! What are your plans for the end of the year?

What kind of EMS organization do you work for? Steve Whitehead provides an EMS organization self-assessment. There are great organization out there and your organization can be great. Are you willing to look for a great organization or put in the effort to make your organization great?

The High Performance EMS blogger Dale Loeberger introduces GIS for EMS. This was also the topic for Episode 118 of the EMSEduCast – the podcast by and for EMS educators.

The Droid Medic explains 5 useful ways to use your Wi-Fi only tablet. This was of particular interest to me because next month I am looking forward to the arrival of my Kindle Fire (Amazon Affiliate Link)

Kyle Bates and John Dillon have put together an educational and entertaining Halloween theme gamed. Can you beat my score of 1200?

I like this explanation and video from the EMT-Medical Student about how air goes in and out. Watch the video to better understand the mechanics of breathing.

What were some of your favorite posts from October?

Did you see any great Halloween themed costumes?

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Blog.CentreLearn.com – My day job is being the Director of Education for CentreLearn Solutions. I add about two posts a week to the CentreLearn blog and manage our social media accounts.

Top Questions about CL Courses for Firefighters, Paramedics, and EMTs

Build your own Online Training Content

FDA Drug Safety Communication on Zofran – this article was contributed by paramedic Steve Cole. It is packed with information.

Medical Author Chat – on the EMSBlogs.com network I host the Medical Author Chat podcasts. Episodes are infrequent. When I can I also add posts related to my enjoyment of reading and writing.

Interview with Dr. Benjamin Luft about We’re Not Leaving about the initial and long-term response at the World Trade Center on 9/11.

My review of We’re Not Leaving.

Recent reads and news will bring you up to speed on my late summer and early fall reading list. I also announce taking the tablet plunge and pre-ordering an Amazon Kindle Fire.

EMS1.com

How are you doing in EMT Class? Use the ideas in this article to assess your progress. Self Assessment: Tracking Your Progress in EMT Class.

A new Everyday EMS Tip at EMS1.com on using Slideshare for EMS.

EMSEduCast

Rob Theriault and I helped Bill Toon by presenting at workshop for Kansas EMS educators. The workshop was repeated on three consecutive days. Rob recorded our 3rd session which was about teaching EMS and technology. You can view our recorded presentation.

PIOSocialMediaTraining.com

Some ideas on how a public safety agency can use an auto responder email campaign.

Loving the Run Blog

I shared my tips for running while on business or leisure travel at the Loving the Run Blog.

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I am a Craigs List junkie. I am always scouring for my next used bike or some other item of interest. Here are three EMS Education uses for Craigs List.

1. Buy/Sell training manikins.

2. Find free or buy gently used furniture for your simulation lab.

3. Find models with specific medical conditions for photo and video shoots or simulation labs.

Scott Snyder shared on EMSEduCast episode 119 how he uses Craigs List to find models with very specific medical conditions for his case based learning program. Brilliant!

How have you used Craigs List as an EMS Educator or EMS Professional? 

This is how I use an RSS Feed to find items on Craigs List.

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I also write posts frequently at Blog.CentreLearn.com, the blog of CentreLearn Solutions, LLC where I am the director of education. A few of my favorites from September on the CentreLearn blog:

New online training courses for EMTs, Paramedics, and Firefighters

Kinds words from the Epilepsy Foundation

CentreLearn Morning Mug and PowerPoint Design Tips

Test Security Features in the CentreLearn learning management system

The EMSEduCast – the podcast by and for EMS educators – posted several new episodes in September including two episodes recorded at EMS World Expo. On the EMSEduCast I am joined by co-hosts Rob Theriault and Bill Toon. Check out these recent episodes:

Understanding the Power of Words when setting expectations and achieving goals

Updating education programs and test items to the AHA 2010 ECC guidelines and the new EMS Scope of Practice model

Episode 113 and Episode 114 from EMS World Expo 2011

It has been a quiet couple of months at the Medical Author Chat podcast. I haven’t done a new episode since July. Time to round up some authors and record some new episodes.

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Sunday I returned from 5 days at the National Association of EMS Educators (NAEMSE) Symposium in Reno, Nevada. The Symposium draws educators from throughout North America and beyond for several days of education, networking, and socializing.

Kyle David Bates Presenting Enhanced Visual Presentations

Enhanced Visual Presentations
On Thursday I presented Enhanced Visual Presentations with Kyle David Bates. The emphasis of the workshop is using digital photography and PowerPoint to create your own case scenarios for the classroom or online delivery. Our group of more than 30 educators gathered with enthusiasm, questions, and digital cameras.

We start the session by asking each table group, three to five educators, to do a simple photography exercise – portrait, emotion, and object. This gives everyone a chance to meet their group and begin taking photos. It also gives us a chance to see the cameras our students are using and to begin helping them develop their photography skills.

A couple of things that kept coming up:

• Every camera with a flash allows you to turn off the flash. Learn how to turn the flash off.
• Hold your camera steady by holding it close to your body with two hands.
• Take photos from different angles and points of view to draw the viewer into the photo.

Our students were engaged in the session and worked well together to create photos, cases, and PowerPoint slides using the techniques we discussed. A few key PowerPoint skills and tips:

• Align objects with the tools available in PowerPoint.
• Put a border around images so they don’t “fall off the slide.”
• Use text only to emphasize important terms and concepts.

Thursday night concluded with the NREMT social. Although this was probably the most sedate event ever held inside the “EDGE” night club I enjoyed reconnecting with friends.

Sessions and Exhibit Hall

The conference officially opened on Friday morning. I missed the opening keynote presentation – Randolph Mantooth  – to meet with my boss and a co-worker. Since we live and work from three different states this was the first opportunity for us to meet face-to-face in several months.

CentreLearn Booth at NAEMSE Symposium

After the morning break-0ut session the Exhibit Hall opened. I helped Scott at the CentreLearn booth and enjoyed talking to educators about how they are using CentreLearn for initial paramedic education and continuing education.

After lunch I attended a session by Twink Dalton about continuing education. Twink is a renowned EMS educator (for good reason) and it was my first time seeing her present. She is a polished and practiced presenter. After she was done I had a great conversation with several other attendees about the role and importance of a digital presentation. Much of Twink’s presentation could have been delivered without any PowerPoint slides. The slides she used, like many presenters were text heavy, and didn’t add much to the overall excellence of the presentation. One of the questions I posed to our small discussion group is if an audience expects a PowerPoint and would be disappointed if a speaker simply spoke without on-screen visual aids.

On Friday night the symposium faculty were treated to dinner at the National Automobile museum by Pepid. The food, displays, and company were excellent. Thanks Pepid!

Crash at the Reno Airshow

The symposium was at the Peppermill Resort in Reno. The hotel was crowded with pilots, pit crew, and spectators for the Reno Airshow races. Late in the afternoon Friday a plane crashed into the box seats. I found out about the crash when I saw it mentioned on Twitter. It was a surreal feeling to be so close to a mass casualty incident, but also isolated from helping. By the time I found out about it the patients had already been cleared from the airfield and the investigation had begun. When we drove to faculty event we passed one of the Reno hospitals. The parking lot was filled with ambulances, police cruisers, and media vans. More than anything I would have liked to simply shake hands with the paramedics and thank them for being there to help and doing their best to care for the victims. Thank you Reno area paramedics.

Going the Distance!

Since I presented a pre-conference the NAEMSE Symposium, scheduled through Sunday, becomes a marathon event to attend. Saturday morning I took a break from the symposium for a long marathon training run. Just before sunrise I left the Peppermill hotel and ran to downtown Reno (about 2 miles). After a short lap through the casino district of downtown Reno (another 2 miles) I ran east on the Truckee River trail. A paved trail runs about 7.5 miles east from town before terminating at the Union Pacific railroad and interstate highway. The run was scenic and invigorating. Turning back to run the 2nd half up river (and up hill) made the run a bit challenging. I arrived back at the hotel three hours after I started and ready for more sessions and time in the exhibit hall.

I had the opportunity to film a couple of short videos with EMS1.com. I will embed them when they post in the future. In the first video I shared advice for a new EMS educator. In the second I shared advice for a newly graduated paramedic.

NAEMSE Symposium General Session

After lunch Jeff Lindsay gave an interesting presentation about the “Net Generation” – the twenty somethings beginning to enter EMS education and the EMS workforce. The presentation had a strong emphasis on social media and covered many of the themes we discussed on episode 109 (their expectation is clear expectations) of the EMSEduCast.

Saturday night was the all symposium social. The event had a western theme and featured a chuck wagon dinner, mechanical bull and line dancing. Reno area EMS educator, @UnwiredMedic, was able to join us for the social. It was great to meet him face to face, introduce him to other EMS educators, and talk about social media. Check out his blog – the Unwired Medic.

More of Everything

The symposium continued on Sunday with more sessions, exhibit hall time, and networking with friends. I was only able to attend a few minutes of Dave Page’s session on medical errors and paramedic education. What I did attend was very interesting and I plan to invite him to discuss the topic with us on the EMSEduCast.

NAEMSE 2012

The 2012 NAEMSE Symposium is already scheduled for August 2012 in Orlando, Florida at the Walt Disney World Resort. The call for presentations is already open.

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Paramedic and educator Rom Duckworth is writing a series of articles for EMSWorld.com on the theme of “Why won’t they learn.”

Part 1: How course content and student attitudes impact performance outcomes

Part 2: Getting to know the large group of people facing you

Part 3: to be published soon …

Rom also discussed this topic on episode 101 of the EMSEduCast – the podcast by and for EMS Educators.

Check it out and share your thoughts on why students resist education with Rom in the comments.

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