Innovation in healthcare is growing exponentially. One of the innovations that has developed in health services is the role of paramedics. The role of the paramedic is proven to improve the patient experience in various aspects. Along with this, including innovations in the primary, acute, and emergency sectors, and the development of practitioner integration, the paramedical nurse was born. The purpose of writing this article is to clarify the differences between nurses, paramedics and paramedical nurses.
DEFINITIONS OF NURSE, PARAMEDIC, AND PARAMEDIC NURSE
According to the UU RI No. 38 (2014) about Nursing, a nurse is someone who has graduated from higher education in nursing, both at home and abroad, which is recognized by the government in accordance with the provisions of the Laws and Regulations. Paramedics are a practice and a health profession that specialize in a variety of settings including emergency and primary care. Paramedics work in a variety of clinical settings such as emergency medical services, ambulance services, hospitals and clinics as well as non-clinical roles (Williams, Beovich, & Olaussen, 2021). The thing that must be underlined from paramedics is that paramedics provide prehospital services in emergencies. Members of the paramedical team may include nurses, known as nurse paramedics. Paramedical nurses are healthcare professionals who provide emergency medical services to patients. Typically, paramedical nurses work in ambulances or other vehicles, respond to emergency calls, and provide care until the patient can be transferred to a hospital for further treatment.
DIFFERENCES IN THE ROLE OF NURSE, PARAMEDIST, AND PARAMEDICAL NURSE
The roles of nurses in general are to provide nursing care, be counsellors for clients, managers of nursing services, researchers, and executors based on delegation of authority or based on certain limited circumstances (UU RI No. 38, 2014). Meanwhile, the paramedic's role in general focuses on the care of patients who are acutely ill and/or injured at the time of arrival, and patients with acute exacerbations of chronic illness or disease. In this case, paramedics are responsible for assessing, treating, diagnosing, providing and administering medication, managing, and referring patients in urgent, emergency, or critical situations (Workforce & Training Hub, 2018). The role of the paramedic nurse, as the name implies, is a cross between the role of the nurse and the role of the paramedic.
CONCLUSION
Nurse, paramedic, and paramedic nurse are three different things. However, all three have the same goal, which is to save the patient. A nurse is someone who has graduated from higher education in nursing, both at home and abroad, which is recognized by the government in accordance with the provisions of the Laws and Regulations. Paramedics, is a practice and a health profession that specializes in a variety of settings including emergency and primary care. Then, finally, the paramedic nurse is a combination of nurses and paramedics, namely health professionals who provide emergency medical services to patients.
REFERENCES
UU RI No. 38 Tahun 2014 Tentang Keperawatan. Retrieved from
https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&url=https://rsud.purbalinggakab.go.id/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/uu-38-tentang-keperawatan.pdf&ved=2ahUKEwj4uYjYuoD_AhUb1TgGHQq0CO4QFnoECB4QAQ&usg=AOvVaw1W9T9oDKflhF8Kh1WfYMLE
Williams, B., Beovich, B., & Olaussen, A. (2021). The Definition of Paramedicine: An International Delphi Study.
Journal of Multidisciplinary Healthcare. Volume 14. 3561-3570. 10.2147/JMDH.S347811.
Workforce & Training Hub. (2018). Role Description & Competencies: Paramedic. Retrieved from
https://pcwth.co.uk/paramedic-role/#:~:text=Paramedics%20are%20experienced%20autonomous%20allied,emergency%20and%20unscheduled%20healthcare%20needs.