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Show By Jack Wallis lsms there is a shortage of trained Jinnel in two of our important al treatment professions. J ntah County Hospital is only about ks away from moving into the modern $3 million-plus structure. j 1 ltleir staff is experiencing a serious of Registered Nurses (RN's) I emergency Medical Technicians x ' ITs). if sms that the demands made on e 10 groups of specially trained have discouraged many from 8 the RN or EMT fields. Many 'tave been serving have become 1 B termed "burned-out". 1! .,alking with some of the active e were told that they are , lJraN because there is too much i on too few members. EMT's. ! ';Wr foeir services to the com-" ' 'iv u local grouP nas been' the ambulance runs in the 1 'ah County ambulances, with r rage of one and one-half runs per A l?reorfourto Salt Lake City . Z Jhe Salt Lake City run fteH They are on caU 24 (7tTly' These pressures are too Jel.!5511"1 by three or four members. t-:EjI!'!ere organized in Uintah , , oout five years ago and have ,-mbership as high as 18 cer-embers. cer-embers. Now this active mem'bS 8ne down t0 as low as -"ifferal regulations have lSSr, EMT Sh0rtage Say : "ltnK Ambulances are now C Ve tW0 certified persons "tsti.i.Can used to carry ' "Jul , Pital- Als. regulations raa7 mucn harder to certify certified as an EMT. Wie? are neglected and our v-l ebecoming critical of our :.mb;r;.t:MTservice',said r :X c50'"1'011 is 10 fnd more . Wnfread EMT service V'iUhL We indivWuals so we "P." local EMT's stated. T seven8 'milar Problem. Their en day a week work has been further complicated with malpractice threats, not enough help and low pay. RN's we have talked to say their profession is becoming too demanding for the time and effort it takes to become qualified and stay qualified. The RN profession doesn't offer the . satisfaction it used to. Other fields of employment are less demanding and have greater financial rewards. It seems like the reasons for dissatisfaction and waning interests are all justified. Now what can be done to correct the situation? Both EMT's and RN's perform needed and essential services to our community. Anyone of us may need their skilled help today or tomorrow, and when the need arises we want to know they will be there. There is no quick solutions to the problem. But for beginners we think more appreciation needs to go to those who serve in the vital medical services of our community. Nothing is more reassuring in times of medical crisis, than to have a cheerful EMT or RN on hand to give medical aid. When the pressures of work dampens the spirit of helping and bringing comfort to those in distress, then something must be changed to bring the picture back into focus. Our community needs good RN's and EMT's and it needs contented ones. Their problems affect all of us. What can we do? For starters how about saying "Thank you." |