Abstract
BackgroundWorking in the emergency medical service (EMS) can be extremely varying and sometimes physically and psychologically demanding. Being new in this context can be a great challenge. This study aim to describe what ambulance nurses consider to be important support during the first year in the EMS.MethodsThree hundred and eighty-nine eligible participants that had graduated from the prehospital emergency care program were identified via university registrations office in Sweden. The eligible participants received a study specific questionnaire via mail consisting of 70 statements about support during the first year. The perceived importance of each statement were graded on a 7-point Likert scale. The gradings were analysed using descriptive statistics and frequencies, mean and SD were calculated.ResultsTwo hundred and thirty questionnaires were returned fully completed, giving a response rate of 59%. Fourteen statements regarding desirable support were rated with mean values > 6.00 and SD < 1.00 and considered as being the most important during the first year in the EMS. The important supports regarded; colleagues and work environment, management and organisation, experience-based knowledge, introduction period, practical support, and theoretical support. Most statements regarded culture and climate and the way the newcomers wanted to be treated.ConclusionIt was concluded that an important way to support newcomers in the EMS is to treat them ‘nice’. This can be achieved by creating an open climate and a welcoming culture where the new professionals feel trusted and treated with respect, created ways to work structurally, have applicable medical guidelines, and for newcomers to receive feedback on their actions.
Highlights
Being new to a professional practice is a challenging period of time
As a contribution to increasing the knowledge about how to support new professionals in the emergency medical service (EMS), this study aims to describe what ambulance nurses consider to be important support during the first year in the EMS
Since most of the 14 statements in the results were about the climate in the organisation, it seems that the way new professionals are treated and welcomed into the EMS practice are more important to the professionals themselves than for example to have practical skills training
Summary
Being new to a professional practice is a challenging period of time. To our knowledge, there is a lack of knowledge about how to support new professionals in the emergency medical services (EMS). Working in the emergency medical service (EMS) can be extremely varying and sometimes physically and psychologically demanding. Being new in this context can be a great challenge. Routines may be difficult to learn in a practice like the EMS where professionals encounter situations that are highly varying and unpredictable, and the guidelines have been described as inadequate and often not applicable [14, 18]
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