As usual, I have to be different. Initially, I went to OHSU and received
a Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing. After working in Portland we
relocated in Klamath Falls. At that time, the Emergency Room nurses also
staffed the ALS ambulance. That was my first exposure to EMS. I had found
my niche. I worked on the ALS ambulance for eight years, and during that
time I also did EMS education for Klamath County. I received my Paramedic
certificate in 1991.
In 1994 my family moved to Lakeview. It was a big change. I could no
longer make a living at the job I loved. EMS in Lake County is all
volunteer. It is very challenging and rewarding, but definitely different.
I work with the most dedicated, selfless individuals who put others in front
of everything they do. They train because they want to, not because they
are told to. They clean their station because they want to, not because
they have to. They meet every problem head on to find the best solution
for the good of mankind, not because of a turf battle. They have taught me
everything.
In Lakeview I worked ER/OR for approximately six years. Over the last
three years I have managed Home Health and Hospice. It may seem different
to go from emergency care to home health and hospice, but there are many
similarities. You have to be very good at assessments, advanced IV skills,
and treatments. We have to problem solve, and at times be inventive, just
like in EMS.
But working in a frontier area has its down side. It is difficult to
stay proficient in your Paramedic skills unless you are disciplined. A year
ago I joined the Air Medical Team at Mercy Flights in Medford. I now travel
200 miles, two or three times a month to help maintain my EMS and nursing
skills at top notch level. Mercy Flights has graciously taken me under t
heir wing, and push me to be the best Paramedic/Flight Nurse I can be.
They challenge my skill level, my problem solving skills, and my medical
knowledge, and push me towards proficiency.
Now what? Work is never done, so I have applied to Graduate school and
hope to get into a Family Nurse Practitioner program soon. I want to minor
in Emergency Medicine and Forensics and then practice in frontier Oregon.
My future vision involves operating a mobile clinic (that travels to small
area towns to see patients), help out in the Emergency Room, specialize in
child and sexual abuse prosecution and, of course, EMS. I plan to continue
assisting with training and running calls for our local EMS services.
Lesa Cahill, RN, EMT-P
Lakeview Disaster Unit
|
