The Good, The Bad & The Ugly Paramedic: A book for growing the good, breaking the bad & undoing the ugly in paramedicine

by Tammie Bullard

Grow the good, break the bad and undo the ugly in your own paramedic practice.

• Are you still the paramedic that you hoped to be on your first day in an ambulance?

• Do you find yourself questioning any action or inaction at the end of some shifts?

• Would your patient care be good enough for your own family in their time of need?

In the current climate of increasing prehospital demand, it is more important than ever for paramedics to demonstrate optimum skill, safety and professionalism. With growing call volume, public scrutiny, legal liability and employer expectation often creating a sense of overwhelm, the ability to maintain these standards can begin to suffer.

Find out how to evaluate your everyday practice using a simple, pain scale type approach. Remain at the top of your game, no matter where you’re at in your career.

Using a friendly, conversational and inclusive format, The Good, The Bad & The Ugly Paramedic is an easy to follow book. Designed to be picked up, put down and picked back up again whenever and wherever, no matter how time poor you may be.

• Ignite your spark, rekindle your passion or maintain existing pride in paramedicine

• Sharpen your professional approach to patient care, safety & public perception

• Avoid unwanted incidents, disciplinary issues & confusion in this stressful role

• Enhance your reputation, mutual respect and enjoyment of prehospital care

Written by a paramedic, specifically for paramedics and EMTs at every level. A relatable, scenario-based guide to growing the good, breaking the bad and undoing the ugly in all of us.

230 pages, Kindle Edition

First published June 28, 2019

About the author

I am a total book addict, always have been. Now that I write, I have less time to read, but still get through three or four per week and always have a few underway at once in print, on Kindle and as audiobooks so I can lose myself in words whenever I get the chance.

The GBU Paramedic series of books are reflective practice texts in a conversational, friendly format:

Book #1 = The Good, The Bad & The Ugly Paramedic Student Handbook (2021) for students, graduates and anyone getting started in an ambulance career.

Book #2 = The Good, The Bad & The Ugly Paramedic (2019) for every prehospital care provider from beginners through to veterans.

Book #3 = Reflective Rhymes for Patient Care (2020) as a thought provoking pocketbook full of prose, one for each week.

If you see any of my work floating around online or in print, drop me a line, or post a review, I’m always glad to hear well intentioned feedback, good, bad or ugly.

Reviews

[Matthew Heneghan · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a former paramedic (and one who misses the job everyday) I can attest to the brilliance stapled to the pages of this book!

The prose within this book has a conversational tone to it that makes you feel as though you're sitting in the front of the rig, having one of those meaningful conversations with your most trusted partner.

The fact that Tammie can articulate this way is a true testament to her brilliance and understanding of the profession.

This is one of the easiest 5* reviews I have ever wanted to write!

[Theodore Dimitriou · Rating 5 out of 5]

I got this book from MyMedEquip a month ago it's quickly found it's way into my everyday carry as a paramedic! Having recently graduated from a Bachelor Paramedicine this book has been filling lots of gaps that were left from the more clinically practical training I received at university. While this was important, >90% of what we actually do as paramedics is social, yet <10% of what we learn at uni covers this.

Reading this book is both enjoyable and empowering. Using common real-life situations which are common occurrences in this profession, Tammie has artfully weaved a gentle pedagogy of what it means to be a 'good, bad, and ugly paramedic' in a non-cliche, and non demeaning manner.

As a new paramedic I highly recommend this!

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a fantastic read. The GBU really made me self reflect on my practice as a paramedic. I used to always try my best but after reading the book i’ve definitely stepped that up a notch.
Not only a great read for current paramedics but I’d highly recommend it for students entering the ambulance industry.
An easy enjoyable read.

[Emily · Rating 5 out of 5]

I would recommend this book to anyone in the field of paramedicine, no matter how new or old. As a student paramedic I’ve already got a lot to reflect on from reading the scenarios in Tammie’s book. I look forward to reflecting again once I’ve completed placements and eventually gained employment as a registered paramedic.

[Star Mystique · Rating 5 out of 5]

A must read for any student paramedics, or indeed any qualified paramedics. I'm surprised that it's not on the curriculum for more university programs. It certainly was not on my university curriculum, which is a shame. Ideal reading for a capstone or transition to the workplace university subject.

[Terence Johnson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I won this book through the authors Instagram page. I would have purchased it regardless. When I started in the Ambulance forty years ago we had Oxy-Vivas for therapy, suction & resuscitation, and Entonox for pain relief. That and bandages, dressings and splints. Today’s Paramedics have training, skills, and access to life supporting drugs that we could only dream about. This book, however, relays most of the same issues we had in the 1980’s. Like a trip down memory lane. It’s very easy, third person, conversational style is seperated into chapters which are then broken down into Good, Bad or Ugly scenarios. Like a manual that all medics use. It could be picked up and referred to in down time on the unit when having a coffee break with your partner. In fact, this book should be used as a reference much like our Clinical Guidelines Manuals are. I smiled when I read about Paramedics balking when called ‘Ambulance Drivers’. We did the same back then. We were Ambulance OFFICERS! If you are lucky enough to have this job as your vocation - which is what it is - I recommend this book to you. If you are studying to become a Paramedic, or an Ambulance Officer, you will gain great insights into our profession. This is one book I own that will not be going onto the bookshelf. It’s in my daily carry. @hawkeye_driver_guide.

[Helen McCormick · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a registered nurse I found this to be incredibly useful, I was able to reassess my own strengths and weaknesses as a nurse, the scenarios are easily relatable in any healthcare role and the relaxed read allows self reflection in your own time without judgement. I have colleagues already waiting to borrow my copy! If professional growth is high on your agenda then you’ll find this book a valuable tool to have on hand.

[Ashley Ingram · Rating 1 out of 5]

I read around half of this book. Whilst I applaud the author for the effort put in. I found the way the subject matter was explored was dull. It was based on non-descriptive stories which I have been in many times before. I was hoping for the author to explore the subject matter in detail. At the beginning of the book it said it was aimed at paramedics. Unfortunately it didn't feel that way.

[Emma · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed reading this, so much resonated with me and I only wished I had read it sooner. I was lucky enough to have brilliant mentors when I started on road but feel this should be a must read for any students starting out in the field.

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an invaluable book to anyone interested in the prehospital profession or as a first responder as much relates to this area.
An honest and insightful approach with heaps of thoughtful and interesting information.
Thank you!

[Steven Love · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. I feel it not only applies to brand new paramedics starting out but also to those of us that have done it for a handful of years. Good information and challenges you to take an honest look at yourself as a paramedic and how you handle each call.

[Tom Rogers · Rating 4 out of 5]

A reminder for all industries, but especially those in public facing positions. The sliding scale of good, bad and ugly can quickly change based on attitude and being continuously self aware is vital to upholding reputation.