Is it legal to give a friend insulin before meals?

Specialties Endocrine

Published

Is it legal to give insulin to someone when you are not working under anyone else? I'm a new nurse out just out of school and haven't even had my first job yet. My daughters friend is type 1 diabetic and the mother has said that he could go on vacation with us since I'm an RN and can give his insulin before meals? I wasn't sure if that was legal since I wouldn't be working under that doctor or any facility.

Specializes in Pediatric/Adolescent, Med-Surg.

I don't see the legal problem sounds no different than if you were baby sitting and had to give a kid his daily oral medication. The mom should have the insulin order plan they follow to guide you (be it sliding scale or carb counting or both). As long as you feel comfortable I don't see the problem

I vote no,and here is why:

If something goes wrong,you may be sued.

Do you have ?

I know its only "insulin" but would she have asked you if you were not an RN?

how old is the child?

Specializes in NICU.
I know its only "insulin" but would she have asked you if you were not an RN?

Is she saying that since you are an RN, you have experience giving insulin shots, same as if she said "Your a diabetic and give yourself shots, so you will be able to give his"?

I don't see a problem since parents give kids shots all the time and they aren't working under a doctor.

That's kind of what I was thinking too. And no I haven't purchased any yet but I will before I start working in the next month. Plus even if I did I would have to see the order and have all contact information with the doctor. The child is 14.

I vote no,and here is why:

If something goes wrong,you may be sued.

Do you have malpractice insurance?

I know its only "insulin" but would she have asked you if you were not an RN?

how old is the child?

I don't think she would have had as much confidence in someone who wasn't a nurse giving him his medication. I'm worried because we will be taking him on vacation with us and he will need his insulin and she doesn't trust him to give it to himself.

Specializes in SICU/CVICU.

Why is the 14 year old not giving his or her own insulin?

Specializes in Gerontology, Med surg, Home Health.

A 14 year old kid can do his own insulin. He needs to be taught how now.

I agree he needs to know how to do his own, and if I were his mother I would make him but I have no authority over him. I did tell her that he needed to learn now but she doesn't agree. He's going into high school and the school nurse and his mother are the only ones who give it to him currently

Specializes in NICU, PICU, PACU.

What is this kid going to do when he goes to college? He really needs to do this for himself!

If he is going on vacation with you make sure you get a note that says you can take him for treatment ( we so this with all my kids' friends), a copy of their insurance cards. Also make sure he has a medical bracelet That's nuts.

Specializes in HH, Peds, Rehab, Clinical.

Take the RN part out of the equation. Would you give a friends child insulin now? If so, go ahead. There are millions of insulin injections given every single day that are not performed by a nurse, so clearly, no license is required.

Specializes in HH, Peds, Rehab, Clinical.

Um, at 14 this kid needs to start being accountable for his own diabetes. Why is he not doing his own injections. Unless he's special needs of course.

That's kind of what I was thinking too. And no I haven't purchased any yet but I will before I start working in the next month. Plus even if I did I would have to see the order and have all contact information with the doctor. The child is 14.
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