[RazzmaStaaz]

I am new to GI nursing and have a few questions I'd like to ask. First of all I am not an RN , I am an EMT and a MA who is new to the medical field. I have transferred from the telemetry unit to the endoscopy unit and I am enjoying the move. I am working as 1st assist in procedures and find the work very interesting. I have done alot of research and am trying to become a good GI person. Now that you know a bit about me let me get to my questions : ) Please keep in mind that I am NOT an RN so there may be many things out of my scope (no pun intended ) of practice. Do 1st assist in your area spray pts. prior to EGD procedure ? One of the nurses in the unit feels that since I am not an RN I should not be allowed to do this what are your thoughts ? It seems that this is the only person that feels that this is a medication and since I am NOT an RN I should not be allowed to spray although I did it for about 3 weeks before this was brought up. I have no idea what the pay scale for NON RN persons in this position should be making , would anyone care to comment on pay rates for 1st assist ? And last but not least how do RNs feel about techs performing as 1st assist ? Thanks for reading my post. Jacqueline

[EndoRN]

1. I am fine with techs assisting the doctor! As long as you've been trained properly. It doesn't take an RN to do biopsies, etc. Where I work, the RN's are required to do the tattoing, injecting epi and so on, though.

2. We actually don't spray the patient's throats (or have them swish lido) where I work. This is because we have anesthesia sedation which is deep enough that they seldom gag or have problems. We also found that the spray more often than not just caused a lot of coughing from vocal irritation. I guess I would have to say it should be an RN job to do the spray, though. Not that it's that difficult, but it IS a medication so........

3. As for the pay scale, couldn't tell you! I have no clue what our techs make???? If I had to hazard a guess I'd say maybe around $10/hr???? I'm just guessing, though!!

Good luck! Welcome to GI. I've been doing it for almost 4 yrs. I really love it.

Amy

[patsue53]

In our endo lab we have LPN's who assist the physician. They spray the patient's throats because it is within their scope of practice to administer meds that aren't IV. I guess it depends on the laws in your state, but cetacaine spray (or lidocaine or whatever caine you use) IS a medication. So, if it is within the laws or your state for you to administer medication I don't see a problem as long as you are educated in the contraindications and potential side effects of the drug. If you are not allowed to administer meds then you shouldn't be doing it. There are potentially serious complications from these sprays i.e. anaphylaxsis and methemaglobanemia.

If I were you I would check the laws and policies. If you are not supposed to be administering medication then by all means insist that the RN spray.

[jburris]

In our unit we allow techs to spray the throat and push the epi., etc. under the direction of the physcian and the RN. They have competencies and are very capable.
We love our techs. in our department but it has been difficult for the RNs to give up the hands on technical role. Their role is to monitor and assess the patient .
Good luck, have been in endo for over 20 years and still love it.

[RazzmaStaaz]

Thank you for your answers to my post. It seems that different areas of the country have different rules according to where you have said you are located. I am still learning so much and I do like the work . I suppose that the best thing for this ole gal to do is bite the bullet and get into nursing school. Geez is 45 too old to try to keep up with all the kids out there LOL ? Again, thanks for the replies.

Jacqueline

[EndoRN]

Too old? No way! Do whatever you want to do!
I've thought about going back for my BSN, but have decided against it. I'm pretty happy w/my lot in life right now. I like my job and want to stay there. Obtaining a BSN wouldn't get me any more money at this point! Plus working part time as a fitness instructor in addition to my full time AND my four kids leaves little time, so......LOL!
But, if going to nursing school is something you want to do it, do it! There will a job for you anywhere you want to go!
Good luck!

Amy

[TWEETY-expired]

I'm in nursing school right now... and, I can tell you that 45 is NOT too old. I, myself, am 26... but, one of my good friends in the course is turning 42 this week, and another is 44. In fact, there is a woman in my program who has been a CNA for 7 years, and now has decided to go to nursing school. she is 59, and will be 60 soon. In fact, i'm one of the younger students in my program. Most are in their early 30's (average) where I am in school. So, 45 is certainly not too old!

Good luck to you.