Are you allowed to give IV push meds at clinicals?

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I always understood the policy at our school to be "you can only give IV push meds with a licensed person" UM I learned today that you can only give IV push with the instructor! :uhoh3: I was helping an RN and she asked me to draw up this med. I drew it up and then she said, "you can give it." I said "me?" b/c it wasn't my client and then she said yes and then after you give it I will let you tell me why *I* wouldn't give it. So...dum-de-dumdum I give it! Then she asked me "so why wouldn't *I* give that med?" I said "b/c I drew it up". DING DING DING I was right! LOL She runs to the instructor to brag on how well I did...Uh oh! Here comes my instructor red faced and shaky and asks me about it. I really didn't think I did wrong but I did! BIG TIME!!! Now, I am thinking she is going to give me a ZERO for part of my grade! :crying2:

SO, my last clinical of the semester and my first screw up since day one...I am glad that I didn't kill anyone but gosh, I feel like CRAPOLA!

**Susan, if you are reading this...yes this is me!! LOL**

Specializes in 5 yrs OR, ASU Pre-Op 2 yr. ER.

Doubt that they meant that statement as snippy, no reason to jump. Sheesh.

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We're not allowed to push iv meds, even if the instructor is with us. We're taught in skills lab, but that's it. When we start IVs the nurse or the instructor has to start the fluids, we're not supposed to adjust any fluid rate

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Look, there's no reason for you to get snippy okay? If you choose to post on a message board putting out your business then you will get various comments whether you came here for them or not!

I wasn't being snippy, sorry it came out that way. I am sure you could imagine screwing up...knowing you screwed up...and your teacher knowing you screwed up. It's kind of a little stressful to say the least! :uhoh3:

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Specializes in School, Camp, Hospice, Critical Care.

Oddly, our school policy is ABSOLUTELY no IV pushes. However, the clinical site I was at earlier in the semester DID allow students to do IV pushes--so the instructor allowed us to do them in her presence.

She was adjunct faculty, and we pointed out to her several times that the school policy was really clear and that we shouldn't do pushes--and she had us do 'em anyway. I would think the school's policy should override a clinical site's policy, rather than the other way around.

I did 'em, but boy was I careful :uhoh21: that I knew exactly what I was doing!

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Specializes in CICu, ICU, med-surg.

That only things we can't do is hang blood or refill PCAs and PCEs. Everything else can be done with only the instructor present. Interesting how all these schools have such different policies.

Twintoo, sorry to hear about your mistake. It happens and you certainly did learn something! Good luck with everything.

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Specializes in Emergency Dept, M/S.

It's interesting how all the different policies are so varied. I wonder what my school's policy will be.

I'm sorry about it, Twin. You are very forthcoming about your mistake, and that should count for a lot.

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Specializes in ER then CVICU now.
I wasn't being snippy, sorry it came out that way. I am sure you could imagine screwing up...knowing you screwed up...and your teacher knowing you screwed up. It's kind of a little stressful to say the least! :uhoh3:

No problem....I can definitely relate.

Peace :kiss

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Specializes in Emergency & Trauma/Adult ICU.

We can give IV push meds, beginning in the 3rd semester (after we've had a skills lab on IV meds). Our instructor has to be present, as for ALL meds. Our clinical groups are small - no more than 5 - so it doesn't slow down the flow.

Sorry things went awry for you today, Twintoo. Next clinical day will be better! :)

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It totally depends on the instructor and how anal they are...if they watch & count the seconds with you or they say "go give it"...you know how it get's backed up with 8-9 students per clinical instructor. We do it all except administer chemo meds. :)

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Specializes in critical care; community health; psych.

Wow, I'm sorry to hear about the boo-boo. And on your last clinical day too. That truly sucks. Perhaps your instructor will have slept on it before she gives her final evaluation. None of us is perfect and she may realize that you will never ever make that mistake again. I don't know what our policy is on IV push drugs. We just began giving injections and PO meds. Nothing IV so far but I will be certain to ask when I begin my second semester.

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You all are NOT going to believe this but I WAS RIGHT!!! You *can* give it with a licensed nurse. I got out my "official skills checklist" where I checked off on IV-pushes in skills lab! It says "CANNOT give unless instructor or licensed personnell is right by the student's side " (yes even the spelling mistake LOL) OMGoodness, I am SO excited I cannot express it!! She cannot dock my grade for this because I was RIGHT!!! OK, off to present it calmly to the instructor!! :balloons:

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Specializes in Rehab, Step-down,Tele,Hospice.

Yes!! Run to her and show her the rules. Good luck for you. (Don't you love it when a student is occasionally right? hahhahha)

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