What to do in this situation?

nurseprnRN, BSN, RN · Nov 23, 2013

To be charitable, if this woman is a family friend she may think she's giving you a leg up on your education, to be helpful to you. Just a thought.

I would certainly heed all the above posters' recommendations and cautions, including above all,"Don't you lay a finger on this child or his gadgetry," but as an operational move, your attitude towards the mom is, "Thank you so much for the offer to teach me, but I just can't feel comfortable learning things I'll be tested on unless it's from my school."

And good on ya for suggesting this as a topic for class discussion. I think there should be a forum for this sort of discussion at least once a month in every nursing program.

missmollie, ADN, BSN, RN · Nov 23, 2013

Grntea, regardless of the mothers' inclination, which I think you might be right, I have to be selfish right now. I am not a RN, and must protect my learning/school/ability to learn. To not offer it before but now, when I am a student, leads me to wonder. I would probably do the same in her position.

I have an appointment Monday to talk to my instructor.

All knowledge I appreciate. Thank you to everyone who posted. It's not clearly defined here, nor in my textbook. I don't want to do anything to endanger my RN license, or my ability to obtain that license.

Stephalump · Nov 23, 2013

I'm going to step in and say that I don't think it's THAT big of a deal. People in my program frequently work in home care for extra dough, and there's nothing illegal about it. They aren't operating as nurses any more than I'm working as a nurse when I give my husband his b12 shot. Everyone from the physician to the pharmacist is very aware that an unlicensed person will be giving the injection.

I wouldn't do anything you aren't comfortable with, though, and I personally wouldn't do it. I'm not interested in turning the children of friends in my guinea pigs, and I'm not interested in being anyone's free labor - even f it's posed as a learning experience. I also would be weary of officially filling in for a nurse (but who knows if it's actually a nurse. To some people, anyone in scrubs is a nurse).

NurseDirtyBird · Nov 24, 2013

This is the first thing that popped into my head: :singing: "Hiiiiiggghhhh-wayyyy to the DANGER ZONE!

Good for you for avoiding that! And it's awesome you're meeting with your instructor, so everything can be clear for you and the whole class.

seunbaby · Nov 25, 2013

Assume the caregiver gave permission and something goes wrong, who gets in trouble. How you address an issue as a parent or family is totally different from when there is a third party involved. If the patient were her sister, I would say "Go on and learn"! You are likely to loose your priced license if you take on this unnecessary skills.

llg, PhD, RN · Nov 25, 2013

I actually emailed my professor this morning for a meeting time to discuss this issue. My reasoning: if it hasn't been presented then there are 89 more students who also won't know. It's a good topic to cover.

Good thinking.

seconddegreebsn · Dec 1, 2013

I have a friend who is a mother and provides care for her child at home. When she heard I was a nursing student, she offered to train me on numerous things I haven't learned. Drawing blood from a central line, changing the dressing on a central line, suctioning and so forth.
I told her that as a first semester student, I'm not even allowed to give a shot without my instructor there, so I would be willing to observe, but not participate. I'm too worried that she'll be overconfident in my skills because I am a student, and also because she is often looking for a nurse when hers calls off. (She is not a nurse)
I saw this in two ways: First, it's above my ability to provide care, even if she did train me. She is the legal guardian, I am not. Secondly, I thought she might believe I have more capability as a nursing student, perhaps more knowledge than most people. I do not at this time.
So what are the limitations? I was very straight forward with her, telling her that I am incapable of providing care and wouldn't participate, but would gladly observe. The thing is, she didn't ever offer this until she knew I was a nursing student.
What would you do in this situation? What are some of the problems that might arise? Thanks in advance.

I keep thinking

back to this thread - I was offered a job babysitting a type 1 diabetic child by a mother seeking someone with healthcare knowledge. The child requires blood glucose monitoring and insulin throughout the day and the mother wants someone who can recognize the signs and symptoms of hypoglycemia and know how to intervene. She has had babysitters giving insulin shots in the past, none of whom had a healthcare background. I'm a senior in a BSN program and I have given injections, but my gut is telling me that I should say no to this. Oddly enough, if I wasn't in nursing school I'd feel more comfortable going forward, but I'm not looking to test out my malpractice insurance before graduation. Thoughts?

caliotter3 · Dec 1, 2013

Your friend's desire for free nursing does not trump your need to be able to graduate and get a license.

JustBeachyNurse, LPN · Dec 1, 2013

I keep thinking back to this thread - I was offered a job babysitting a type 1 diabetic child by a mother seeking someone with healthcare knowledge. The child requires blood glucose monitoring and insulin throughout the day and the mother wants someone who can recognize the signs and symptoms of hypoglycemia and know how to intervene. She has had babysitters giving insulin shots in the past none of whom had a healthcare background. I'm a senior in a BSN program and I have given injections, but my gut is telling me that I should say no to this. Oddly enough, if I wasn't in nursing school I'd feel more comfortable going forward, but I'm not looking to test out my malpractice insurance before graduation. Thoughts?[/quote']
Go with your gut. As a nursing student your responsibilities, expectations, and liabilities are different than a lay person with healthcare familiarity. You can always discuss with one of your instructors or your fundamentals instructor like the OP. This can be enlightening for you.
Good for you for second guessing.

ixchel · Dec 1, 2013

I'm curious to hear what your instructor said.

missmollie, ADN, BSN, RN · Dec 1, 2013

The instructor said it was not uncommon for a nursing student to assist with those activities and there would be no repercussions from the school if I choose to do so. She did mention that our malpractice insurance did not cover anything outside the clinical experience, and if a personal lawsuit were filed for any reason, it would be on the student to cover that. I wasn't surprised by that at all.

My own personal feeling is the same as before. I personally feel uncomfortable with the idea and will not do it.

*Just a quick disclaimer: just because my instructor said it is okay, does not mean that another school will hold the same standards. It is best to check with anyone's professor/instructor before deciding to do this for yourself.*

Stephalump · Dec 1, 2013

The instructor said it was not uncommon for a nursing student to assist with those activities and there would be no repercussions from the school if I choose to do so. She did mention that our malpractice insurance did not cover anything outside the clinical experience and if a personal lawsuit were filed for any reason, it would be on the student to cover that. I wasn't surprised by that at all. My own personal feeling is the same as before. I personally feel uncomfortable with the idea and will not do it. *Just a quick disclaimer: just because my instructor said it is okay, does not mean that another school will hold the same standards. It is best to check with anyone's professor/instructor before deciding to do this for yourself.*[/quote']
My school feels the same way, which is why I surprised by all of the vehement opposition to the prospect. In fact, people often approach the school asking for students to help with home care, and they encourage us to gain the experience if we're interested.
Like I said initially, I still wouldn't do it in your situation. Things always seem to go worse when you know the people you're dealing with personally. Multiply that by 10 when you're dealing with someone's child.