Boss says no CPR cert needed

[Tx_redheadlvn]

My work buddy and I were restocking the crash carts and updating them ( we work in a LTC facility) and the boss lady kept cutting out things that we think are pertinant to keep freshly stocked on the cart.

And then of all things, told us in passing that we don't really need to have all these things here to do so many life saving techniques. The only thing the nurses on the floor need to do is to stabilize the resident until EMS arrives.... ???? Does stabilizing a patient not involve starting a line, getting some fluid in (when called for) etc?? She also said that we don't really need to be CPR certified because if we aren't, then if a code isn't answered in a timely fashion that we aren't held liable.... and if we ARE certified then we will be held accountable...

HUH?

Aren't we liable as nurses? And aren't we required to be certified?? Or is certification something that nursing facilities just expect from their nurses? Is this a law? I have yet to find this info anywhere...

What do you all thinK??

[renerian, BSN, RN]

I think she is crazy, no offense intended JMHO.

renerian

[Brownms46]

Originally posted by jemb

As a BLS instructor for 15 years, I also can say that a BLS card is simply a verification that one has completed the course successfully. I think the term "certified" is a holdover from some years ago when CPR was not generally taught to the public. In itself, taking the class in no way obligates a person to respond to an emergency.

While most healthcare facilities require that their nurses hold a current BLS card (i.e., take a class periodically to keep updated on changed protocols), it is not a "law".

In CA, we have to have 30 hours of CE's every two years to renew the RN license -- no verification of BLS or CPR classes is required. How about those of you in other states?

However, if my supervisor told me that the facility did not require me to know CPR because it would increase their liability, I would get a copy of the policy in writing just to cover myself while I looked for another job with a more responsible facility! Yikes! What else are they not doing?!

Look for another job is right! Too scary for me, but then so is a lot of LTC places!

[TrAuManerd]

According to the TEXAS BOARD OF NURSING:

217.12. Unprofessional Conduct. The unprofessional conduct rules are intended to protect clients and the public from incompetent, unethical, or illegal conduct of licensees. The purpose of these rules is to identify unprofessional or dishonorable behaviors of the registered professional nurse (RN) which the board believes are likely to deceive, defraud or injure clients or the public. These behaviors include but are not limited to:

(1) failing to know and conform to the Texas Nursing Practice Act and the board's rules and regulations as well as all federal, state, or local laws, rules or regulations affecting the RN's current area of nursing practice;

(2) failing to assess and evaluate a client's status or failing to institute nursing interventions which might be required to stabilize a client's condition or prevent complications;

(3) failing to administer medications or treatments or both in a responsible manner;

(5) failing to implement measures to promote a safe environment for clients and others (e.gs. bed rails up, universal precautions);

(16) report unsafe nursing practice by an RN which a nurse has reasonable cause to suspect has exposed or is likely to expose a client unnecessarily to risk of harm as a result of failing to provide client care that conforms to the minimum standards of acceptable and prevailing professional practice. The RN should report unsafe practice conditions or other practitioners to the appropriate authority or licensing board;

Basically, you should report your employer to the board of nursing and to the department of public health. Whether or not you have CPR experience, your judgment as a nurse tells you that is unsafe practice and makes you liable for knowingly caring for patients without the proper credentials. If you want to leave yourself wide open to discipline by the board or potential lawsuits that could strip you of your home, your belongings or your future earnings, or even worse, allow your patients to die from neglect because you didn't perform cpr, then listen to your boss.

the malpractice attorneys would have a field day with this one...