Is This Ethical?

Worried In PA - I also have given my kids immunizations at home. In fact, at the place where I work we once had a program to give kids immunizations on home visits, so I don't think that is a problem.

The only concern I have with your story is that the mom did not check with you to find out what vaccines have already been given, or let you know what she had given so you don't have them repeated. Also, the HPV is a series - you need to find out if she is going to give the remaining immunizations.

As long as she acquired the immunizations legally according to the laws of her state, she is perfectly within her practicing rights as an RN to administer them. She should have notified dad of the injections for appropriate monitoring and interventions as necessary. As to the legal ramifications, as long as the agreement between herself and dad was not infringed upon in making medical decisions unilaterally, no infraction occurred.

Good for her in keeping the kids healthy. Maybe the lines of communication between the adults should be a little more open.

I am an NP too (who works/teaches full time in pediatrics) and am very confident in the safety of giving 3 vaccines at a time on the VAST majority of cases. It is not uncommon to give four (two in each appendage) in cases where children are behind in the schedule in the US.

But I do agree with you on the dad being involved and the importance of providing the other family with information concerning the vaccines.

Couldnt have said it better myself---we all treat our own children. I would be willing to bet every single one of us has given a prescribed med to our own kids one time or another and the 1st dose was NOT given in a hosp setting.

as per the tone of most of the posts I think many picked up on the new wifes hopes to get the ex new nurse in trouble, apparently though she is off base. I love the NPs advice that three vaccinations at one time is not the best course but besides that the new nurse is just looking out for her kids well being and "trying" to be a good mom, the new wife is just fishing .

I am a new nurse and my childrens Father's new girlfriend sounds awfully similar to OP...Not that I have ever given my children any vaccinations, nor would I be against it, but it definitely sounds like she is looking for ammunition and that is truly sad.

A record of communication needs to be set up between the bio parents and rules need to be stated clearly up front. I am tired of my ex and his meddlesome girlfriend trying to trap me through phone conversations, or face-to-face conversations to make me look bad, so I sent a polite email asking that all conversation be through email where we both have documented copies of it (I also forward these communications on to his lawyer, which i'm sure ****** him off, but I've gotta back myself up). It seems to work well, and that way any issues that the bio parents have between themselves can remain just that, and not involve the kids, or the step-parents.

I sincerely suggest you do this, to protect yourself, the Mother, but most importantly, the children.

I do believe that the vaccinations should have been discussed prior to being administered for multiple reasons, but we are only hearing one side of the story.

Good luck to the biological Mother in her new career.

If Stepmom comes back again... You sounded pretty upset about what the kids mother had done, and seeing that you were informed by the kids about the injections, they probably picked up on your feelings of anger and distrust about their mother. Maybe you should tell them that at first you were upset, but now that you have looked into the issue, their mother did nothing wrong. Swallow your pride, set a good example, and let them feel good about their bio mom, no matter how you feel about her.

And yes, nurses give injections all the time, in the hospital, at clinincs, and at home. (Doctors do not really give many injections.) I give vitamin b shots to several people on a regular basis. Their Dr told them if they had a nurse willing to do the injections at home, he would write out the script and they wouldn't have to drag into the office just for an injection.

What part did you consider to be unethical? Her injecting her kids, not telling you, Not asking you???

And to be quite honest, what harm did come from her actions? Other than your concern and a couple of sore arms, what was so awful? If you go looking for trouble, you will no doubt always be able to dig something up. You said that she has done all sorts of "illegal" things... and yet she is on this side of the law and has her new license. Find a new hobby, maybe one that is actually productive and causes no harm to anyone, least of all your stepkids.

~BlueBug

Sorry- have one question- did the non custodial mom check with you if the immunizations she gave were already given?
I'm all for immunizations but if they were already given- it could be a problem.
For your kids sake- be in touch with her, and ask that she just check with you before giving any other shots- immunizations or otherwise.
Who usually takes the kids to the pediatrician? They should be the ones to coordinate the immunizations. Are you in principle against immunizations? If not- don't make a big deal out of this- but ask the mom to coordinate health care together so there is no overlap.

Now here (above quoted, and thank you) is the very thing I think that she was looking for as advice and was the base of her concern from her original post... I don't think that she was looking for all the other peanut gallery stuff about her personal life, really people!...

I agree with Classicdame. I think it would have been good to have given stepmom and especially dad a heads up on what was given, when, etc. so as to watch for any possible reactions/allergies. Other than that, as my fellow posters have stated, it is legal and ethical for an RN to administer.