Aides being "nurses"

[raebabelvn]

Ok... so poor grammy is in the hospital on the tele floor. Thought it was gonna be the icu, thank you Jesus! Anyway, the aides on the floor are doing things that I as an LVN can't do. Pushing buttons on the IV pump mainly. I watched the aide come in and adjust the pump yesterday afternoon. I was shocked! They also call themselves nurses, and speak directly to the doctors about patients. That last one just seems odd to me. I just think its outrageous that they're stepping way outside their scope of practice and are getting away with it!

Also... what is an "ACA"? I know CNA, and PCA but I've never heard of an ACA...

[txspadequeenRN, BSN, RN]

i totally agree with this statement.

damiere, as an aide you work directly under the direction of the nurse, not the doctor. you share changes you observe in the patient with the nurse first. you'll get into a world of trouble deliberately reporting to the doctor and leaving the nurse out of the loop.

[nursel56]

Wow, you can't even maintain an IV line in your state as an LPN? Remind me never to move there!

The only thing out of scope for an LVN in California regarding IVs is IVP medications, but individual facilities may have their own policies. But it's OK if you don't move here. The traffic is a beast and the job market is unwell.

[indigonurse]

I do not know what state you are in, but the state I am in nursing assistants do not even have to be certified to work in an acute care hospital only a nursing home. In my state it depends on what type of setting a pt. is in. For example in Skilled nursing facilities only licensed nurses can pass meds, only RN's can infuse certain IV's. But if a person is in an assisted living setting quite literally anyone of the street who can clear a back ground check and get some on the job training can admin. medications.

[backatit2]

Ok... so poor grammy is in the hospital on the tele floor. Thought it was gonna be the icu, thank you Jesus! Anyway, the aides on the floor are doing things that I as an LVN can't do. Pushing buttons on the IV pump mainly. I watched the aide come in and adjust the pump yesterday afternoon. I was shocked! They also call themselves nurses, and speak directly to the doctors about patients. That last one just seems odd to me. I just think its outrageous that they're stepping way outside their scope of practice and are getting away with it!

Also... what is an "ACA"? I know CNA, and PCA but I've never heard of an ACA...

"They also call themselves nurses"

I've met CNA's who call themselves "nurses" and after further questioning (usually other people) found out they're CNA's. I'm not a nurse yet, but I do think it's annoying.

I'm a teacher (back in school for my BSN). While I was working on my teaching degree/license - I worked in a daycare. The ladies there called themselves "teachers" when someone would ask - even outside of work. It annoyed me. I always said, "I work at a daycare." I think you have to EARN the title "nurse" or "teacher" and anyone using that title who doesn't have it is obviously lacking. Of course, it could be said that I'M lacking bc it bugs me, but I don't think so. As I said, I never called myself a teacher when I was a daycare employee, and I'm getting ready to take a CNA course so I can work/gain experience while in nursing school. I wouldn't dare call myself a NURSE. I MAY say, "I'm a CNA - I'm working to be a RN."

I get it.