Boss says no CPR cert needed

Nurses Safety

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:confused: 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??

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Specializes in pre hospital, ED, Cath Lab, Case Manager.

I think her reasoning is more than a little skewed. I would think that you would be held accountable as a nurse, but I am not a legal expert.

My hospital holds CPR classes according to The American Heart Association standards, but we are not "certified" card holders..a way of cutting back on expenses I guess. My husband who is an affiliate faculty with The American Heart Assc. gets twisted when they hold the ACLS classes without giving us the books. Apparently they are supposed to be included in the cost of the card/class.

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Specializes in Cardiac/Vascular & Healing Touch.

as a BLS/ACLS/PALS instructor & a board member for American Heart Assn, I will tell you that THERE IS NO CERTIFICATION FOR any of the above. It's a card saying you went to a class & made a passing mark-completion. You are no certified to do anything! Very sad they are not keeping you current in latest BLS techniques. Even if you are in LTC, what about co workers who may arrest, or family members, or you & your loved ones? I have had several co workers who needed BLS over the years. They lived to say "thanks" too. By the way I am teaching two of such classes today. I'll pass this on to the course coordinator. :confused:

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Our cards for BLS, ACLS and PALS say: this card CERTIFIES that the above individual has successfully completed...

What does that mean???

Now we all know that passing the course and having a card does not mean the person can function in that role.

I know nurse, paramedics who have gotten fed up with healthcare and gone to work at WalMart. They still have current ACLS/PALS cards. They are not expected to perform as such.

I would agree that at any healthcare facility (acute or LTC) there should be an obligation to provide basic needs while "waiting" for EMS...IV access would be one of those.

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Specializes in Cardiac/Vascular & Healing Touch.

like I stated before I just says you completed a course it give one no license to do anything. One would like to think it empowers the card bearer to be able to perform......but I have seen otherwise so many times.

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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?!

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Specializes in Step down, ICU, ER, PACU, Amb. Surg.

Sounds like your boss lady is an underlying promoter for euthenasia (just a modest opinion) and as a nurse if you do nothing, you are liable anyway....she should encourage keeping you all up todate on the most current techniques. Good luck.

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Every hospital or agency I have worked at has required a copy of my BLS,ACLS,PALS cards.

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Specializes in NICU, Infection Control.

I'd check w/your state's facility licensing laws--I live in CA, and my employers have REQUIRED me to have CURRENT CPR and NRP cards as a condition of employment. I think JACHO requires it, too.

I think your boss is nuts. No offense.

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I agree with prmenrs. I just downloaded the state regs for my state and found a few interesting things we are not in compliance with. I would think most State Dept of Health offices have web sites. When you log on go to search and type in regulations and see what pops up. In NJ it was the entire 200 plus page document. Or give them a call if they don't have a web site. May also be in the facilties policy/procedure manual.

Sounds like your boss needs to have a family member she loves in a situation she is putting the patients in...

Good luck!

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I agree with prmenrs. I just downloaded the state regs for my state and found a few interesting things we are not in compliance with. I would think most State Dept of Health offices have web sites. When you log on go to search and type in regulations and see what pops up. In NJ it was the entire 200 plus page document. Or give them a call if they don't have a web site. May also be in the facilties policy/procedure manual.

Sounds like your boss needs to have a family member she loves in a situation she is putting the patients in...

Good luck!

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Originally posted by jemb

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?! [/b]

GREAT ADVICE

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