Breaking the Rules to Save a Life

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Specializes in School Nursing, Ambulatory Care, etc..
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Specializes in School Nurse, past Med Surge.

I saw that. I wonder if she'll face any repercussions from her BON? My EMS is 2 minutes away, so I don't know if I could risk my livelihood to do what she did.

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Specializes in kids.

She did the right thing, shame on the parents for not supplying that childs glucagon.

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What a scary situation to be in!

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Specializes in ER.

She deserves a medal.

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Correct decision 100%

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100% !!

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Specializes in School Nursing.

I read this with such wide eyes hoping it didn't end with some crazy discipline.

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I think it all comes down to "what would a reasonable and prudent nurse do?"

In this case, I think use the glucagon and save the girls life!!! Would I break policy for an advil? Never!! But being able to step in and save someone based on your nursing knowledge and judgement?? Well, that is our job!

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Specializes in Community and Public Health, Addictions Nursing.

I'm pretty sure I would do what that nurse did, too. Seeing a person have a life-threatening medical problem is just awful, and my instinct to help in whatever way I can tends to kick in pretty strong. Maybe that instinct really just comes from a very robust Sunday School program when I was growing up, but that old Bible verse about giving to everyone who asks is always on my mind.

I know there's a lot of concerns that go along with the nurse's actions, but I really hope that the parents of the child whose glucagon was used didn't get angry at the nurse and instead realized that they helped to save a life in their own random way. Anyway, see above, in which I like to be a part of a society that helps first and asks questions, if there are any, later.

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I told my husband on about day 7 of this job, before I had stock epi and standing orders for epi, if it ever comes down to it and I see a kid in anaphylaxis with no order, I'm using someone else's epi pen. It may mean I lose my job and/or my license but I can't just sit there and do nothing when I have something that might help. He agreed. Thankfully I have never had that situation come up but it could totally happen.

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Specializes in school nursing.

I am jealous of all of you who have stock epi, albuterol, etc. My district has none and the head nurse shot me down when I asked about it. ?

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