Can nurses do x-ray procedures like in urgent care?

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How? What are their duties?

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Specializes in Cardiac/Progressive Care.

The urgent care facility I worked at had a radiology tech onsite. I don't think it would be in the scope of practive as an RN to perform xrays.

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Specializes in Acute Care, Rehab, Palliative.

No. x -rays are done by trained technicians, Nurses do not learn how to take x-rays while in nursing school.

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The RNs do xrays in the medical center I work in. I believe it depends on your state.

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Specializes in CCT.

Depends on the state, in Texas there is a "limited license tech" that is allowed to shoot certain low risk films.

That said, you may want to think about how you feel about UAP taking over nursing functions before you take over a radiology function.

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Specializes in Spinal Cord injuries, Emergency+EMS.

a lot of this will depend on legislation

in the UK this would be perfectly possible assuming the Nurse was trained as an 'operator' under IR(ME)R, e.g. most Dentists are 'operator' trained for dental plain films ...

I see someone posted ' Nurses do not learn how to take x-rays while in nursing school. ' sorry that is irrelevant , unless there is a specific prohibition on a practice by a particular health professional group then there is the possibility to expand and /or extend practice to include that assuming the other legislative issues can be met ( e.g. Nurses as prescribers, Nurses doing X ray requesting ... , plastering , suturing etc (as Nurses and ENPs in Emergency care do on a routine basis )

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Specializes in Emergency, Telemetry, Transplant.

I did not 'learn' how to draw blood while in nursing school but I do it everyday. However, I have very little desire to learn how to do Xray procedures.

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Specializes in ER/ MEDICAL ICU / CCU/OB-GYN /CORRECTION.

Before you assume any responsibilities for another discipline contact the BON in your state and do NOT go by the employers direction or job description.

Clearly this could be a legal risk and one concerning patient safety as well as put you in great jeopardy.

Marc

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Specializes in Spinal Cord injuries, Emergency+EMS.
Before you assume any responsibilities for another discipline contact the BON in your state and do NOT go by the employers direction or job description.

Clearly this could be a legal risk and one concerning patient safety as well as put you in great jeopardy.

Marc

I'm sorry to have to say this but yet another hard of understanding post on Allnurses, where dogma, tradition and ignorance influences the advice given.

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Specializes in burn ICU, SICU, ER, Trauma Rapid Response.

RNs do basic x-rays in some of the very small hospital ERs in this area. I have been (on the job) trained to do portables for chest, abdomen and several types of extremity views.

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Specializes in CCT.
RNs do basic x-rays in some of the very small hospital ERs in this area. I have been (on the job) trained to do portables for chest, abdomen and several types of extremity views.

You may want to check your state laws. I know in this state if your applying radiation there's some level of formal education/licensure that has be be met if your applying radiation for medical purposes.

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Specializes in Emergency, Telemetry, Transplant.
I'm sorry to have to say this but yet another hard of understanding post on Allnurses, where dogma, tradition and ignorance influences the advice given.

What he said was definitely legit for the US, where nurses cannot do Xrays just because the are an RN....

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