I know a RN can do ROM exercises and varying other basic stuff, but can they do any major interventions comparable to a PT ?
Esme12, ASN, BSN, RN 4 Articles; 20,908 Posts Specializes in Critical Care, ED, Cath lab, CTPAC,Trauma. Has 43 years experience. Jan 26, 2015 NO...they can't or at least they don't
roser13, ASN, RN 6,504 Posts Specializes in Med/Surg, Ortho, ASC. Has 17 years experience. Jan 27, 2015 Why would they? I don't know about you, but as an RN, I would not feel at all comfortable with gauging a patient's ability to perform X, Y or Z physical activities. That is not within my scope of practice, nor within my comfort level, given my lack of training as a physical therapist."I know a RN can do ROM exercises and varying other basic stuff, but can they do any major interventions comparable to a PT ?"Keep in mind that an RN would never be doing "ROM and varying other basic stuff" without an order from PT/OT. Please tell us that this is true for you also.
akulahawkRN, ADN, RN, EMT-P 3,494 Posts Specializes in Emergency Department. Has 8 years experience. Jan 27, 2015 I have extensive training as an athletic trainer. I'm also an RN. I have (and have used) many PT and OT skills... but I've only used them on those very specific people that I was authorized do, namely "my" athletes. In my RN role, I wouldn't institute PT/OT exercises (even if I knew how to properly evaluate for their use) without an order for those services and clearance by the therapist because of their very specific and specialized knowledge and experience.
RNperdiem, RN 4,580 Posts Has 14 years experience. Jan 27, 2015 I have wondered myself sometimes when PT gets the patient OOB to the chair. Sometimes this requires the PT assistant as well and maximum assistance from both. Sometimes I ask "are you going to return to help them back to bed?". Of course not, the 100lb nurse untrained in PT will have to figure it out for herself. And round up plenty of help.
Here.I.Stand, BSN, RN 5,047 Posts Specializes in SICU, trauma, neuro. Has 16 years experience. Jan 27, 2015 No way. I am no more qualified to practice PT than they are to practice nursing.
