chemotherapy certification

[lmpotter]

Is anyone practicing in a hospital that does not require certification to give IV or IM chemotherapy?

[missy2b]

If they don't, let me know so I never ever go there.

[lmpotter]

I recently relocated to a new hospital, and they seem to think that any nurse is able to administer chemo agents to patients without certification. This is not standard practice in the region I came from, so I am a little concerned that the administrators of this hospital are trying to save some money. They are advocating that a nurse is considered proficient if they have taken a SLP-Self Paced Learning activity for administration of chemo drugs. I really believe that this is a high risk, low volume procedure and therefore really requires a higher level of education. Any advice as to how to find out community standards and region standards for chemo administration? One of the nurses at the hospital that actually has chemo certification told me that these drugs are no more dangerous to administer than the vasopressors we use in the ICU, I disagreed strongly. Any advice?

[Fonenurse]

What does the board of nursing have to say? Could you make a general enquiry about whether it is mandatory in your state, and if so, what courses they would recommend. This would then give you ammunition for the subject at work?

[lmpotter]

Fonenurse: Thank you, that is probably the best place to start. I appreciate the advice.

[Nursemelo]

At the facility I work at you do not have to be certified to give PO chemotherapy or monoclonal antibodies such as rituxan. For the rest...yes you must be certified.

[SFRN]

I recently relocated to a new hospital, and they seem to think that any nurse is able to administer chemo agents to patients without certification. This is not standard practice in the region I came from, so I am a little concerned that the administrators of this hospital are trying to save some money. They are advocating that a nurse is considered proficient if they have taken a SLP-Self Paced Learning activity for administration of chemo drugs. I really believe that this is a high risk, low volume procedure and therefore really requires a higher level of education. Any advice as to how to find out community standards and region standards for chemo administration? One of the nurses at the hospital that actually has chemo certification told me that these drugs are no more dangerous to administer than the vasopressors we use in the ICU, I disagreed strongly. Any advice?

Hi I agree with you completely---chemotherapy is NOT the same as using a vasopressor. I work in an ICU and have, on occasion, taken care of cancer pt's requiring chemo. There is NO way I was going to administer the chemo---and so a chemo-certified nurse came to administer the chemo. I don't know much about chemo. but I know you have to know lab values, ph of the med, central vs. peripheral line, administration rate just to name a few.....