Do i belong somewhere else or am I overreacting?

[sarahg88]

Hello fellow nurses. I have been nursing for approx. 11 months now and find myself in situations which i still can't figure out on my own, or which i feel i know nothing about. When i work day shifts theres a lot going on and i find it hard ti wrap my head around the whole big picture and fit pieces of the puzzle together. Example, today i had a patient with a subclav line and hung my own iv medication on it i had no idea that only rn's were aloud to do that. I felt so stupid. I feel that because i've been doing this gig for 11 months now that i should know everything, seems like every other nurse does but me. I did well in school but find myself to be clueless and stupid on the floor at times.... What should i do? Am i the only one? Pure honesty would be greatly appreciated.

[Sun0408, ASN, RN]

This is still new to you and you still have much to learn, hang in there.. First, know your states scope of practice. In many states a LPN can not hang IVF or push IV drugs. Second, when you come to something you are unsure about..ask, most environments have someone willing to guide and teach, a charge nurse, nurse educator or senior nurse on your floor. Also use your free time to look up things you are unsure of ie: drugs etc, glance over your facilities P&P manual is also a great resource for you..

[Taffey]

Hang in there give your self some more time and do not be afraid to ask questions.

[notmanydaysoff]

Let me preface by saying that you asked for "pure honesty"

How is it that you are unaware of the scope of practice (SOP) for the state/facility that you work? Are LPNs allowed to hang/push any IV meds in the state where you work?

To remain safe and free from being involved in a malpractice suit, you absolutely MUST learn the SOP where you work. I can't even tell you how many times during school, during IV cert training, at my present job, etc., that I heard/have been exposed to what I can/can't do regarding SOP, IVs, IV meds, hanging blood, dealing w/certain medications, etc.

There was even a question or two on my NCLEX exam.

Like Sun said, if you do not know or are unsure of something, ASK. There's usually someone who will be glad to share information with you.

Is there going to be any follow-up or repercussion to this action? Was any harm done to the patient?

[KimberlyRN89, BSN, RN]

How is it that you are unaware of the scope of practice (SOP) for the state/facility that you work? Are LPNs allowed to hang/push any IV meds in the state where you work?

I THINK I recall my program's assistant dean saying that in the state of Tennessee, LPNs can hang IV meds (she lives in TN) . But I am not sure. Overall, I agree with you. If you are not able to locate your state NPA, a good thing to look at is your job description which is usually given to you in a packet when you start the job or when you apply for the job.

[mama_d, BSN, RN]

Where I work there is a matrix (basically a spreadsheet) that lists who can do what. See if your place has one so you won't be tripped up on that again. It's not unusual for facilities to limit us more than the state does.