Do RNs have to take PA's order?

Nurses General Nursing

Published

I talked to a friend who was thinking either going to nursing program or PA program. She said someone told her the PA program is more difficult coz PA have to learn both medical stuff and nursing stuff. Also, PA take doctors' order and then they order nurses. I'm a nursing student and I have never heard that before from any of my instuctors:confused: . Personally, I don't think they have the authority to give order to any NP or RN. My friend also said that PA earn much more than nurses. If compared PA with LPN, it might be true. But if compared PA with NP, that might not be the case. Anyone here knows more about that? I appreciate for the input.:D

EvePooh

Just the other day, the nurse suspected his pt had a PE, the trauma resident didn't agree over night. In the morning, the PA was hemming and hawing about writing the order for the (forget the name of the radiologic test)

Its a VQ Scan. =)

Up Vote Up Vote ×

At the hospital I work at a nurse got fired for smarting off to a PA and not taking his order.

PA's don't just give orders to give them they are in contact with the doctor so you may be "ignoring" the doctors orders.

I am not saying that you don't have the right to question the order, but not taking it just because the person is a PA is just silly. We are all supposed to do our job.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in PICU, Nurse Educator, Clinical Research.
You know, this heirarchy may be changing. Perhaps not right away, but definitely in the not too distant future. I found this article on US News some time ago that discusses the ongoing changes in healthcare. For now, the buzzword is 'teamwork', but I wouldn't be surprised to see more states passing legislation allowing trained, licensed non-MDs to perform certain medical procedures. Its already happening. The HMOs would love nothing more than if the states were to grant more autonomy to ARNPs because they can independently perform many routine medical procedures and for far less money than the physicians are paid.

The article shows that the squabbles about heirarchy in healthcare is much more about 'turfdom' than it is about the delivery of safe patient care. Very interesting article. Long, but definitely worth reading.

http://www.usnews.com/usnews/health/articles/050131/31turf.htm

I did a group presentation on advanced practice nursing this past semester, and I was amazed to see how large the scope of practice for an NP was in north carolina. All of the NP's in the ICU where I worked functioned exactly like the residents. When I interviewed them for my presentation, they cited the same thing- medicare and the hmo's are all for getting more for less.

in the clinic setting, especially family practice, around here, it's very common to have a group of NP's, PA's, or both, with one MD. The NP's and PA's take the vast majority of the patients. If you want to get an appointment with the MD, it can take 3 months- the other practitioners can see you within a week or so.

It seems to vary a lot from state to state. the NP's I talked to said they moved to NC because they had so much autonomy here...the PA's I know say the same thing.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

As far as suturing wounds go, in our ED, our PAs and NPs both suture wounds of all levels. A lot of it depends on the skill of the individual what they're willing to take on.

We have a couple of PAs and one NP that routinely suture facial wounds and do it so well, I'd let them do my kids rather than witing for a plastic surgeon.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Teamwork is best for patients & staff members..however i can realize that there some people whom i would be not trust much to give orders and stand up for them if something went wrong...always be sure that a order is correct and question, question, question if you are the slightest bit concerned..that partient is looking to you to see that his best interests are met

rachal, i just noticed by your sign that you are new grad..congraulations best wishes

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Add a Comment