Accepting orders from PA's

OBNURSEHEATHER · Jul 28, 2001

I usually work post partum/nursery, but occasionally I'm floated to the gyn unit where PA's are highly utilized. We handle their written orders just as we would any MD's. I've never had the occasion to receive a verbal or telephone order from a PA, just because if the occasion arises, I will still call the attending OB/GYN (out of habit).

Actually, that's the part that's confusing to me. In my own unit, there is 1 OB and 1 Pediatrician. When I go to GYN, I have MD's, PA's, residents, and Family Practice docs that are ALL following the patient. But we accept orders from them all the same. I do believe that the attending MD does have go back and cosign all of their orders though.

So that's how we do it in my little corner of Ohio!

Heather

Home Health Columnist / Guide · Jul 28, 2001

Craig:

Go to the National Council of State boards of nursing web site.

http://www.ncsbn.org.

This will provide access to each states board of nursing; most have web sites that you can view practice act, inquire re practices and verify license standings now.

roustabout368 · Jul 28, 2001

Florida RN--- I guess I'm from the old school, I want to talk to the doctor and I do.

CraigB-RN, MSN, RN · Jul 29, 2001

I"m more interested in the nurse practice act and not personal opinions of mid-level providers. That is a whole other can of worms.

maikranz · Jul 29, 2001

Originally posted by CraigB-RN
I"m more interested in the nurse practice act and not personal opinions of mid-level providers. That is a whole other can of worms.

Mid-level providers ARE NPs and PAs.

In NC, they must go through a detailed application process, certification, and review prior to being approved to perform medical acts, not to mention the education process they come from prior to that process. This web site has links to most, if not all the states' boards of nursing.