I asked my doctor to get me a licensed person to give me an injection

Nurses General Nursing

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Specializes in OB, M/S, HH, Medical Imaging RN.

I've been sick with pneumonia x 12 days and through this illness my left ear has plugged up, loud roaring noise and definately don't hear as well on the left side.

I went to the ENT today and have fluid behind the ear drum and had a hearing test which showed a significant hearing loss due to damage to the auditory nerve which Dr. ENT says was caused by the virus which caused the pneumonia. We don't know what caused the pneumonia, but whatever. I do trust him.

He suggested a shot of depo-medrol. I said "do you have a licensed person who can give me that shot?" His eyes got big and serious and said "Why?". I said "because I prefer a licensed person draw up my meds and give me the injection". He said "well I can give it to you but I haven't given one in years and my best MA gives shots every single day, we give alot of depo-medrol in this office. I said "Ok". He did not like me asking that question and was kinda flippant saying she gives shots every single day.

MA comes in the room and I asked her what her experience was and she said she had been in the Army as a medic x 12 years and had alot of experience and understood my concern. I told her "well you know alot of MA's think they are nurses, say they are nurses and they are not. I went to school for 4 years to be able to say I'm a nurse and I really have a problem with MA's who don't understand their scope of practice". She didn't say too much other than so you are a nurse? and she added I won't let an MA draw my blood so I know how you feel.

She gave a good shot, I didn't even feel it. I felt justified in asking the doctor for a licensed person even though he didn't appreciate it. If for nothing else so he knows that some people do object to unlicensed persons giving them injections.

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Specializes in Med-Surg, Trauma, Ortho, Neuro, Cardiac.

Get well soon

There are several other threads about MA's verses Licensed Nurses do we need to really go there again?

https://allnurses.com/forums/f8/ma-s-calling-themselves-nurses-76829.html

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Specializes in OB, M/S, HH, Medical Imaging RN.
Get well soon

There are several other threads about MA's verses Licensed Nurses do we need to really go there again?

No we don't. I just want feedback on asking the doctor for a licensed person to give me an injection? Would they? Wouldn't they? Do they think it inappropriate to ask? etc...

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Specializes in Fertility.

Thanks, Tweety. Thank you so, so much...Poor MA is all I can say...

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Specializes in EMS, ER, GI, PCU/Telemetry.
No we don't. I just want feedback on asking the doctor for a licensed person to give me an injection? Would they? Wouldn't they? Do they think it inappropriate to ask? etc...

i dont think it was wrong of you at all. its your body and you have the right to say who touches it and who doesnt.

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Specializes in Acute Care Cardiac, Education, Prof Practice.

As far as I understand a physician has the right to bring Joe Blow in off the street and train him to give shots, because it is under HIS/HER credentials and they are vouching with.

I would assume by asking him for someone other than the person he has trained and trusts, you are some how circumventing his authority and judgment.

I will also say that your comment to the MA blatantly slapped her experience and knowledge in the face.

Title or no title, a person with pert near more experience giving shots than I have legally driving, will win any day with me over a fresh new-grad with a trembling hand.

Tait

In addition, yeah, fine ask for who you want, but leave the belittling of the MA out of it.

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I've been sick with pneumonia x 12 days and through this illness my left ear has plugged up, loud roaring noise and definately don't hear as well on the left side.

I went to the ENT today and have fluid behind the ear drum and had a hearing test which showed a significant hearing loss due to damage to the auditory nerve which Dr. ENT says was caused by the virus which caused the pneumonia. We don't know what caused the pneumonia, but whatever. I do trust him.

He suggested a shot of depo-medrol. I said "do you have a licensed person who can give me that shot?" His eyes got big and serious and said "Why?". I said "because I prefer a licensed person draw up my meds and give me the injection". He said "well I can give it to you but I haven't given one in years and my best MA gives shots every single day, we give alot of depo-medrol in this office. I said "Ok". He did not like me asking that question and was kinda flippant saying she gives shots every single day.

MA comes in the room and I asked her what her experience was and she said she had been in the Army as a medic x 12 years and had alot of experience and understood my concern. I told her "well you know alot of MA's think they are nurses, say they are nurses and they are not. I went to school for 4 years to be able to say I'm a nurse and I really have a problem with MA's who don't understand their scope of practice". She didn't say too much other than so you are a nurse? and she added I won't let an MA draw my blood so I know how you feel.

She gave a good shot, I didn't even feel it. I felt justified in asking the doctor for a licensed person even though he didn't appreciate it. If for nothing else so he knows that some people do object to unlicensed persons giving them injections.

All I can say is-- Wow.

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Specializes in OB, M/S, HH, Medical Imaging RN.
All I can say is-- Wow.

Wow...Why?

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I think you were being petty. Just because someone has a license doesn't make them more competent over someone who has experience. Suppose you were a ASN and a patient demanded only a nurse with a BSN take care of them?

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Specializes in Med-Surg/Peds/O.R./Legal/cardiology.

I understand why you asked him that question, Dutch. Your explanation may have been a little condescending though. :eek:

Hope you feel better soon! :)

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Specializes in Med-Surg, Trauma, Ortho, Neuro, Cardiac.
No we don't. I just want feedback on asking the doctor for a licensed person to give me an injection? Would they? Wouldn't they? Do they think it inappropriate to ask? etc...

Well, if you'd asked the question without the " told her "well you know alot of MA's think they are nurses, say they are nurses and they are not. I went to school for 4 years to be able to say I'm a nurse and I really have a problem with MA's who don't understand their scope of practice", it might have a different feel for me.

Carry on.

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Specializes in cardiac/critical care/ informatics.

I agree with Dutchgirl, you just really don't know who is given your injections in a doctors office. More people need to stand up and ask you is doing what to them.

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