Why hire RN's when other disciplines can do the job

[Marisette]

Has anyone noticed that pharmacist at major drug chains administer flu, pneumonia, and other vaccines at large pharmaceutical chains. The medical assistant at my doctors office calls in medications for me because they don't hire RN's. In the hospitals we have nursing aids, & patient care technicians assist with patient care. I know the value of RN's doing the many functions, but I ask myself when did personnel or professionals from other disciplines start performing what was once mostly performed by RN's.

Could this be part of the reason new grads. can't find employment, or frankly many nurses in different markets. Why bother hiring RN's ? I Know that nurses do more than administer medications, call in medications and perform other physical labor, but sometimes I ask myself if the push for more anxillary health care help is slowly replacing the need for RN's. I recall getting injections from RN's at the large pharmaceutical chains years ago, but now the pharmacist administers. They hire nurse practioners for the outpatient clinics at the large phamaceutical chains or drug stores, but they are advanced degree Registered Nurses. Does anyone value a nurse with a simple RN behind her name anymore?

[tothepointeLVN, LVN]

One more thing before the evening draws to a close.

If an ALL RN nursing force is such an amazing thing why would you need to force facilities to switch through law? Why has it happened yet or a long time ago.

[kalevra, BSN, RN]

One more thing before the evening draws to a close.

If an ALL RN nursing force is such an amazing thing why would you need to force facilities to switch through law? Why has it happened yet or a long time ago.

It all comes down to $$, like many other things in life.

[tothepointeLVN, LVN]

It all comes down to $$, like many other things in life.

Yes exactly just not worth the money.

[kalevra, BSN, RN]

Yes exactly just not worth the money.

I do not that they are not worth the money. When something as important as survival after major surgery or ICU time is at stake people would want to get the bet possible care to avoid complications. Realistically it would cost way too much money and a fine line between what is wanted versus what is affordable has to be drawn.

[tothepointeLVN, LVN]

It's not about what you think in the value for money but what the facilities view as worth it.

[kalevra, BSN, RN]

It's not about what you think in the value for money but what the facilities view as worth it.

That is true, which is why they are the ones that draw the line. Unless you make tons of cash and are able to pay for it out of pocket. At which point I am pretty sure the facility will accommodate your request.

[tothepointeLVN, LVN]

kalvera,

Are you even a nurse yet? I seem to recall reading a post from you awhile that you only just started nursing school ( could be confused with someone else ). Why is it you have such a solid viewpoint of a reality you have yet to experience?

[kalevra, BSN, RN]

kalvera,

Are you even a nurse yet? I seem to recall reading a post from you awhile that you only just started nursing school ( could be confused with someone else ). Why is it you have such a solid viewpoint of a reality you have yet to experience?

Yes you are right I am an RN student. I try to keep up on whats going on in the profession. We are encouraged to discuss politics, management, bedside care, etc. Supposedly it keeps students realistic as to what occurs on the floor. I have seen nurses scream at each other on the floor and then one walked away saying " if you don't like it then talk to my union rep" stuff like that isn't covered in the book.

I understand not all facilities are the same. I also understand that unions play a role, legislators play a role, lateral violence plays a role, hospital policy plays a role, and a bunch of other stuff plays a role in how the profession works out of the book. Real life is not as cookie cutter as the book.

I am sorry if I am bugging you.

[tothepointeLVN, LVN]

You'd have to do a lot more to bug me. However I would caution you against making statements implying that we aren't willing to discuss different viewpoint when their conclusions do not fall in line with yours.

[kalevra, BSN, RN]

Which is why I left it open for people to send in links regarding other research. I based my conclusion on what instructors, research and other RNs opinions are. I am more than willing to explore the other side of the conversation.

[nursel56]

study review purports to show aka the "lies, damn lies and statistics" argument

this conversation is obviously not going to go anywhere as you are already closed off to the idea that research has shown. i am willing to look for more resources but since you are not willing to discuss the issue based on research finding i think this will be our last conversation

that's fine with me. i've spent a lot of time analyzing the subject and could greatly expand on what i already told you. if you want to continue to make unsupported claims on this board you can expect to be challenged. try not to take it personally. best wishes to you in the rest of nursing school.

edit to add: i'll ignore your further ad hominem comments about my supposed closed-mindedness but feel free to post as many links as you care to. when you're discussing a conclusion of some sort it's best if you find your supporting evidence before you make your assertions. if you do it retrospectively you probably won't find anything that suits your needs exactly. as you may have realized by now.

[tothepointeLVN, LVN]

There's research and there is experience. nursel56 has thats in spade and I'll trust her clinical opinion any day of the week.