How much advise are licensed nurses legally allowed to dispense on their own??

FireStarterRN, BSN, RN · Sep 20, 2007

If a moderator can change the title to "on their own" I would be most grateful. It must have been that glass of red wine, I think I'll have another.

donsterRN, ASN, BSN · Sep 20, 2007

We're taught that it is not the nurses' responsibility to give advice. It is the nurses' responsibility to provide information and to therapeutically communicate with the patient so that the patient can make informed decisions with his primary care provider, family, etc.

Of course, that's the student in me talking. Real world practice is undoubtedly different.

Elvish, BSN, DNP, RN, NP · Sep 20, 2007

If I have a pt that is asking for advice, what they are looking for is usually information. I am happy to provide information and/or resources. I can't/don't diagnose, and I tell them that. Usually what I say is this: "I'm concerned that this COULD BE X, Y, or Z, or maybe not. I'm not a doctor, and I can't diagnose or treat. I'll let the doc know & have him/her come take a look."

If one of my friends/family asks medical advice, I refer them to their own doc. Some people still don't get that I can't dx or treat but I keep trying.

bigmona · Sep 20, 2007

I was taught in school not even to recommend what OTC meds someone should take for a headache, stomach ache, etc., because it could be considered "medical advice" and it's outside our professional scope of practice.

FireStarterRN, BSN, RN · Sep 20, 2007

Hi again. Thanks for the replies. I was thinking, specifically, when approached by family or friends for opinions or advise. Or, in the example of the woman who advertised herself as a "Baby Nurse" and didn't actually have a license,lLet's say she did have a nursing license. Does that entitled her to give more medical advise than a lay person?

Zookeeper3 · Sep 20, 2007

Let the buyer beware, or better terms, let the person seeking free advice from someone be warned. Without a license, as long as you don't claim your credentials to have one, you can give as much advice as you want... just talk to my mother in law who is an expert on everything;)

As an ICU nurse, I have the luxury to say to inquiring friends and family "that unless you drop dead, you have no use for me... I try to stop people from seeing the light". That shuts them up. Sprains, flu, colds, GI stuff, I say I have no idea, ESPECIALLY if I do.

Now being a baby nurse, you can't get out that easy, but you can reply that your job prohibits you from dispensing medical advice and in addition that things can be more complex than they seem, so the persons doctor would really be the one who has all the information to give them the accurate answer, and getting them the right information is important to you.

ya, I know It's BS, but they'll see through it too and know you're not chiming in. it's at least a way out. I'd never do it personally, except for my husband, kids and my mom. It takes all the worry out about what to say, because you just never know what else is going on, it's too risky.

FireStarterRN, BSN, RN · Sep 20, 2007

So true, Zookeeper. I don't know too much about first aid and crutches, I'm better about drips, vents, and end of life discussions.

cmo421 · Sep 20, 2007

I am always very leary in todays society about giving advice to anyone outside my small world. When asked by pt's families,"what would you do?", I always have replied that I am not allowed to give my opinion,and I think they should just follow their gut feeling and what makes them feel right. And to discuss it with their MD. When asked by friends,neighbors, etc,,,. I may give my opinion, but always follow with. I am not a doc and you really should check with your family physician. Hard not to help when asked since we are in a profession where we naturally like to help, but better safe then sorry!

gentle · Sep 21, 2007

Hi,

Thanks jrls ( hope I posted your username corrrectly) for this post. I tried to post a similar question the other day, but couldn't elicit the responses I was looking for.

gentle · Sep 21, 2007

QUOTE]If I have a pt that is asking for advice, what they are looking for is usually information. I am happy to provide information and/or resources. I can't/don't diagnose, and I tell them that. Usually what I say is this: "I'm concerned that this COULD BE X, Y, or Z, or maybe not. I'm not a doctor, and I can't diagnose or treat. I'll let the doc know & have him/her come take a look."

Arwen,

Like you, I have given similar responses however, I no longer think that this is appropriate. I think that saying "this could be" is taking me out of my scope of practice. I called my local brn about this very situation and that is basically what the brn representative stated.

Though I recognize a change in patient status and understand what things may or maynot be happening, I think I can only tell the patient that their assessment has changed and I will call their doctor.

I haven't developed my own style of speaking with the patients/families with regard to this issue; but, I am trying.

Zookeeper3 · Sep 21, 2007

So true, Zookeeper. I don't know too much about first aid and crutches, I'm better about drips, vents, and end of life discussions.

But they will still ask, those little buggers, and they DO need us and we WANT to help. But there is so much more behind the scenes with med regiimes and co existing diseases that they forget to tell you that you've made a mess, having them not trust a doc that really knows!

Now I've gone as far as to ask WHO the doc was, listen to the spiel and If I wouldn't let the doc touch me, I say "you seem concerned, have you considered a second opinion?" I can give several suggestions, not just one if you decide that is what you need. THAT's as far as I'll go.