I live in PA, my stepchildren live with my husband and I. Their mother, who just became a licensed RN in December of 2008, lives in Maryland. When they came home this past Sunday, my stepdaughter complained of pain in her right arm. When we asked her what was wrong, she said that before leaving the house that morning, her mother gave her three shots, one for the flu, one for pneumonia, one for HPV. My step son, about 1/2 an hour later, came into the room, also complaining that his arm was sore from shots. I asked him if they'd gone to the doctor, he replied, "NO! My mom is an RN, she can buy the shots from the hospital and give them to us at home." My question to you is, IS THIS ETHICAL? Is it legal? Can you 'buy' your vaccinations at your place of work and give them at home without a doctor's orders? I have looked a bit on the internet, and especially with the HPV vaccination, it says that a doctor has to administer it, and it's a series of three shots. Something about this whole thing doesn't sit right with me. I thought I'd throw it out there to the professionals. Any advice?
Ah, but the OP asked if it were "ethical" not if it were safe. Clearly she is not merely interested in 'the best interests of the children' but in uncovering some more dirt on her rival.
I'd like to know why she or her husband can't pick up the phone and talk to the mother of these kids like adults? Ask her "The kids said that they'd gotten some vaccines while visiting, is there anything we should be watching for? And, how did the visit go, any concerns or worries on your end?"
Not to be completely obnoxious, but again, please give me one REPUTABLE source that states you should not give simultaneous vaccines to children. It has nothing to do with inexperience - it has more to do with evidence-based practice. At the current time both the CDC and the American Academy of Pediatrics (and ACIP) recommend simultaneous vaccination of children.
Working in a doctor's office, I've given two while the nurse on the other side of the child gives two.
2 + 2 = 4
And when my daughter and I were getting ready for our trip to Vietnam - we got more than a few at a time.
I have never ever heard of giving shots to one's own family member at home w/o some kind of order. I am so surprized this is a common practice! So many things can go wrong, not to mention you are treating your own children. Have I been living under a rock?
You treat your own children when you give them ibuprofen, too.
Ah, but the OP asked if it were "ethical" not if it were safe. Clearly she is not merely interested in 'the best interests of the children' but in uncovering some more dirt on her rival.
Thats a good point. I had assumed that the OP, like so many others I've encountered, simply misused the word "ethical". I was under the impression she was asking about the legality. If its more a question of ethics, then tho OP needs to S T F U[yeah, I mean "that"], let the biological parents worry about their own kids, and quit playing the "meddling step mom".
Worried In PA - I also have given my kids immunizations at home. In fact, at the place where I work we once had a program to give kids immunizations on home visits, so I don't think that is a problem.
The only concern I have with your story is that the mom did not check with you to find out what vaccines have already been given, or let you know what she had given so you don't have them repeated. Also, the HPV is a series - you need to find out if she is going to give the remaining immunizations.
Specializes in peds critical care, peds GI, peds ED.
As long as she acquired the immunizations legally according to the laws of her state, she is perfectly within her practicing rights as an RN to administer them. She should have notified dad of the injections for appropriate monitoring and interventions as necessary. As to the legal ramifications, as long as the agreement between herself and dad was not infringed upon in making medical decisions unilaterally, no infraction occurred.
Good for her in keeping the kids healthy. Maybe the lines of communication between the adults should be a little more open.
My concern is the giving of three vaccines at one time. As an NP, I am more conservative then that and would likely not offer three different vaccines at one time, especially to younger patients or kids, then sending them to another state with no information. They could have negative responses. This is irresponsible and likely related to a lack of experience and knowledge by the mom who is a new grad. I would counsel her on safety issues but as the kids mothers it is her decision (should the dad be involved? I would say yes...) decision regarding their health care.
I am an NP too (who works/teaches full time in pediatrics) and am very confident in the safety of giving 3 vaccines at a time on the VAST majority of cases. It is not uncommon to give four (two in each appendage) in cases where children are behind in the schedule in the US.
But I do agree with you on the dad being involved and the importance of providing the other family with information concerning the vaccines.
You treat your own children when you give them ibuprofen, too.
Couldnt have said it better myself---we all treat our own children. I would be willing to bet every single one of us has given a prescribed med to our own kids one time or another and the 1st dose was NOT given in a hosp setting.
as per the tone of most of the posts I think many picked up on the new wifes hopes to get the ex new nurse in trouble, apparently though she is off base. I love the NPs advice that three vaccinations at one time is not the best course but besides that the new nurse is just looking out for her kids well being and "trying" to be a good mom, the new wife is just fishing .
I am a new nurse and my childrens Father's new girlfriend sounds awfully similar to OP...Not that I have ever given my children any vaccinations, nor would I be against it, but it definitely sounds like she is looking for ammunition and that is truly sad.
A record of communication needs to be set up between the bio parents and rules need to be stated clearly up front. I am tired of my ex and his meddlesome girlfriend trying to trap me through phone conversations, or face-to-face conversations to make me look bad, so I sent a polite email asking that all conversation be through email where we both have documented copies of it (I also forward these communications on to his lawyer, which i'm sure ****** him off, but I've gotta back myself up). It seems to work well, and that way any issues that the bio parents have between themselves can remain just that, and not involve the kids, or the step-parents.
I sincerely suggest you do this, to protect yourself, the Mother, but most importantly, the children.
I do believe that the vaccinations should have been discussed prior to being administered for multiple reasons, but we are only hearing one side of the story.
Good luck to the biological Mother in her new career.
FireStarterRN, BSN, RN
3,824 Posts
Ah, but the OP asked if it were "ethical" not if it were safe. Clearly she is not merely interested in 'the best interests of the children' but in uncovering some more dirt on her rival.