made to feel bad after refusing to push iv meds

[manlpn]

I have been working on the same floor at my hospital for ten years,I have recently transfered to the stepdown unit were they have until this new possition been working with a all RN staff.The policy in the hospital is that lpns are not to push iv meds,we can hang iv piggybacks but no direct push meds,my pt was asking for his iv dilaudid push so I asked the charge nurse who was covering this pt if she would give him his dilaudid she asked me why I would not give it to the pt and I told her it was against policy and it was not within my scope of nursing,she gave me the typical huff and puff and said ok I will sign it out in the book and then you can give it,I said again I cannot give push meds,she proceded to march into the pts room mumbling under her breath about me,later in the shift I overheard her talking with other RNs about me.My problem is I am on this new floor and am trying to make a good impretion,but also I feel that I have to protect my license,lately I feel that mabee I should have just given the med,has anyone been in a similar situation,any advise would be greately appreciated

[Silverdragon102, BSN]

If it is in the policy that you are not allowed to push then you don't. I would get a print off of the policy and if it happens again just show her it and say I am following policy and at the end of the day would you support me if something happens and my license is at risk, her answer would be no, not an issue she has to follow policy therefore she has to do it. You did the right thing and she is at fault. Also as charge nurse she should be aware of policy and support you

just my humble opinion from someone wh has been in a similar position even if in another country

[manlpn]

Thank you for your support.

[pagandeva2000, LPN]

Yes, you have to protect yourself. I know some LPNs do favors for their RN counterparts; I am not judging them. In fact, I also know of some that will do what you mentioned, sign for the meds themselves and allow the LPN to administer the push. I feel that it is best not to start bad habits when it comes to the scope of practice. The patient may specifically describe YOU as having administered the medication, and if there is an adverse reaction, somehow, that RN may squeeze her rump out of it and leave you hanging. And, then, they may ask you to do MORE things without the benefit of signing their name in the MAR, because you gave consent before.

I would certainly print something to show this fact, and either speak to her privately, or to discuss it openly at a staff meeting to state this is not your scope of practice. One thing I am noticing is that many RNs are not familiar with the LPN scope of practice. I have seen that it frustrates them at times to see a licensed nurse before them, but is more limited in practice than they are. They clearly need to see the difference. If this continues, then I would mention to that nurse (before I do it), that a supervisor needs to be involved.

[NurseLatteDNP, MSN, DNP, RN]

I would get a copy of the policy and hang it in the med room.

[SuesquatchRN, BSN, RN]

I would get a copy of the policy and hang it in the med room.

:yeahthat:

[Tweety, BSN, RN]

Do not give the med even if the charge nurse tells you to.

Confront the charge nurse and explain to her how she made you feel....."I heard you mumble under your breath and were talking about me with the other nurses, this made me feel bad, is that what you meant? Is there something you'd like to say to me to my face, rather than mumble?", etc.

Don't hold it inside and be miserable everytime you ask someone to pass your meds. If people are being disrepctful tell them. "When I asked you just now to give my med, you rolled your eyes and came across as rude. I know you're not a rude person but this is how you appear. Did you mean that?"

I'm sure you know it's an inconvience for someone to give your IV meds, so perhaps choosing battles is goingt o be in order here. However, you will get as much crap as you take. Don't let them rent space in your head and tell you how to feel by their actions.

Good luck.

[GeauxNursing]

don't do it dude. esp being new to the unit/floor. don't do it.

[AirforceRN, RN]

Who was the big person and did the right thing in this situation?

YOU WERE.

Good for you...we need more like you

[Sabby_NC]

Who was the big person and did the right thing in this situation?

YOU WERE.

Good for you...we need more like you

Totally agree with the above... You did good!!

[ohmeowzer RN, RN]

i am a RN and i would never ask a LPN to do something out of his/her scope of practice. i can't believe that nurse had the nerve to ask you to push a med..that makes me mad that she would put you in that position... don't do it because if somehtings happens to that pt .. you will lose your license and that RN won't back you up. good luck in your new job, and keep us posted.

[Ariesbsn]

Don't ever feel bad for practicing within your scope of practice and against policy! The minute you do something that is outside of your scope of practice/against policy and something goes wrong, it is your butt and license that are on the line. Not only will the charge nurse not back you up, neither will the hospital.