Finger sticks

thill · Jul 22, 2003

I work in a small hospital and most of the time the nurses do the fingersticks. However, when we are short staffed we do allow the CNA's to do the fingersticks. We show them how to do them and then watch them a couple of times and then allow them to do them.

Love-A-Nurse · Jul 22, 2003

i like to do my own.

KaroSnowQueen, RN · Jul 22, 2003

All nursing employees at our hospital chain are taught how to do fingersticks when they are hired, and checked off before they hit the floor. CNA's do all the fingersticks here. Of course our aides are trained to do phelbotomy and do most of it here too.

altomga, ADN, BSN, MSN, DNP, RN, APRN · Jul 23, 2003

our ANA's can do fingersticks, but not our NAI's. They receive the training in school and get validated every year at the hospital. The ANA can become a Carepartner by becoming validated in phlebotomy. They have to go through the lab and do venous punctures and then do so many on the floor to become a CP. They also have a hospital class they attend.

After they become a CP they get a raise in their pay. A form of clinical ladder for the ANA.

casim02 · Jul 23, 2003

i work in a large hospital and the nurse techs that are hired do fingerstick....they get training in school and when they are hired they also do several checklist before they are allowed to do certain tasks...

Noney · Jul 23, 2003

NA's do the fingersticks at own hospital. They have to do 10 with a preceptor first.

Saves me alot of time!

Marie_LPN, RN, LPN, RN · Aug 1, 2003

I'm a CA (clinical assistant). I get all the fingersticks then report them to the nurse in charge of that pt. and also to report them to the unit clerk.

mdfog10 · Aug 3, 2003

six months ago our admin changed the policy. now only RNs can do vital signs and finger sticks--says it is part of our assessment. That would be fine if we had enough nurses and assistants to do the job properly. This just gives me less time to do all the things I need to and the NAs are spread too thin to do everything that is expected of them.

Admin is so far removed from the bedside and they just don't want to hear what we have to say..............................

meownsmile, BSN, RN · Aug 3, 2003

We dont do ANY fingersticks on the floor. We put the order into the computer and a lab tech comes to the floor and does them. It really frees up the staff and we still get our checks done on time. Granted i am in a smaller facility, but it sure helps.

Burnt Out, ASN, RN · Aug 20, 2003

Our nursing assistants learn how to do FSBS in orientation. They do all of ours.