Need advice

[Wishinonastar]

The other day one of the administrators at my school asked me to give her weekly allergy shots. Well, I felt funny about it but I have epi so I figured I would not fuss, even though I have no experience in this area. Now today, another administrator asked me to give his daughter her birth control shot that she takes every three months. She is not a student, but an adult. I was even more uncomfortable but I could not very well say no. Then, she immediately showed up, injection in hand with no dose or anything on the label. I frantically searched Google to get the scoop on this drug- I never worked in a gyne office either. I told her I could not give a drug unless I knew something about it- I did not even know if it was IM or what site or anything. So I hurried as best I could and looked it up and gave it.

My concern is, these kind of things are way out of my realm. Allergy shots are dangerous, and giving an IM to a person who is not under my care is just plain risky. What are your thoughts? Am I just paranoid? Do you do favors like this at your job?

[michigooseBSN]

How do you say no in a situation like this? It is bad enough that they don't understand school nursing or treat me like a professional, but now they put me in this kind of a position. I just don't know what to do. They could make my life really miserable if I say no. Then, the daughter tells me she can't afford the doctor office charge, but Daddy is probably making $100,000 a year. And the allergy shot one just doesn't want to go to the office during work time. I never dreamed people would ask me to do these things.

It's simple. I say "I'm sorry but my nursing license doesn't cover this and I would be liable if something untoward happened." I will give pro-op eye drops if there is a prescription label on the bottle and change simple post-op dressings or ace bandages but that's about it. I try to be pleasant and I sympathize with their problem but stay firm. I won't risk my professional license to do someone a favor. There's a reason allergy shots are given in an office and the patient required to stay for observation. Don't do it!!

[Wishinonastar, BSN]

In regards to doing favors for friends, I have taken sutures out, checked vitals and lungs, given flu shots and advice to friends and family members. I have done these things without feeling obligated, even though it is a little uncomfortable, because they needed me to. Still, I have a different relationship with personal friends and family, and there is an element of trust involved.

Dealing with an administrator (outside of an illness or injury at work) and the administrator's daughter is different. I do not have the personal relationship that I have with a friend or family member, knowing that they would do a favor for me in return. Instead, I feel uncomfortable because I am not within my job role or my personal role. I feel - used.

On the bright side, the administrator has yet to bring in the allergy shots. I am hoping the doctor said no. I m not going to ask about it.