New LPN, new job, and IV push...

Published

I'm a new LPN, and got my first nursing job at an endoscopy center in the procedure room. There is one specific doctor that asks me to push the meds (Versed and Fentanyl) for him after he has begun the procedure because his hand is "contaminated". I'm new at this, and I do what the doctor says. I was told by the nurse that trained me to not ever mention that he lets the LPN's push meds for him. I'm wondering if my license would be on the line if this practice were to ever come to light. I feel that it is my job to do whatever the doctor tells me to, but I don't want to risk my license. Any advice on how to handle this situation?

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I'm still in school, but our instructors are very clear when they tell us to never do anything outside our scope of practice. That includes once we're RNs. I'd offer to get the doctor new gloves, if necessary. You're putting your license in jeopardy if you're doing things outside your legal scope of practice.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Transplant/Surgical ICU.

:yeahthat:

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in CNA/CMA in LTC.

I agree never never do what is out of your scope of practice!!! If something was to happen the doctor would probably run for the hills you would be standing there with the IV push. But clearly state that it is out of your scope of practice and you don't feel comfortable. If I was yelled at I would ask him if he would like to discuss it with the medical director....But I'm a mouthy person...no one person is worth the license that I just busted my hump for!

Good luck!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in ED/trauma.
I'm a new LPN, and got my first nursing job at an endoscopy center in the procedure room. There is one specific doctor that asks me to push the meds (Versed and Fentanyl) for him after he has begun the procedure because his hand is "contaminated". I'm new at this, and I do what the doctor says. I was told by the nurse that trained me to not ever mention that he lets the LPN's push meds for him. I'm wondering if my license would be on the line if this practice were to ever come to light. I feel that it is my job to do whatever the doctor tells me to, but I don't want to risk my license. Any advice on how to handle this situation?

I don't mean to sound rude, but...isn't this a learned-in-school-type question???

It is ABSOLUTELY NOT your job to do WHATEVER the doctor tells you to do!

There are things you KNOW not to EVER do. For example, you wouldn't rub iodine on someone who's allergic to shellfish. That's a textbook example. But you also should have learned that to do things that are OUTSIDE of your scope of practice is ILLEGAL. If that endoscopy center or doc get sued, and someone knows that the LPNs are pushing IV meds, what do you think will happen to you guys?! Or, forget the lawsuit, what if someone finds out and just decides to tell your state BON?! :eek:

Please understand this is NOT a matter of degree differences (RNs have and BSN or ADN and you don't, nyeah nyeah nyeah). This is a matter of doing what you are LEGALLY LICENSED to do. I know plenty of LPNs that can run circles around me -- and are perfectly CAPABLE of pushing IV meds. However, they darn well know NOT to! :no:

OMG! Please remind this doctor that, if he can't use his "dirty" hand, then he needs to get someone else in there that is legally allowed to do the job for him! For the sake of your license and needing good nurses, don't continue doing this just because the doctor tells you to! :uhoh3:

Up Vote Up Vote ×

You are definitely risking your license by doing this. He knows this but can pay you less than an RN.

And pick up malpractice.

www.nso.com

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Adolescent Psych, PICU.

I am so shocked that you feel it is your "job" to do whatever the doctor tells you to do! This is not the 1950s. That statement really upsets me for your own sake. Nurses do not just do whatever the doctor tells them to do...

Also, what does your state nurse practice act say about nurse administering drugs out of their scope of practice? This is something you should know....I'm assuming when they sent you your license they also sent you a copy of your state license act or at least where to obtain a copy of it.

My state for instance (Oklahoma) *does* allow RN's to administer certain drugs that are normally out of our scope under certain conditions; therefor I know what I can and can't do and under what circumstances:

"Registered nurses may assist a licensed provider by administering anesthesia

agents/paralytic agents/sedative analgesics in situations where the provider is

present but unable to personally inject the agents because the provider is

performing the critical task of airway management for the patient

"

Up Vote Up Vote ×

DO NOT PUSH!!! An LPN CANNOT PUSH!!!

I'm a new LPN with new IV Certification. If I learned NOTHING else in school I FOR SURE learned that I CANNOT PUSH! Think before you push, then...DON'T PUSH!:nono:

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Critical Care.
For example, you wouldn't rub iodine on someone who's allergic to shellfish. That's a textbook example.

I hate to play devil's advocate, but I just want to point out that an actual iodine allergy is incredibly rare. 99.999% of the population allergic to shellfish are actually allergic to specific proteins associated with the shellfish and not the iodine. I wish we had better testing so that people knew exactly what they are allergic to, but that's the truth.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in ED/trauma.
I hate to play devil's advocate, but I just want to point out that an actual iodine allergy is incredibly rare. 99.999% of the population allergic to shellfish are actually allergic to specific proteins associated with the shellfish and not the iodine. I wish we had better testing so that people knew exactly what they are allergic to, but that's the truth.

When you are in the hospital, if someone says they are allergic to shellfish, the hospital will take EVERY precaution to keep that patient FAR from iodine.

My entire point was to highlight something simple that we read in nursing school textbooks (the same ones that do NOT point out your statistical information because it's MORE important in nursing practice to prevent an allergic reaction than to pay attention to possible statistics that, if wrong, could provoke a life-threatening response) that has a PRECISE answer. The same is with LPNs NOT pushing IV meds. There is no room for equivocation.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Practice wants in your scope of practice! Your license is at risk not the doctor:nono:

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I spoke with the doctor about this, and he apologized and said he won't ask me again. He said he understood my stance, and was impressed because I was the first one to ever speak up about the issue. Thanks for all the advice!!!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion