Pharmacists giving injections!?!

Published

I went into a a local store the other day to get a presription filled. I saw a sign that said basically get your flu, tetorifice, meningitis, and other vaccinations right there. My first thought was "Great, I missed the flu shots given at work and they take my insurance." I went onto read that the vaccinations are given by specially trained pharmacists that took a course. I was a bit upset reading this. I don't want to fill my pts meds and I don't want a pharmacist who took an hour course to be thinking that is enough training to safely do part of my job!

Am I overreacting? Just seems like nursing should remain nursing. Once they start this, who knows what's next!

Specializes in Flight, ER, Transport, ICU/Critical Care.

I don't have any questions about their training and abilities. I also do not see any "creep" with a pharmacist wanting nurse jobs. And compared to going to your MD to get a vaccine - let's face it, pharmacy offered vaccines are more available and likely at far less cost.

:anpom:

And in the event of a vaccination crisis - like the smallpox MWD scare of the last decade - we will have a small army of specially trained pharmacists that will be able to step from behind the counters and onto the front lines of public health to help vaccinate the masses.

:anpom:

My ONLY problem is that most pharmacies are painfully S --- L --- O --- W when it comes to filling prescriptions. Add that I am fully aware that tech's do a majority of the work with said work being checked by the pharmacist. What happens to their prescription business when the current slow work product gets even slower due to the pharmacist being "busy" vaccinating and educating those waiting for that "shot in the arm"! Though I do fully support the offering - I just do not like waiting for RX's to be filled any more than I am currently doing. BooHiss on longer waits! But, maybe they staff and plan for that possible unintended consequence.

:anpom:

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Med/Surg, Ortho, ASC.

Yes, you are overreacting. Pharmacists are highly-trained professionals. Without a doubt, they are (a) capable of administering a flu shot and (b) not coveting anyone's nursing position.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Entry-level for a pharmacist is a LOT higher than a nurse...many pharmacists are doctorate level.... masters minimum. :) It freaked me out at first, but as another poster said, they know the product a LOT better, so learning the A & P of a deltoid muscle and how to "shoot" isn't beyond reason at all :up: I trust my pharmacist with all of my meds- one stupid shot isn't that big of a deal...jmo

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in ICU.

Doesnt bother me. They are a highly trained profession, and something so simple as an IM vaccine I dont think is a big deal. All the pharmacists ive ever worked with have a tonn of knowledge. Its not like is a medical assistant that had a short "class". Pharmacists take the same anatamoy and physiology , plus more education than we do. I think they go to school for 5 years.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

People give themselves or their kids injections at home all the time with just a little bit of training.Why would you think it would take a nurse to give a shot?

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Long term care, Rehab/Addiction/Recovery.

I don't think the problem is with the qualifications of a Pharmacist giving a flu shot. As someone else said its just another punch in the anemic arm of the blighted Nursing field. With so many Rn's and LPNs looking for work its sad to see this.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Acute Mental Health.

It's not the fact that anyone can give an injection that gets me. It's the fact that yrs ago we would not have seen this and as time moves on what else will we see that other professionals are doing that is currently part of the nursing scope?

I understand pharmacists are well educated. They went to school for more years than I did and know just about everything regarding medications. I'm not sure how I feel about another professional doing part of my job. I wouldn't want to go to school to be a pharmacist. If so, I would have years ago. I guess I feel as though this is part of nursing and whats next?

I'm quite sure they are more than capable, but it's still a nursing thing for me. When does it end, with my trash man listening to my lungs? I know, not even a close comparison but I just worry about the future of nursing....

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Rehab, critical care.

It's not like they're having the 16 year old clerk do it, although that wouldn't really bother me so long as they got the training. No biggie.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Oncology; medical specialty website.

I agree...I would rather have a pharmacist give me a shot than an MA.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Neuro ICU and Med Surg.

I taught my mom and husband how to give me my IM injections of progesterone while pregnant so I have no problem with pharmacists doing it.

One of my coworkers was injured by a MA who gave the injection wrong and needed shoulder surgery.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in ED.

How long did it take you to learn how to give an IM injection? Not long, I'm guessing. I think a pharmacist taking a course is more than qualified to give a flu shot.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in none yet.

i dont think so i ran into this same thing when my mom tried to take my daughter to a take care clinic im a professional so i know it can annoying for people to question my ability to deliver care but i was extremely skeptical lol :eek:

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion