Nurses General Nursing
Published May 21, 2007
k.lvn.mom
35 Posts
I was wondering what the policy on rendering aid while in nursing school. Nothing medical was performed other than checking pulse and talking to the person. I'm in Texas and I am an LVN student
NeosynephRN
564 Posts
I am not sure what you mean by policy...but the good samaritan law is there to protect "lay people" when they stop to help someone. If you are comfortable stopping, I would perform very limited help, not above and beyond anything you have been specifically trained to do...like CPR since I assume that you have CPR if you are an nursing student. I am not sure what the "rules" are as the whole time I was in nursing school, I was an EMT, so I could and did render assistance under that training!
Thanks. I have CNA/Med Aide certs and I am in my last sem of nursing school, so I think that vitals and talking to a pt are within my guidelines. But I was just wondering if there was anything that was completely against the law that i could not do. Like when EMS showed up I left and let them take over, and I was feeling a little guilty about just leaving but there were several other witnesses to provide statements and I know that alot of people around does not help the situation. So i guess I am feeling guilty about leaving the scene, but the lady was awake and drinking H2O, and EMS was there.
As long as you relenquish care to someone that is more trained than you...that is fine. Like I am an EMT-B, so I would hand over care to a paramedic, but not to a first responder. When you are an LPN you will be able to hand over to an RN or Medic, but not a CNA. Do not feel bad, once EMS showes up they have it in hand. I am sure you did a great job making the patient feel better just by being there!
Thanks
antidote
159 Posts
When I first got out of nursing school and got my first job, I actually found myself in a situation where I had to decide if I should just go on and let the EMS handle it or if I should step in and use my additional knowledge.
Just to make a long story short: they called for a paramedic while I was on an airplane (normally they call for a doctor but they said paramedic so I just kind of ignored it). After I while they called again. I pressed the call button and explained that I was a nurse, and would be able to assist him/her. The paramedic was working on someone by himself who was in full arrest. I went down, started the IV, as well as prepared the AED. Thankfully, this airliner had a full ACLS kit on board!
In any case - if you feel as though you would be of assistance OFFER it do NOT force it if they do not want your help. If someone asks however, you shouldn't refuse.
DavidNurseEMT
23 Posts
Now I am curious, what was the disposition of the patient on the airplane?
EricJRN, MSN, RN
1 Article; 6,683 Posts
As long as you relenquish care to someone that is more trained than you...that is fine. Like I am an EMT-B, so I would hand over care to a paramedic, but not to a first responder. When you are an LPN you will be able to hand over to an RN or Medic, but not a CNA.
Keep in mind that in most states this concept of transferring to a higher level of care does not apply to off-duty/out-of-jurisdiction situations. Since EMS personnel perform their advanced skills under the offline medical direction of an MD, they usually cannot perform more than BLS/first aid when not working on the ambulance.
I'm an RN and an EMT-Intermediate, but I can't carry IV fluids around or intubate an MVA patient that I happen upon off-duty. My EMS agency's protocols only cover me in situations where I'm on-duty for that specific service. So if I stop somewhere and help at a wreck, I'm essentially acting as a layperson. At least in Texas, I would not have to accompany the patient in the ambulance if only two ECA's or EMT-B's showed up to the scene, no matter the patient's condition, and I would not be able to provide any ALS care in that setting anyway.
He was handed off to the EMS (which was waiting at the gate). I'd assume they were EMT-P's since they had him on a heart monitor and what not.