RN responsibility--how far do you go in being a first responder?

Nurses General Nursing

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Two situations occurred today that made me start to wonder exactly what my responsibility is, now that I have my RN license, in the event of an accident, etc.

First, I saw a woman slumped over on a bench in town, but firefighters were already there checking her out (they are typically the first responders in our town and have AEDs and such on their trucks). Then this afternoon, from my home I heard a car collision somewhere outside the neighborhood but not that far away. Within 2 minutes I heard sirens, and it turns out that the accident was on a main road near my house..

I know that states have laws about professional responsibility--i.e., if I had seen the woman on the bench before anyone came to treat her, because of my RN license I would be expected to do so. If that had been the case today, I would have immediately assessed her and called 911 as needed. Similarly, had I been in the vicinity of the car wreck, I would have immediately called 911 and gone to help the people involved in the accident. But where is the line? Should I have gone over to see what I could do for the woman on the bench once the first responders were there? Should I have thrown my kid in the car and driven in search of the accident? Was I wrong to assume (turns out correctly) that at rush hour there would be hundreds of cars going by who could call 911?

I am eager to help and would do so in any case where I was needed. I just wonder what people's experiences are with this sort of thing or if anyone knows how to get info about it. Thanks in advance.

Much like there are medics/EMTs without a clue, there are nurses as well. The environment in which fire/rescue/EMS/police function is much different than the arena most healthcare professionals function. A nurse has an independent license with a poorly defined scope of practice. A medic/EMT has a license much the same but anything an EMT or medic does or recommends falls under medical direction/medical director which will get tricky legally while not working. But just like a cop and fireman is always a cop or fireman, so are all healthcare professionals and though laws do NOT point this out, the general public has an expectation that case law likely will back during a jury trial. Don't expect a hospital or government organization to back you. God bless.

First let me say kudos for the desire to act to any suffering. And for the comment don't be a hero. BS!! Be a hero. Be your own hero is a great motivation! That said, unless you have an agreement with whomever is responsible for sending qualified persons to local emergencies, don't respond. BUT do not pass someone in need of assistance either! It is a balance. If you desire to be apart of those who respond, find out who is in charge of the local EMS/Fire/Rescue and talk to them. Your credentials will certainly make you an asset and training will make you safe to self and others. The street is different than the hospital where "most" patients have a general consent to help them and most don't have dangerous substances or weapons on them (MOST)! Just as the ER is a different world than the floor; so is the street different than the ER & way different than floor/surgical nursing. I need to touch on relationship - most areas have a good relationship between fireman and EMS/EMS and nurses. Some do not. So know your area and treat others as equal healthcare professionals. Fact is that a person's scope of practice (or lack of) does NOT determine their worth/value to a person who needs help. I have worked & volunteered as a fireman, nurse, rescue and EMT as the incharge person and as the Indian. Communication is key! Bystander, patient and self safety is key and sometimes that means telling someone to get lost as nicely as you can or as firm as need be.

Specializes in Psych, Addictions, SOL (Student of Life).
There are very few states, if any, that have a "duty to act" law for RN's. There is, of course, the moral/ethical issue that you will have to search inside yourself to see how involved you might want to become.Remember sometimes all you can do is hold someone's hand.

A few years ago I witnessed a car get broadsided and there was no immediate help available. I got out of my car to see if anyone was seriously hurt and the woman behind the wheel was frantic as she had her 3 children in the car. One in the front seat who had taken the full impact of the airbag. After determining that the children were not seriously hurt and mom was able to exit the car on her own. Myself and a fellow concerned citizen shepherded the children to the curb. I have a pretty good SHTF kit in my car so I rendered 1st aid to the child with the airbag burns and kept the other distracted until EMS arrived. Never told them my name or that I was a nurse - Just a doomsday prepper out for a Sunday drive.

Hppy

Specializes in orthopedic/trauma, Informatics, diabetes.

I came upon an accident that had literally just happened. There are a lot of hospitals where I live so there was me, another nurse, an off duty EMT and a man from the military organizing the scene (several cars involved). There was no one in serious condition, once we got everyone sorta triaged (I think one man may have had a broken arm), I left. I don't have a lot of experience with emergency stuff, but I couldn't not stop.

I had an interesting thing happen this weekend. i was at a concert. there was a man that had obviously over-imbibed. I wasn't sure what to do. After him being slumped over for >45 minutes, I finally asked his buddy if it was just alcohol or something else (like if he needed to be narcanned). I convinced the group to take him to the first aid tent. There wasn't much I could do but suggest they get help sooner rather than later. They should have an emergency test number for situations like this. There were no ushers anywhere near. I was smack in the middle of a row, in the middle of the seating area. Hope he is ok.

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