School System ... Is this ethical?

[Lauren Hochheiser]

I am actually a licensed practical nurse, I've had my license for 10 years now. 
I've worked in multiple settings such as family medicine as a triage nurse, skilled nursing facilities and rehab units but never a school system. 
One of my friends who is a front desk secretary. The school she works for has some children with high needs, such as a child with spinal injury that needs straight catheterization daily.
The nurse at her school is having multiple front desk staff learn to catheterize this child as "UAPs" . The state board of nursing states only a licensed nurse can perform such a complex and invasive task due to the risks of the procedure (perforation of bladder/ infection if sterile and proper technique is not used) . My question to you is this normal within the school system? 
In my experience it would be considered highly unethical and dangerous to allow unlicensed staff to catheterize someone. 

I understand that delegating tasks is common in nursing but usually it should always fall within proper scope of practice. Someone with no medical training or license (or even a CNA
Or MA/ health assistant) I would expect things like blood pressure/ blood sugar to be delegated if the nurse is unavailable but not such invasive skilled nursing tasks.

[k1p1ssk, BSN, RN]

Oh wow - I would never even consider delegating straight cathing, regardless of if I was legally allowed to or not for all the reasons you listed!! I know a good number of experienced pedi nurses who are uncomfortable with it, let alone a UAP.... 

Ultimately, it sounds like it is not delegable in your state, and so you are right, it is not ethical or legal for her to be doing that - and it has nothing to do with being in the school system or not - as school nurses, we are still bound by the nursing practice acts in our states. I'm honestly surprised the families and UAPs in her school are comfortable with this happening. 

As for what to do about it, I suppose you could have a conversation with her about your concerns - that her license is on the line - and if nothing changes, I think I would consider reporting either to the school district and/or the BON.

[Cattz, ADN]

What a difficult spot to be in. Please Do Not do anything that's not in the Scope of Practice in your state. Speaking with Admin and a parent would be a good place to start. Good luck and please update us soon.

[iggywench, BSN, RN]

I've had a few special needs students in the past for whom I was able to delegate straight cathing.  Since it is a clean technique and not a sterile one, it is able to be delegated (after lots of training) in my state.  We have a training procedure, as well as a form that both the trainer and trainee sign once training is complete.  Actually, in my district, our policy is that staff members are delegated by the principal (with training by me) to do things like administer medications and perform non-sterile procedures.