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Discussion

Scope of Practice

So, this discussion came up at work and we are in the process of asking the State Board of Nursing regarding Scope of Practice for RNs but just wondered what everyone else thought...

Is it within an RNs scope of practice to insert a speculum? What about a pessary (for those of you not involved in OBGYN, a pessary is something you probably brushed over in nursing school... it is inserted into the lady parts to hold up a prolapse, cystocele or rectocele. Lots of different kinds, but generally think of a big rubbery, flexible ring.)?

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    Moved to the General Nursing Discussion forum

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    I would think it would depend on your state board, but with some additional training I don't see why you could not insert a speculum. We put in catheters after all, and that is really a fairly high risk procedure when you think about it. Not sure about a pessary, but I have taken care of older women who used to just use whatever would fit and stay, and they did it themselves...

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    Learned pelvic Exam in nursing school. Truthfully, it involves the collection of a culture which all of us do all the time already. Docs are protective of it because it reimburses well, not because it's a skill outside of scope of practice

    The local boards of health here have rns do the pelvics. No money involved- no need for midlevel or md.

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    Note of interest...back in the day, some poor women used to used things like small potatoes as a pessary.

    Agree with other posters that these skills are not outside of the abilities of RNs.

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    Some facilities have policy/procedures in place to allow RNs to do well woman visits, performing routine paps and providing education...We learned it in school, but haven't used it yet.

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    Just yucky, tewdles.

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    And sheesh, L&D RNs are sticking their fingers up there all the time. Big whoop.

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    I think they threw them away after...

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