Should I be Doing This?

TheCommuter, BSN, RN · Jul 23, 2007

I work on a subacute floor in a large nursing home, and I am expected to dress my own wounds. You are a licensed nurse, and it is within your scope of practice to dress wounds. No certification is needed for wound care, unless your particular workplace requires one.

pagandeva2000, LPN · Jul 23, 2007

I concurr with TheCommuter; it is within your scope of practice and therefore, they are correct in having you do wound care. It might be to your advantage to look for a wound care seminar. I took one last month that was phenomenal. At this time, I work in a clinic, but, it was great because if I do decide to work on a unit, I would understand the lingo and some of the information provided.

erinp88 · Jul 24, 2007

I worked as a treatment nurse while I was waiting to take my NCLEX in 2002. I also did wound care when I worked in the ER as a tech because it was delegated to me by an RN or physician.

You're more than capable to wound care at this point of your career! I think technically you are working under someone else license at this point. It all depends on your facilities policy.

txspadequeenRN, BSN, RN · Jul 24, 2007

the advise you are getting here is correct. wound care is within your scope of practice. you may not have had much exposure during nursing school, but i think that is pretty much the norm. after nursing school is when you really learn about wounds there are so many dressings and treatments that can be done you would still be in school learning all that.. you can always ask someone more experienced if you have doubts or are not sure.

:monkeydance:i just started a new lpn nursing job at a nursing home. they have me doing treatments on the subacute floor. am i supposed to do this without a certification??? the wounds are not really that bad... but i dont want to be doing something i'm not supposed to be doing. most are stage i or stage ii decub's with dry dressings or wet to dry. help....