supervised by non nurse

[swtonursing]

just a quick question are any staff supervised by individuals who are not nurses? I was tentatively written up by a social worker as I took vital signs for a patient who began recently taking Lasix for HF in a home care environment. She was afraid I would upset the patient as it was the first time I encountered him. Any tips in this situation? the client did not seem upset and actually asked me to take his blood pressure.

[traumaRUs, MSN, APRN]

Is this a psych pt? If not, just let us know and we can move your post to a forum where you will get the most exposure

[elkpark]

I've been in situations (in psych) over the years in which individuals from other disciplines have criticized something about my practice on an inpatient unit, and I've always pushed back (politely). Staff nurses in psych settings work with members of other disciplines, but are supervised clinically by their nurse manager or other nursing individual. I don't second-guess how the social workers and psychologists do their jobs, and I don't appreciate them second-guessing how I do my job. Unless the issue at hand is something that would be grossly inappropriate for anyone working on the unit, regardless of discipline, IMO, it's none of their business.

Who is your immediate supervisor (RN), and have you talked with this person about the situation?

[KelRN215, BSN, RN]

How is the Social Worker in a position to judge whether or not taking the patient's BP was warranted?

[swtonursing]

I agree the patient is a psych patient in a PACT / ACT team she had her meds changed while in a hospital and I was just simply assessing the patient in a home based setting. I am a full time nurse and there is also a part time nurse (two days a week) with me. I had her speak to my supervisor and the situation was resolved.

[Meriwhen, ASN, BSN, MSN, RN]

A non-nurse or LVN can supervise you, but only in an administrative capacity.

In a clinical capacity, however, your supervisor has to be a RN. IMO, this is where this event falls, because it involves direct patient care. I agree with elkpark's advice.