Suturing

Elvish, BSN, DNP, RN, NP · Dec 17, 2014

I don't know about in hospital settings, but I used to work in a community health center with FNPs and PNPs who sutured minor lacs all the time.

allnurses Guide · Dec 17, 2014

I suture whenever needed in my primary care office.

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cayenne06, MSN, CNM · Dec 17, 2014

As long as you are trained and (if applicable) credentialed at your facility, it is well within APRN scope to suture.

There are very few tasks that APRNs aren't "allowed" to do. Most everything is fair game, provided we have the necessary training and are authorized to perform the skill/procedure in the facility we work at. And the reverse is equally true- something may be soundly within your scope of practice, but you should not perform the skill unless you are fully competent.

NICUmiiki, DNP, NP · Dec 17, 2014

The FNPs in my ER do plenty of sutures.

Riburn3, BSN, MSN, APRN, NP · Dec 18, 2014

Suturing is absolutely within our scope of practice. It was one of the first skills I was taught in my FNP program. If you ever plan to work a fast track ER, urgent care, or even just a plain outpatient clinic, it's a useful skill to have and maintain.

cayenne06, MSN, CNM · Dec 19, 2014

If you ever plan to work a fast track ER, urgent care, or even just a plain outpatient clinic, it's a useful skill to have and maintain.

It's also one of the most immediately gratifying skills to have. While I always prefer to NOT have to suture my patients (I am a student CNM), it is very satisfying when you get everything back to where it's supposed to be.

I get a lot of professional satisfaction in doing tasks that require a high degree of technical knowledge and psychomotor skill. I enjoy it :)

PatMac10,RN, RN · Dec 19, 2014

All the FNP schools I'm applying to teach basic suturing and other minor office procedures as a part of the curriculum. I see FNPs in our ER and urgent cares suture all of the time. I know some FNPs who don't suture simply because they don't like to and haven't done it since school, but they could if they wanted to and maintained their competence.

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MikeFNPC, MSN · Dec 19, 2014

Absolutely suturing is within an NP's scope of practice. That being said, many didn't want to perform the task at some of my clinical sites. I jumped right in without a problem. If it's a confidence issue, get some materials and practice.

allnurses Guide · Dec 19, 2014

many didn't want to perform the task at some of my clinical sites.

Many don't because it is a big liability.

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automotiveRN67 · Dec 21, 2014

Suturing is within anyone's scope of practice, provided the hospital or clinic has a policy (I guess we had a policy). I worked in many cath labs and EP labs where I sutured, as an RN, and so did many of our CV techs.

In a private office, it is within the NP scope of practice.

JeanettePNP, MSN, RN, NP · Jan 4, 2015

We had a suturing workshop in NP school but I didn't have an opportunity to practice the skill in clinicals. During my ER rotation they mostly used glue. In my workplace suturing doesn't come up.