What are you allowed to do without doctors orders?

Hi again,

I'm trying to get a feel for nursing and have been asking loads of questions! What tasks does a RN perform that does not require a Dr's order? Will the doctor specify what route a medication should be given, what time if should be given etc, or is it up to the nurse to plan these things? What about inserting catheters? Is that by Dr. order? Will the doctor tell you how many times you should assess a patient during 24 hours or is that something a nurse decides based on intial assessment? Do you call the Dr for any change in a patient?

What are some skills/errors you have made a mistake with during your clinicals? Do you ever get other nurses to double check your drug calculations?

Thanks again!! :balloons:

Rhonda

[ukstudent]

Drug orders should always be written with pt, type, amount, route, time. The 5 rights. You will learn this during nursing school. Nursing judgement comes in with prn meds.

You will also learn about protocols. In some areas of nursing there are pre-written orders that nurses can follow without a Dr actually seeing and writing orders for that pt. Such as in the ER, if a pt comes in with chest pain. 2 IV's are placed, blood is taken and a 12 lead EKG is done within minutes of arrival.

I hope this has helped. Double check drug calculations on high risk meds is a good thing and should be done.

[Daytonite, BSN, RN]

will the doctor specify what route a medication should be given, what time if should be given etc? yes. this is by state law

what about inserting catheters? is that by dr. order? yes. this is by state law

will the doctor tell you how many times you should assess a patient during 24 hours or is that something a nurse decides based on intial assessment? it is based upon state and federal law, facility policy and nursing standards of care.

do you call the dr for any change in a patient? absolutely

do you ever get other nurses to double check your drug calculations? yes. it is often a facility policy.

i think you should read the information on nursing on these websites since it is has been written for people who are comtemplating a career in nursing. many of your questions will be answered there:

• http://www.discovernursing.com/
  
• http://www.choosenursing.com/
  
• http://www.gem-nursing.org/
  
• http://www.nln.org/careers/resources.htm
  
• http://stats.bls.gov/oco/ocos083.htm