What is the best response of the new graduate nurse under this situation?

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A RN, who is not familiar with unit policies and procedures approaches a new graduate nurse and requests her to access a patient's central line. The new graduate nurse has not yet achieved competence in this clinical skill. What is the best response of the new graduate nurse or what is her best action under this situation?

Thank you very much for anyone who can help me~~

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Specializes in Oncology/Haemetology/HIV.

Explain this to the RN and show him/her where they can access the policy.

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Grab a senior nurse or clinical nurse for the new grads, clinical nurse for the ward or your mentor, do not go ahead without someone supervising.

What you tell her/him is this....That would be great, but as yet I have not attended a cvc line at this hospital/done one as yet, can you tell me who is the best person to grab at this time to show me!

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Specializes in Critical Care Nursing.

As always if you dont know what to do DONT. Unfortunately as a new grad you are in an unequal power relationship however you will need to stand your ground. Explain politely you are unsure of what to do however are happy to do so with instruction.

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Specializes in Operating Room Nursing.

My advice is to always be honest and say something like 'I'd love to do this but I'm not very confident at doing this yet, would you mind supervising me?'. This shows that you're being responsible by not putting a patient at risk of harm because you're not competent with central lines, and also demonstrates that you are keen to master new skills.

Of course you always get the grumpy/overworked nurse with the bad attitude towards new grads but as long as you show that you are willing to learn then you should be fine.

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Specializes in CTICU.

Tell her you can't do something you're not signed off for, but you'd love to watch while she does it.

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