Why?

Pagandeva

I've worked flu clinics, some of them for the same employer as one of your's, and have never had to have an RN along to do the screening. I guess it is just a difference in the rules in different states. Seems rather backward. All I have to do is to go down the checklist with the patient, ask them the question, and give or refuse to give and refer to private MD based on their answers to the questions. We were also advised that when we had any doubts, do not administer the vaccination, but direct the client to their own doctor. If they had to have RNs along to do this chore, the flu clinics wouldn't get done. Most of the flu clinic nurses are LVNs. Oh well.

It is strange to me, because both, the agency as well as my main job are in the same state, but have different rules. The only way I can see it making sense at my clinic for an RN to assess before giving a flu shot is a walk in patient who did not come to see a doctor, but just to have his yearly flu vaccine. Otherwise, if there is a doctor's order, I see no restrictions. I swear, it is the ANA trying to have the foothole over LPNs by saying that the RN makes an assessment. Really, really silly. We do also work under the auspice of the doctor, PA, dentist, NP, etc. In that case, THEY are making the assessments.

I have turned people away from getting flu shots at the flu clinics. Outside of having epinepherine and doing CPR, there isn't much we can do for them in case of emergency.

In med-surg at my hospital, most times, PRNs are given freely, mainly because when an LPN tells an RN that a patient has pain, they are too busy to be bothered. They will check the MAR later, then say that it was administered and I am sure numbers and data is made up for their 'assessment'. Heck, that is the real world at my side of the earth.