Would you or wouldn't you?

Nurses General Nursing

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Specializes in Surgical, orthopedics, skilled care.

This may seem like a petty issue, but....

My neighbor just called while I was napping.. so I will be calling her back. Her grandma is in from another state and needs her B-12 shot. They want to know if I will come over and give it.

I do not feel comfortable doing invasive proceedures out side of my work facility, nor without a physcians' order. For one thing, if something goes wrong (the minute chance of an abcess, etc...) I could be held responsible.

I am not comfortable with this, but my husband thinks I am over concerned. "It's just a B-12 shot, afterall!"

I can't believe that after 24 years of nursing, this is the first time I have had to deal with being asked to give a shot outside of my work facility!

What would you do?

White Shoes

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it is obviously not a petty issue to you! if you do not feel comfortable giving the shot then just explain that because of the way you are licensed it is a problem for you to be administering an injection to a patient outside of your work environment. i am not sure this helps but if you don't feel it is apprpriate ask them to call a vna or something, or volunteer to make the arrangements yourself.

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Specializes in Med/Surg, Geriatrics.

I'd give it. As long as it's understood that I'm helping a friend and not working as her personal nurse, sure I'd do it. But your concerns are not petty.

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I wouldn't do it, for liability reasons.

Actually, I think they have a lot of nerve expecting you to, obviously they didn't ask you about it in advance.

What would they do about it if they didn't have a nurse as a neighbor? That's what they need to do.

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It it were a very close friend or family member, I'd do it. Anyone else, no.

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Specializes in NICU, Infection Control.

I assume she's been getting it for a fair amount of time? And none of them knows how to give it???

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Specializes in Neuro/Med-Surg/Oncology.

No way! What if she winds up with an infection or abscess? If it was an an emergency ( i.e epi-pen or glucose tablets) that's another story. Her insurance most likely doesn't cover out of area home care and no one wants to pay for it out of pocket. It sounds like they just assumed you would do it and now put you in an awkward position.

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Just a neighbor who is an aquaintance-----no way. A close friend, yes I would, with the understanding that if an infection develops, ain't my fault.

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Specializes in IMC, ICU, Telemetry.

I don't know what state you live in, but in Texas your license wouldn't be on the line if you're giving the shot as a friend and aren't being compensated. If the shots have been prescribed to be given at home (as an insulin injection would be), it would be no different from a lay friend or family adminstering the shot. The Nurse Practice Act doesn't have jurisdiction under this circimstance.

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Specializes in Psych, Med/Surg, LTC.
It it were a very close friend or family member, I'd do it. Anyone else, no.

:yeahthat:

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I'd give it. As long as it's understood that I'm helping a friend and not working as her personal nurse, sure I'd do it. But your concerns are not petty.
Personal friends can and do get sued if something goes wrong. When you are faced with a lawsuit, the "personal friendship" disappears and fast. I definitely wouldn't do it.
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I wouldn't do it, unless it was a close family member.

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