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!
I'd check with your state BON first. It seems like a liability to me. Since it's a neighbor/acquaintance, what's to keep them from suing you if she develops an infection, abscess, or if it hurt too much:uhoh3:
Yup, i would definitely say that she had told grandma ahead of time that the nurse next door would do the shot, which means that she would be most comfortable telling everyone else what a good nurse you are and how eager you are to help. you would have become dr.quinn around your town before you know what hit you. over a measly b12 that could've waited anyway. going with your gut--always the right answer.
I think you handled this very well. It would have made a difference to me if it were a life-threatening emergency, but I sure wouldn't give anyone but my immediate family a B-12 injection. Besides, my employer's Liability Insurance sure wouldn't cover me.
that is funny, I actually had a neighbor tell someone moving into the neighborhood, that they were lucky because I was nurse and if they had a problem they just had to come over to my house. I looked at the neighbor and told her that it was better that if they had a problem they really needed to go see there doctor, but if they had an emergency, then I would help by calling 911 for them and staying there until the paramedics came. why do people assume that? I do not mind helping, but people are always asking for medical advise when they find out that you are a nurse. and if they do not like the advise or something goes wrong then they get mad at you. I know that I will get negative and postives from this. so be it.:trout:
that is funny, I actually had a neighbor tell someone moving into the neighborhood, that they were lucky because I was nurse and if they had a problem they just had to come over to my house. I looked at the neighbor and told her that it was better that if they had a problem they really needed to go see there doctor, but if they had an emergency, then I would help by calling 911 for them and staying there until the paramedics came. why do people assume that? I do not mind helping, but people are always asking for medical advise when they find out that you are a nurse. and if they do not like the advise or something goes wrong then they get mad at you. I know that I will get negative and postives from this. so be it.:trout:
I agree with you. I don't like it when people start asking questions. I'd rather they didn't know I was a nurse.
Specializes in LTC,SNF,acute,HH,cty health ,clinic,ER..
I worked very hard for my license and I would never do anything, including this, to risk losing it. I wouldn't do this for anyone but my spouse, children and my parents. Maybe the daughter could be explained how to give the shot.
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
As a Home Health Public Health Nurse of 46 years of nursing experience, here is my viewpoint. Once a line is crossed, it's easier to do it again, and you could be in trouble with your license. If you are as codependant as I've been, here are some suggestions:
Call her physician's office, and get a faxed order, then fax it to a physician in your state who you know well, and ask if he'd cover the order. If he/she says no, as the patient hasn't been seen by him/her, ask if a detailed history would help, and ask the neighbor if she's willing to be seen by a physician nearby, if the answer's negative and get her written permission allowing her out of state MD to give the info to the one in your state.
Once you get the written authorization, be sure to keep a record of your nursing plan and actions and send it to the physician(s) involved, with the
written permission of the patient for you to do that.
As an ethical person, you know you should not administer any drug by any means, without the specific order of a doctor in the state in which you're licensed to work. You wouldn't have asked the question, if you really thought it was OK. You need to sleep at night.......no pharmacist would fill a prescription without proper authorization.
I'd also go on line, to see if Vitamin B 12 is recommended for the illness ahe says is being treated- IN FACT, THAT'S THE FIRST THING I'D DO. Often the vitamin is used as a placebo, which means that she can wait until she gets back home. Not that I approve of that needless expense - most insurance companies see through that.
I worked very hard for my license and I would never do anything, including this, to risk losing it. I wouldn't do this for anyone but my spouse, children and my parents. Maybe the daughter could be explained how to give the shot.
teaching family to give an injection, without a physician's order specific to the medication to be administered, is the same as giving it yourself!
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.
Your response shocks me! Where are the ethics you should have learned in Nursing School? Think not of the possible complications, but of the oath to serve according to the law!
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.
As a Nurse practising 46 years in several states and Canada, in some positions educating nurses, I'd suggest that you review the Nurse Practise Act again, and contact your former nursing professor(s) for their opinions. As a new grad, sometimes things look more simple than they are.
You may be confusing professional acts with those of a "good samaritan". You may only be protected by the good samaritan laws if it is a true emergency.
rktele
18 Posts
I'd check with your state BON first. It seems like a liability to me. Since it's a neighbor/acquaintance, what's to keep them from suing you if she develops an infection, abscess, or if it hurt too much:uhoh3: