Driving home last night, after working three straight shifts in the ER, I saw a two-car accident. I noticed that the police and fire department had arrived but no paramedics. I was very tempted to just stay out of it to be honest. But I pulled over anyways and asked if they needed medical assistance. No one was seriously hurt, thankfully. And five minutes after I pulled over the paramedics arrived.
This morning at our monthly RN brunch party, however, I was very surprised to hear more than half of my nurse friends say they would have just kept on driving, especially after a long and exhausting day.
I think I would stop depending on the situation. If I witnessed the event and no EMS was there yet, I would stop. If EMS was already there, I would most likely keep going. My husband is a sheriff's deputy and had to stop on the freeway last week because he drove up to a car vs. motorcycle accident where the motorcyclist was thrown off his bike and ended up laying in the middle of the slow lane. He was off duty but he stayed until EMS was on the scene. I think law enforcement officers are more obligated to stop and help.
I witnessed a horrible accident once. I was a first responder. Once the police and paramedics arrived I left. I don't see that you did anything wrong. I personally would only stop if there were not any PD or paramedics on the scene.
At my last job, one of the nurses died trying to provide care at the scene of a roadside accident when a gawking onlooker wasn't paying attention to where he was going and ran her over. We are just not trained to be first responders (or at least I'm not). There is also no big flashing ambulance for me to stand behind so I don't get run down.
I'm in nursing school and while encouraged to stop (especially if no other responders are there) we were advised that once we do we have to stay on scene until someone "higher up" arrives. In which we can transfer care and rid ourselves of the liability. If we leave we can get nailed with abandonment. Although in my state we are protected under the Good Samaritan Law as well so we can't get sued for the care we given in an emergent situation.
Specializes in Complex pedi to LTC/SA & now a manager.
As a nursing student you are essentially on the same level as a bystander with a cpr card. You are not licensed as a nurse or certified as an EMT, first responder or paramedic. Most police officers are certified as first responders so they can legally & ethically relieve you and take over.
You legally have no obligation to stop as a nursing student. Calling 911 is the best choice.
I worked as an EMT for over a decade. I've seen untrained (as in not trained in field EMS or as a first responder) nurses, students and eve. Physicians become more of a hindrance than a help. Police, fire & EMS are trained in incident command and scene triage. Very few nursing students or nurses have said training. I've seen hospital staffers argue with the triage officer over a triage tag as field triage is not the same as ED or nursing triage especially if multiple victims at a scene.
People watch too much tv and think cars are going to explode and move accident victims without proper cspine or extrication precautions.
That said come on an accident an you witnessed or no one one scene: call 911.
Police and/or fire on scene: keep going they are trained first responders.
Police & EMS on scene let the professionals do their job. You move on and stop holding up traffic gawking at the car wreck & move on.
I do keep my first aid bag in my car but no if the police and/or fire dept is there, I keep going.
The 'rule' in nursing school made me chuckle. We had a super nurse (student) who would frequently stop and "rescue" the people who were already being helped with licensed help. A few of us would joke that if it were us needing assistance, let us die if she showed up.
I'll stop if no ems/fire on hand. Scene safety is a big deal so that factors into decision. Have jump kit/o2 in car I'll do straight up bls, don't identify myself as a nurse.
I agree with the consensus- if police and fire on scene, no I wouldn't stop.
I drive a long way to and from work in a rural area, so I've thought about this quite a bit. Yes, I would stop and render necessary aid if no police/fire/ems on scene. I do carry gloves and a CPR shield in my glove box.
Ruas61, BSN, RN
1,368 Posts
If the police and fire department are there, no need for me to get involved.
If I come on an accident fresh, I will call 911 at the very least.
If it safe for me to assist, I will do so but will be very conservative in what I might do. CPR yes, basic stabilization but not much more.
I tend not to identify myself as a nurse in public situations.