Tag Archive for 'nursing roles'

Nurse’s Role in Prescriptions

Published
by
admin
on March 9, 2010
in Nursing Education
. 0 Comments

i_pharmacist_femleI remember learning as a nursing student, that if a physician makes an error in prescribing a medication (name, dosage… handwriting) and a nurse administers that medication to the patient, the nurse is held responsible for the error. The math just did not add up.  Physicians have to go to school for at least six years before they can prescribe meds and their total education is closer to twelve.

My BSN program, when all was said in done came out to about four and a half years (with required summer courses). A BSN program typically includes a massive amount of pharmacology and medication training as reflected by all the medication questions on the NCLEX licensing exam. But, I still was left wondering how nurses are supposed to be able to spot a medication error unless we know everything that the prescribing doctor knows about meds.

I soon learned, once on the floor, that the best ways to avoid a problem are to have a current drug reference on hand and to always, always, always ask the doctor if you have any questions or doubts.  As a night shift nurse this took a bit of courage to wake up a physician at three in the morning – but it sure beats being named in a malpractice lawsuit and even more importantly risking a human life.

As reported by the May 5th Oregonian, there is apparently some controversy brewing in Oregon, where the state legislature is debating whether psychologists, who lack the same amount of training as physicians, should be allowed to prescribe “the most dangerous and lethal pharmaceuticals” to patients. The bill does include certain restrictions regarding psychotropic medications (ex. antidepressants, anti-psychotics).

I should note that physicians are not the only one authorized to prescribe medications. This privilege also is extended to doctors of osteopathy, nurse practitioners and physician assistants. Psychologists in America, at this point, do not have universal prescribing privileges – only some are given permission to dole out the meds.

In the meantime, Oregon House Bill 2702, according to recent reporting, is currently stalled in the Oregon house pending review of a medical task force later this year.

Nursing Role Extends Beyond Bedside

Published
by
admin
on September 22, 2009
in Nursing Career
. 0 Comments

i_nurse_geriatricsThe most important role of the nurse will always be at the bedside. That is, as long as people continue getting sick and needing hands on, direct, skilled, compassionate care.

Since I do not see illness and injury becoming extinct anytime soon, I think it is safe to say that the principles of patient care passed on for generations by the original “lady with the lamp” Florence Nightingale, will continue to remain at the core of nursing education.

The face of health care, however, is changing as the field and everyone in it attempts to accommodate the expanding needs of hospital systems, communities, patient populations such as baby boomers and politicians seeking a solution to allow all their constituents access to care.

Nurses, often seen as central, unifying figures in health care, have more flexibility in their role than ever before.  In addition to their bedside roles, nurses can now seek out opportunities in public health, wellness and preventative medicine, and continuing education among many other areas of health care. As nurses strike out in new and exciting directions, many of their conventional roles are being taken over by LPN’s, certified nurse’s aides and other patient care assistants.

Due to the growing shortage of physicians, nurses may also want to seriously consider furthering their education and becoming nurse practitioners. Physician assistants and nurse practitioners are doing their part to assist with the shortage of doctors. Both PA’s and NP’s can perform nearly all of the primary patient care functions (including prescribing medications) that traditionally required a physician.

To succeed in the rapidly evolving fields of nursing and health care overall, new nurses need to be as educated, multi-faceted and flexible as humanly possible. This is especially true when looking at a national patient population that runs the full spectrum of health care needs.

Some patients place alternative medicine and wellness at the top of their list of health care priorities, while others are adamant about receiving the latest treatments, most high tech diagnostics and best pharmaceuticals that their insurance can buy. Even Florence Nightingale may have found it challenging to keep up with the diverse needs of a diverse patient population.