Help needed please

RE: Help needed please

Sal the 1st — Thu, 05 Jan 2017 20:41:35 GMT

[quote user="Alison Clare Hickman"]

believed me to be competent and thought "why not?". They were mortified when I said I would be risking my registration and reputation simply to help out in a staffing crisis. I felt mean but it had to be done to protect myself and my patient. If anything/everything had gone pear-shaped, I wouldn't have had a leg to stand on.

[/quote]

I think there are a lot of vets out there who genuinely either don't know or don't understand the implications for registered nurses - I know my boss doesn't. There are lots of things I have been taught to do and I have done in the past quite capably (and been asked to do since) that I wouldn't touch with a very long barge pole these days. When its my livelihood on the line sorry but no. - And that folks is progress?

RE: Help needed please

Alison Clare Hickman — Thu, 05 Jan 2017 10:12:11 GMT

Yes, the Schedule 3 information on the RCVS website will give you good information...

http://www.rcvs.org.uk/advice-and-guidance/code-of-professional-conduct-for-veterinary-surgeons/supporting-guidance/treatment-of-animals-by-unqualified-persons/

For example...

19.12 The RCVS considers that there are certain tasks that should not be delegated to unqualified members of staff; examples include intramuscular or intravenous injections, and invasive procedures such as the introduction of an IV catheter or the passage of a urinary catheter.

As does the VN Code of Professional Conduct

http://www.rcvs.org.uk/advice-and-guidance/code-of-professional-conduct-for-veterinary-nurses/

4.2 Veterinary nurses must ensure that tasks are delegated only to those who have the appropriate competence and registration.

Regards

Ali h

RE: Help needed please

WelshyNurse — Wed, 04 Jan 2017 12:38:07 GMT

I have given im injections under the vets supervision. Never iv though.

RE: Help needed please

VetNurse Anon a/c — Wed, 04 Jan 2017 12:25:01 GMT

ive just had a read of the code of conduct and it's actually got a lot of info in it regarding unqualified/ lay people so at least I've got something to back myself up with when I speak to my boss about this. They basically want me to train the person on everything including placing IVs, giving IM and IV meds and inpatient care so she can be looking after them on her own......

RE: Help needed please

Alison Clare Hickman — Wed, 04 Jan 2017 09:31:21 GMT

Hiya,

I have experienced this, and several times unfortunately. Usually because of staff shortages and/or lack of knowledge by the person asking and/or keenness of the person wanting to do the duties... all understandable but all to be avoided if risking my professional neck and the potentially safety of my patient.

One example: I very politely, (but resolutely), declined to undertake duties that were outside my remit as an RVN - this was related to the administration of incremental induction anaesthesia and without a vet on the premises. I declined this with a full explanation as to why; i.e. it wasn't just me being difficult! This was wholly accepted and the boss asking me to undertake the duties apologised for the oversight. In a (sort of) defence, they were under tremendous pressure to keep the 'boat afloat' due to severe staffing shortages and in a rush to solve the problem, believed me to be competent and thought "why not?". They were mortified when I said I would be risking my registration and reputation simply to help out in a staffing crisis. I felt mean but it had to be done to protect myself and my patient. If anything/everything had gone pear-shaped, I wouldn't have had a leg to stand on. (It may have gone well, but that really isn't the point!).

As Welshynurse asks, what have you been asked to do; and I would add, in what context?

Look after yourself and educate; and do so, as my best ever tip, "in the best possible taste!" (Kenny Everett).

RE: Help needed please

WelshyNurse — Wed, 04 Jan 2017 08:00:40 GMT

What duties have you been asked to teach?

RE: Help needed please

Kirsty RVN — Tue, 03 Jan 2017 22:48:12 GMT

Hiya

As far as I am aware you would be held accountable as a Registered nurse if you train, let or supervise unqualified staff to do any of the duties that a veterinary nurse can do under schedule three.

It also forms part of the code of professional conduct for nurses under supervision and delegation of duties to unqualified members of staff other than students.

It is illegal for any one other than a registered nurse or students under supervision to carry out any duties under schedule three and now as veterinary nurses are now regulated you would be risking your registration.