Nurse refuses student inhaler during asthma attack

[AnneD]

162. It is true....

that the CNA also practices under the RN's License and the RN is ultimately responsible should there be a problem (the highest level of licensure). It was this way in New Mexico, and Texas as I believe it is in most states. This is a popular meme because it is true. Hospital and Doc's get a pass by blaming it on the Nurse in hospital and Nursing Home settings.

When we worded the law recent state about lay people giving insulin in public schools, we spoke with numerous lawyers about RN delegation authority. We (Nurses) were required to teach assigned people to give insulin. We inserted language in the law that ultimately allowed Nurses not to certify lay people to give insulin because they WERE practicing under the RN's license. This provided an escape clause of sorts for nurses-which I use all the time. Those that I have to train do not want the responsibility and I don't want to place the students in harms way. And I certainly did not want to be the first test case of the well meaning but poorly thought out law.

Edited to add: please know your scope of practice laws. Read them and know them by heart. I have met many a RN, LVN, and CMA that knew just enough to get themselves in trouble with their respective boards. Remember those laws are to protect the public, not the licensed professional. Failure to abide by those rules get your license revoked.