Question:
Dear Donna,
Is a staff nurse legally allowed to insert a central umbilical line into an infant to intubate? I was told it was allowed, as long as you passed the neonatal resuscitation program class. I don't believe it is within the scope of practice for an RN, but the physician says it is. Who is correct?
Questioning
Dear Donna,
Is a staff nurse legally allowed to insert a central umbilical line into an infant to intubate? I was told it was allowed, as long as you passed the neonatal resuscitation program class. I don't believe it is within the scope of practice for an RN, but the physician says it is. Who is correct?
Questioning
Dear Donna replies:
Dear Questioning,
This is a question to be answered by your unit or facility nurse educator and in accordance with your unit or facility policies and procedures. You also can check with the entity offering the NRP certification. The physician is not the authority on nursing practice in your place of employment or in your state.
If you still have questions and concerns, I suggest you consult a nurse attorney for scope of practice advice and information. You also can check with your state chapter of the National Association of Neonatal Nurses (www.nann.org), whether or not you are a member.
Best wishes,
Donna
Dear Questioning,
This is a question to be answered by your unit or facility nurse educator and in accordance with your unit or facility policies and procedures. You also can check with the entity offering the NRP certification. The physician is not the authority on nursing practice in your place of employment or in your state.
If you still have questions and concerns, I suggest you consult a nurse attorney for scope of practice advice and information. You also can check with your state chapter of the National Association of Neonatal Nurses (www.nann.org), whether or not you are a member.
Best wishes,
Donna
Donna Cardillo, RN, MA, well-known career guru, is Nurse.com’s “Dear Donna” and author of “Your First Year as a Nurse: Making the Transition from Total Novice to Successful Professional” and “The ULTIMATE Career Guide for Nurses: Practical Advice for Thriving at Every Stage of Your Career.” Information about the books is available at www.Nurse.com/CE/7010 and www.Nurse.com/CE/7250, respectively. To ask Donna your question, go to www.Nurse.com/Asktheexperts/Deardonna. Find a “Dear Donna” seminar near you: Call 800-866-0919 or visit http://Events.nursingspectrum.com/Seminar.
