CVME Insider: Nursing Knowledge That Matters

Why RNs Must Be Present in the OR – California Law & Patient Safety 🩺 Why RNs Must Be Present in the OR: A Legal and Ethical Priority Across California—and especially here in the Central Valley—we’ve seen a concerning trend: freestanding surgery centers and pain clinics allowing LVNs (Licensed Vocational Nurses) to manage operating rooms during procedures involving conscious sedation. This practice isn’t just risky—it’s illegal and unsafe. California law is clear: a Registered Nurse (RN) must be physically present in the OR at all times during procedures involving conscious sedation or anesthesia. Delegating this role to an LVN not only endangers patients but also jeopardizes the LVN’s license and the facility’s legal standing. 📜 What the Law Says The California Board of Registered Nursing (BRN) states: “The administration and monitoring of moderate sedation requires ongoing nursing assessment and critical decisio...

You're Not a Trauma or Pediatric Hospital? That’s Exactly Why You Should Be Prepared. Let’s talk about something that’s been making me absolutely nuts —and if you’re a fellow ED nurse, I know you’ll feel this in your bones. I’ve had far too many conversations with Emergency Department Directors, Nurse Managers, and even CNOs who push back when I ask why their staff aren’t required to have TNCC or ENPC certification. The answers? “We’re not a trauma center.” “We’re not a pediatric hospital.” “It’s the cost…” Let me be crystal clear: that is exactly why your staff need this training. You’re not a trauma center. You’re not a pediatric hospital. So what happens when a multi-system trauma patient rolls into your adult-only ED? Or when a critically ill child is brought to your doors because the parents panicked and went to the nearest hospital—not the “right” one? Are you really going to tell the parents of a seizing 2-year-old, “So...