Hello guys!i have a question is it possible for the nursing student or agraduate student to help a person like for example you are walking or riding a bus or with your car and you see a person who is suddenly become unconsious?and you are all alone what would you do?are you going to help the person?i meant are you going to do the CPR?while waitng for the help?

That is how I understand the Good Samaritan law to work as well. If you are not sure if you should help or not, or are fearful of a lawsuit, just stay until help arrives.

thank you so much for your response!yeah your right

The Good Sam laws were enacted to protect anyone who tries to help, as long as you stay within your scope of knowlege, even if you don't have a cert.  For example, if you are not an MD don't try to trach them, because you saw it on TV.  This is precisely why the AEDs in airports and restaurants are made "Idiot proof" with pictures and talking units.  If you do not feel comfortable, you are not obligated to perform CPR.  This includes nurses, nursing students, CNAs even off duty EMS responders and MDs outside of your practice setting, but you are encouraged to at least notify EMS.  This should be taught as part of a cert.  (You will have to pass a certification before you start  clinicals).  Once you are in the hospital or ambulance, you're obligated and you may be held liable, if you are certified and don't act, unless there is a DNR order, you can be proved negligent or act outside of your scope of knowlege. 

Does that make sense?  Does anyone know of anything different?

You should not do CPR unless you have a valid AHA or Red Cross certification. But, you could find yourself in a situation that you have to do something, and 9-1-1 operators are trained to talk you through giving rescue breathing, delivering a baby, or stopping a bleed.

Many many many years ago, I took a lifeguard class. I worked at a school for young adults with what we called back then mentally retarded and emotionally disturbed. Don't worry, I was told. We've had this pool 20 years and never had a problem. And, there will always be a nurse there to help you. Great. So Day3 of lifeguard duty, the nurse fell backwards off the lifeguard stand and hit her head on the bottom of the pool. I had to pull her off the bottom and get her out of the pool, give her rescue breaths and revice her, then drive her to the hospital to get 30+ stitches in her head. I was 18 and had never done more than bandage a wound here and there. I tell you that to say that a nursing student is just as good of a nurse as the next person, and if you have the training and find yourself in a situation to act, then do so.

The other side of this is, you have to know when to get out of the way. Let's say you are at a casino and somebody goes down. No pulse, no breathing. You initiate CPR. A casino employee shows up with an AED. That employee is better qualified than you to administer the AED, because they have had training. Don't be afraid to help - pull the shirt open, dry the patient off, whatever - but let the employee take the lead. Same thing with a car wreck. EMTs show up, get out of the way when they tell you to.

A nursing school instructor that I love told us "keep the patient breathing, keep the patient safe".

I think most medical jobs require you to be bls or cpr certified these days..

Years ago I wasprotected by the good sam law...I was not even thinking of going in themedical field at that time...I pulled a child from a wreck...the truck was on fire and his father ws trapped...alot of people just stood there and watched..I couldnt!

The man suffered back injuries but because I acted???...I saved his life and I would do it again if I had to...

So angie, I think that the answer your are looking for is yes, once you have a CPR certification you can perform CPR even if you are not yet a nurse.  I have been an instructor for the AHA and the Red Cross.  The Red Cross has a course called "Friends and Families" that teaches lay responders (not medical professionals) CPR just to know it, in case they are ever in a position to help someone. 

Call your local Red Cross.  The instructors are volunteers so generally they are not very expensive.  AHA instructors can choose to set their own fee.  I have known some who make some extra money by teaching CPR.  The American Heart Association, in my experience is usually the one that hospitals want you to have.  Often hospitals and places of employment might offer it for free, within so many days of employment.   It can be kind of pricey otherwise.  Call your local chapter of either one and find out where and when the class is offered and the price.  AHA classes can often be found through ambulance companies too, so you could call there also.  You could also pay for an inexpensive Red Cross cert. you may only have to pay for the book, with a small fee tagged on for materials and then get the AHA cert for free when you get hired.

angienwgeorgia says ...

I've been an AHA instructor for 6+ yrs...................not really familiar with Red Cross guidelines.  I'm on a team to keep everybody in my facility current with their cpr cards.   smoxignal gave good advice.  Here's just a tidbit too...........................you can buy packs of mouth barriers that are small in individual wrappers.  I saw some at Walmart a while back and were cheap.  ALWAYS carry a mouth barrier in your purse/pocket.  Some people carry condoms in their wallet, I keep a mouth barrierr.   Mucus is the nastiest fluid on the planet.  Ok.............I have a fear of strange bodily fluids.  I added this post for other people with similar phobias like mine.  Have a  nice day! 

nice one angienwgergia!

LOL..Angie..good advice...I also carry mouth protectors....in my console of my vehicle and in my pocketbook...

I also have several in a first aid kit I keep in my truck...

angela101287 says ...

sis jane i have my bls card na we only pay 15box for the book and 5box for the class you can also just go in there you can rent book for dollar but depends who is going to be your instructor its also American Heart Association and they are reallly cheap.anyone can attend to this class and after 4days you will receive your card.for more info chat me in ym sis!

Where is that sis? Thank you! Chat with you soon...

kinda far sis... I'll think about it... I'll be paying for gas as well... hehe! thanks!