Are You a Nurse in Violation of the Scope of Practice?

 Posted on November 13,2018 in Nursing License Defense

Nursing requires flexibility, empathy, and the ability to think on one’s feet. Nurses who are self-starters are often highly praised. However, these attributes are a double-edged sword and can result in a nurse’s license being placed in jeopardy due to the scope of practice violations.

A nurse’s scope of practice must always be adhered to, and failure to do so can mean that the board of nursing will get involved. It is never permissible to operate outside of your scope of practice even if it is customary on your floor or office or if you are certain that you can get a doctor will later approve your actions.

There are several categories of nurses: registered nurses (RNs), licensed practical/vocational nurses (LPN/VNs) and advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs). Each group has a scope of practice delineated under Illinois law.

For example, an RN’s scope of practice includes:

• Evaluating a patient’s health status and monitoring any changes to that status;
• Establishing a nursing care plan that dovetails with the overarching health care plan of the patient;
• Dispensing medication or directing the dispensing of medication by proper personnel;
• Advocating for patients;
• Discussing the patient’s treatment and cooperating with other health care providers;
• Assessing the effectiveness of treatment; and
• Drafting policies, procedures, and systems to support patient safety.

There is also a catchall provision for any activity “requiring a like skill level for which the registered professional nurse is properly trained.”

It should be noted that the scope of practice is not based on whether there is payment for services performed by the nurse. A nurse can be outside of his or her scope of practice for services volunteered or for services provided to friends or family in a non-clinical setting.

Contact an Illinois Nursing License Defense Attorney

If you are accused or believe you will be accused of acting outside the scope of your practice, you should contact an attorney as quickly as possible. It is important to retain the services of an Illinois nursing license defense lawyer at the outset to protect the rights you have under law.

Our license defense attorney has represented many healthcare professionals before state boards. He understands what options may be available to you and will aggressively mount a defense on your behalf after reviewing all the information the board may have in your file. Call our office today at 630-310-1267 to set up your first appointment with our firm.

Sources:

ftp://www.ilga.gov/JCAR/AdminCode/068/06801300sections.html

http://www.ilga.gov/commission/jcar/admincode/068/068013000C03600R.html