CNA scope of practice

Nov 15, 2008 09:39 AM

by alphamale

Good day all. I am new here and this is my first post/question.I am a healthcare recruiter and currently I have an RN working a contract in rural New Mexico. This is a small facility with mimimal staff. The director or the L&D unit is asking that the RN sign off on a CNA assessment of newborns (both initial and follow up assessments) I know that these assessments are not withing the CNA scope of practice and that this is a duty only to be performed by licenced professionals. I have been unable to locate the specific legal documentation or regulation which restricts this practice to only licenced professionals in the state of New Mexico.
If anyone could direct me to where I can locate this regulation, it would be greatly appreciated. Thank you in advance.

*suzanne4* · Nov 15, 2008, 10:06 AM

Re: CNA scope of practice

All assessments must be done by a licensed nurse. It is not acceptable for it to be done by a CNA. And it is actually to be done by an RN at least once per shift.

Assessments are the function of the RN and they must be done by the RN, especially even more so on a newborn. The RN should be completing the assessment, as it is required to be done by an RN. What is written in the actual Policy and Procedure manual of this facility? I can almost state without any hesitation that there is no mention of the CNA doing an assessment.

And this manager should be very aware of this requirement. Are they actually an RN?

There is no way that any RN should be put in this position and told to sign off on an assessment done by a CNA. Too many things can get missed and this is their license at stake.

*suzanne4* · Nov 15, 2008, 10:12 AM

Re: CNA scope of practice

I just went and had a look at the Regulations for the BON for NM. Please go to the section called Rules and go to #8. You will see it specifically state Licensed Personnel under assessment.

Scarier thought to me is if this manager is wanting the CNA to do the assessments, what else is she passing over to be done by someone that is not licensed and does not have assessment skills?

jess1983_LPN · Nov 15, 2008, 12:28 PM

Re: CNA scope of practice

I agree with suzanne 4

PsychNurseWannaBe · Nov 15, 2008, 05:43 PM

Re: CNA scope of practice

Originally Posted by alphamale

Good day all. I am new here and this is my first post/question.I am a healthcare recruiter and currently I have an RN working a contract in rural New Mexico. This is a small facility with mimimal staff. The director or the L&D unit is asking that the RN sign off on a CNA assessment of newborns (both initial and follow up assessments) I know that these assessments are not withing the CNA scope of practice and that this is a duty only to be performed by licenced professionals. I have been unable to locate the specific legal documentation or regulation which restricts this practice to only licenced professionals in the state of New Mexico.
If anyone could direct me to where I can locate this regulation, it would be greatly appreciated. Thank you in advance.

Your RN should be very careful here. Once they initial as a co-signer or counter signer, they may be held liable. By signing off, they are stating that they agree with the "assessment"...which was performed by a UAP.

I would bet the manager knows exactly what he or she is doing and prefers to do it this way because it is cheaper. I have seen this done in other specialities and in my state it is illegal.

I have only co-signed on a few occasions. The way I see it, is if I didn't assess with my own two eyes, I'm not going to initial. You never know when it might go to court. That's my

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CNA scope of practice

CNA scope of practice

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