Several of my non nurse friends are working as overnight sitters. IT is a low stress job. I am wondering if I can do this even though I have an RN license? The companies aroung here also hire CNAs. Am I allowed to do that job? I am in Maryland.
At some point if I let my renewal of my RN license lapse will I be able to do a CNA job or are you always denied these positions by having an RN license. Its seems unfair to me.
Thanks for any input, I am looking for a low stress part time thing.
of course a RN can work as a sitter (each state's definition of what a sitter is could be differ though), heck someone with NO medical degree/certification/license can be a sitter. the only time a person has to have a specific degree/certification/license is when the payor (medicaid, medicare, private insurance, etc) requires it.
I think a lot of these people who are answering this question are not understanding what the question is regarding. It all has to do with the liability of the RN. Once an RN and you hold an active license you are responsible for all things an RN would be responsible for. If the patient goes south you could be held liable even if you were “just a sitter” because you will be held to the level of your practice.
On 3/6/2010 at 5:31 PM, nursel56 said:
Why can't an RN work as a CNA? (assuming he or she is paid the CNA wage) Are the states afraid she might accidentally start an IV? Seems to me that if you know your scope of practice as an RN, it wouldn't be too hard to figure out what not to do when you're working as a CNA. The only difference I can see is that they get the RN assessment skills for free, in that the RN-working-as-aide might pick up on something in the course of performing CNA duties and refer it to the RN responsible for her pt sooner than someone without that education.
Help me understand, because I probably am missing a crucial concept here. . .:) TIA
Specializes in Peds/outpatient FP,derm,allergy/private duty.
1 hour ago, Denise Ridlon said:
I think a lot of these people who are answering this question are not understanding what the question is regarding. It all has to do with the liability of the RN. Once an RN and you hold an active license you are responsible for all things an RN would be responsible for. If the patient goes south you could be held liable even if you were “just a sitter” because you will be held to the level of your practice.
As a matter of fact, I've done quite a bit of research on this topic in the 10+ years since this thread was posted here on allnurses, and I haven't seen any statutory or regulatory basis for the "liability of the RN".
I would assume that if there is a liability of the RN, there would be a corresponding liability for the facility who is requiring the RN to work as a sitter or a CNA, and they generally operate on the advice of their legal counsel to avoid being sued, and many nurses are asked to work in a capacity beneath their license, based on how many post questions about it.
I'm not saying you are wrong, but if there is "liability", it has to be based on some type of law or rule that is binding on the matter. Considering that the Boards of Nursing of each state operate independently, please tell me on what authority are you basing your comments about the "liability of the RN"?
Denise Parker
1 Post
I think a lot of these people who are answering this question are not understanding what the question is regarding. It all has to do with the liability of the RN. Once an RN and you hold an active license you are responsible for all things an RN would be responsible for. If the patient goes south you could be held liable even if you were “just a sitter” because you will be held to the level of your practice.
You are