Collaboration-who gives us our rights?

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I am a new grad planning to do do some volunteer work in November and I don't have an agreement filed with the state (no job yet) will I be able to volunteer as an NP? I know the state dictates what my rights are but it seems that the collaborative agreement says what meds I can rx, what procedures I can do, what dx I can make, so who is really calling the shots? Like would a pharmacy fill a rx I wrote without having a collaborative agreement on file?

Would the good samaratin laws cover me against malpractice should any occur (no malpractice ins yet either)? I want to volunteer but without it possibly turning into a nightmare situation...

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Specializes in telemetry, dialysis, research.

You need to check with your state board of nursing.

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Even with volunteer work at say, a local homeless mission clinic, there should be a medical director listed. Your agreement should be with that provider listed.

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Specializes in ER; CCT.
Would the good samaratin laws cover me against malpractice should any occur (no malpractice ins yet either)? I want to volunteer but without it possibly turning into a nightmare situation...

In a word, but not a legal opinion, No.

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If your state requires a collaborative practice agreement, you cannot legally act as a nurse practitioner without one, no matter whether you are being compensated or not. It might be a good idea for you to review your state laws with someone before you do something that could get you into a lot of trouble.

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Specializes in being a Credible Source.

You also don't want to practice - volunteer or paid - without insurance, PERIOD.

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I would not consider practicing a single day, even as a volunteer, without malpractice coverage. "Good Samaritan laws" are intended to cover people in emergency situations (stopping at a roadside MVA, etc.), not making plans in advance to practice professionally in a volunteer capacity, and I certainly wouldn't depend on them to cover me in a volunteer situation. I also would not consider practicing as a volunteer without meeting all the state/regulatory requirements for my level of practice (collaborative agreement, etc.) It's just not worth the risk. As licensed professionals, working in a voluntary capacity instead of for pay doesn't excuse us from any of our professional responsibilities.

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Thanks for the great answers! You guys are great. I guess I will not serve as a volunteer until I get a little further in my career with malpractice coverage and protocols established.

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