Do I Need a Dual License

Jolie, BSN · Jun 19, 2008

Check with the Indiana BON. If they define your proposed activities as "nursing practice", then you will probably need an IN license.

I am also licensed in IL (not a compact state) and recently moved to NE. I chose not to get involved in our Parish Nurse Ministry until I obtained a NE license.

classicdame, MSN, EdD · Jun 19, 2008

Doing the tasks you described do not require a license. The liability comes in the interpretation of results. I sometimes have CNA's at health fairs and give them ADA guidelines for glucose checks and AHA for BP checks. We write down the result then let the participant decide on their own if they are outside recommended parameters. But CNA's are cautioned not to get into any conversations. Just say "read this and take the slip I gave you to your doctor". Usually no time for anything else anyway.

suzanne4, RN · Jun 19, 2008

Doing the tasks you described do not require a license. The liability comes in the interpretation of results. I sometimes have CNA's at health fairs and give them ADA guidelines for glucose checks and AHA for BP checks. We write down the result then let the participant decide on their own if they are outside recommended parameters. But CNA's are cautioned not to get into any conversations. Just say "read this and take the slip I gave you to your doctor". Usually no time for anything else anyway.

However, if the person doing the task is an RN, then they are held to a higher level and are not considered as an unlicensed person when doing this so-called task.

Health assessment requires the RN and a license to do that in the state where it is being performed.

Always better to hold a license there if you are an RN in another state.

suzanne4, RN · Jun 19, 2008

So I currently live in Indiana but I work in and hold an Illinois RN license. I am wanting to start a program in my church (also in Indiana) just doing monthly BP checks and blood glucose checks and simple health assessments for the elderly. Do I need to have a license in Indiana to do this? Any insight would be appreciated, thanks!

You are wishing to start a program based on you being an RN and having that training and experience; that is what is going to require you to hold a license where you wish to have this program set up. People are going to come to you because you are an RN, or nurse. Just for liability purposes, it would be best to have a license there.

leesespieces · Jun 22, 2008

Thanks for all your replies! I think I'll hold off until I get my IN license...always better off to have it than to not as most of you said... thanks!