Employer requires out of state calls without licensure

[emeraldga]

I am a RN and work for a large insurance company doing telephonic disease management. They require me to call members outside the state of georgia, even though I am not licensed in other states. This is illegal - right? I'm not sure how they are getting around this, but none of the other nurses have refused except me. So far, I've refused to call any member outside the state of georgia. Am I out of bounds on this, or should I hold my ground and continue to refuse?

[eltrip]

Check with the Georgia board of nursing. They would have the final say as to the legality of this practice. Get their opinion in writing and bring a copy of it to your employer. You might even want to check with the legal department where you work, just in case.

Georgia's BON website: http://www.sos.state.ga.us/plb/rn/

Good luck!

[crtriage]

I am a RN and work for a large insurance company doing telephonic disease management. They require me to call members outside the state of georgia, even though I am not licensed in other states. This is illegal - right? I'm not sure how they are getting around this, but none of the other nurses have refused except me. So far, I've refused to call any member outside the state of georgia. Am I out of bounds on this, or should I hold my ground and continue to refuse?

You're absolutely right... When you take a call from a patient in another state (or place a call to that patient), you are practicing in the state the patient is in (KY and NH have told me that they don't require nurses taking calls in their state to have a license in their state, but they're the only two). To date, 18 states have enacted the compact (http://www.ncsbn.org), but until your home state passes it, you are still at risk when you practice (talk to patients) in other states.

While one respondent suggested you contact the GA Board of Nursing (BON), I think it's important to keep in mind that jurisdiction for the calls you're concerned about rests with the BON of the state the patient is calling from... not the GA BON. Thus, the ultimate authority to respond to your question would be the BON of the state you're calling.

However, interaction with the GA BON to encourage them to pass the interstate compact (and see what you can do to help with this effort) would be most appropriate. In addressing this issue, some organizations have purchased out of state licenses for nurses who are required to take out of state calls. If you or your administrators would like to discuss this with me directly, please don't hesitate to email... and we can set up a time to talk on the phone if you wish.

Yes, you're on the right track. Good job!

Carol Rutenberg, RNC, MNSc