First-time Volunteer with Legal Questions!

[thebalanceline]

Hello!

I am a WA state registered RN. I am volunteering at a Summer camp, and am having trouble finding the resources for the following questions. The church is in WA, but they have decided to use a location for their camp that is in OR state. I am not licensed in OR. This camp will not have physicians or other healthcare providers on site. From my research so far, it appears that I can only provide basic first aid and adhere to the medical release forms signed by the parents as a "volunteer" and not an "RN". Because this is a church camp, there are no protocols, no orders. I am used to practicing in acute care and it just makes me a little nervous because how are you supposed to define your scope of practice? My conclusion is that, legally, I cannot even act as a practicing RN because I don't have an OR state license or protocols to guide me. So it's basic first aid. Is this correct? Thanks for any or all input.

Bee

[thebalanceline]

Also, one more thing - do I have to have a first aid card?

[Alex Egan, LPN, EMT-B]

I would advise you to consult a malpractice attorney. You need to be vary careful here. It is my belief that you will be held to the standard of your highest training (RN) no matter what role you are filling. This is complicated in that you are crossing state lines. to my understanding even though you are a volunteer you are considered an employee of whatever organization your working with, and you may or may not be covered by the good Samaritan laws

[lawrencenurse]

You would need an Oregon license to work, even as a volunteer as an RN. I work for a Massachusetts organization at their New Hampshire facility and only have to be licensed in New Hampshire. One year they accidentally paid me out of the Massachusetts office and had to reissue my paycheck because it looked like I was practicing in a state I wasn't licensed to work in. I agree with the comment that you are held to your highest license no matter what role you are filling so you can't even classify yourself as a first aider. If I were that camp, I would make it clear to parents that the staff is first aid and CPR certified but there is no nurse on site. Depending on if it is American Camping Association certified or not and the laws in a particular state they may not need a nurse and probably shouldn't take on the liability as long as its spelled out in their information to parents that they do not have one on staff.

Good luck