Full time NP position requires you to cover RN duties at times?

[DucatiNP]

I'm just asking because my admin sees that I have some breaks in between patients, some almost an hour long, and while I can do 'backburner' things for my clinic (my job), she wants me to go the Outpatient Medical and act as an RN when they are busy. That doesn't sit well with me.

I already brought my dissatisfaction up to her on my evaluation, she asked me, what things have you done that aren't in your job description? I mentioned the Outpatient Medical and she said 'ummm, noooooo' (I knew she wanted to say, 'It's in your job description because I said so.'

Am I just being 'spoiled' by doing only NP things, do all NP fill in for the RNs when needed? Just want to get your views.

[core0]

look at this article:

scope of practice and the nurse practitioner

http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/506277_7

i would recommend reading the whole thing, but the part you are interested in is about 1/2 way down on the page bookmarked. the situation that you are describing is exactly what the author recommends against. if you are working as an rn and a np in the same place then there is a question of which role you are in and substantial liability for both yourself and your institution. there is nothing wrong with doing a task such as starting an iv. taking an nursing assignment is what gets you into trouble.

david carpenter, pa-c