legality of supervision

DusktilDawn · Nov 15, 2005

Does anybody know anything about the laws pertaining to supervision of nurses by non-licensed personnel? Is it legal?Tolalam

In what context and what is being supervised?

Audreyfay · Nov 16, 2005

My supervisor is not a nurse. And I am an MSN. It's legal to my knowledge.

Daytonite, BSN, RN · Nov 16, 2005

Non-licensed personnel cannot supervise the nursing aspects of nursing personnel. However, they can address personnel issues such as attendance (but not unit staffing), insubordination, violation of facility employee policies, those kinds of things. Most nursing laws clearly state that the supervision of the nursing work is to be supervised by RNs.

DusktilDawn · Nov 16, 2005

Non-licensed personnel cannot supervise the nursing aspects of nursing personnel. However, they can address personnel issues such as attendance (but not unit staffing), insubordination, violation of facility employee policies, those kinds of things. Most nursing laws clearly state that the supervision of the nursing work is to be supervised by RNs.

Actually unit staffing at my facility is done by non-nursing personnel in staffing office located far away from any nursing unit, who have no concept of what goes on in regards to ANY UNIT in the hosptial. No they are not supervisors, however they seem to believe that they call all the shots in regards to how many RNs and CNAs will be staffed on any unit based on patient numbers ONLY. They have no concept of patient acuity nor how that may impact a nurse in regards to providing care. I've had to deal with these people as Charge and the arguments usually end up with me going over their heads to a House Manager in order to ensure safe staffing on the unit. Bear in mind I will also have a full patient load and this nonsense takes MY TIME AWAY from my patients.

I do agree that the supervision of patient care on an acute care unit is to be supervised by RNs. Bear in mind that LTCs and NHs may not always have an RN supervising patient care, especially on off-shifts. The OP was vague in his/her question, I have the feeling he posted in regards to a specific situation.