How to Answer Question on Renewal Form

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Specializes in Oncology (OCN).
How to Answer Question on Renewal Form

I have a question.  I'm in the process of renewing my RN license with the state of Texas.  I've been on SSDI since July 2020, having had Covid with respiratory failure and severe cytokine storm. More than likely I'm permanently disabled but I do hold out hope I'll be able to use my license one day maybe for technical writing or perhaps to return to work in some non-clinical role.  (I did it once before after 11 years of disability for CRPS so nothing is impossible!)

Anyway, one of the questions is:  Have you practiced nursing by using your nursing knowledge, skills and abilities within the past four (4) years?  Indicate the month and year that you last practiced as a Registered Nurse.

How do I answer this?  Can I legally answer yes?  I have not been compensated or signed my RN after my name since July 2020.

 However, I technically use my skills all the time-I access/de-acess my port monthly for infusions.  I give myself biologic injections weekly.  I set up my husband, my dad, and my medications bi-monthly.  I help my dad with his disbetic care.  I do my dad's wound care from his recent big toe amputation.  I help take him to his appointments and do his advocating.  (Not to mention my own advocating.)  I am currently helping provide hospice care for my husband's uncle who has metastatic pancreatic cancer including administering Morphine & Ativan through subcutaneous ports.  So, yes I am using my nursing knowledge.  But I'm not being compensated or signing anything as RN.  So thoughts on this?  I definitely don't want to end up in trouble with the BON down the road but I also don't want to inactivate my license. (I did that last time and it was a huge pain to reactivate it.)

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Specializes in Complex pedi to LTC/SA & now a manager.

Well I was curious and found this....

https://www.BON.texas.gov/pdfs/Renewal FAQs - Current Practice and Refresher Course Questions.pdf

You are not required to be paid for nursing services.  See page 2 so you can answer yes per the FAQ put forth by the TX BON linked above (current as of November 2024)

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Specializes in Oncology (OCN).
JustBeachyNurse said:

Well I was curious and found this....

https://www.BON.texas.gov/pdfs/Renewal FAQs - Current Practice and Refresher Course Questions.pdf

You are not required to be paid for nursing services.  See page 2 so you can answer yes per the FAQ put forth by the TX BON linked above (current as of November 2024)

Thank you!  This is exactly what I was looking for but couldn't find!  

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Specializes in Leadership, Psych, HomeCare, Amb. Care.

It sounds to me that you are indeed practicing nursing.

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Specializes in Physiology, CM, consulting, nsg edu, LNC, COB.

There are many ways to practice as a nurse, I.e., using nursing skills, judgment, teaching among them; not all resemble what the popular conception of nursing is. "Skills" are mostly, though not always, tasks (ask anybody who asks "What can an RN/LPN/EMS/CNA do that (same list, different order) can't do?” — they're almost always focused on things like any kind of intubation, administering meds IV, using certain types of equipment…). 
"Judgment" is different. Most states require only RNs to develop and deliver/delegate and evaluate plans of care, and hold them legally responsible for this. Likewise much of the teaching aspects in plans of care, beyond the simple manipulative components. 
And that's not even beginning to scratch the surface of work that requires nursing expertise and judgment but never involves so much as handwashing. Think care management, nurse legal consulting, teaching, public advocacy... all that counts.
Looked at in that way, you have certainly been practicing as a nurse. Go forth. 

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