How to protect my license in SNF?

Nurses New Nurse

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So I'm supposed to start working at SNF in couple of days. Well, part of me was excited and other part of me was nervous. As the first day gets closer, part of me that is nervous is getting bigger :(

One of a nurse who used to do Medicare checks for facility told me to be careful and protect my license. She said when SNF gets written up by the State, they blame the nurse for it (instead of the internal system that might have led to an incident) and fire the nurse. In turn your license might be at risk.

Can you please give me some advise what's look for in protecting my license? I'm sure I make some mistakes as a new grad RN with not enough orientations, but as long as I follow the facility's procedures, I should be fine right?

My goal is to gain valuable experiences and pay checks to pay for my RN-BSN so that I can move on to more acute setting in a year.

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Specializes in Gerontology, Med surg, Home Health.

Don't listen to that nurse. Usually in a good company, no one gets fired if the state finds something wrong. If anyone, it's the DNS who gets fired. Unless you've abandoned patients or done something really egregious, your license will be safe.

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Specializes in Cardiac Care.

As long as you personally follow policy and do NOT cut corners and do not intentionally hurt or neglect a resident, as long as you maintain your practice within the Board of Nursing's scope related to your skills, and do not practice outside that scope, or under the influence of drugs or alcohol.... then you will not lose your license just because you work in a SNF.

If the state finds deficiencies then the facility gets dinged... not you personally.

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Thanks. I figured as long as I don't break HIPPA regulations or practice outside of my scope, I will be fine, but she got me scared...

And unlike hospital where all nurses are protected by the union, SNF nurses are just independent license worker and I felt vulnerable.

I don't think SNF will have any for me so I better look into getting my own :(

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Specializes in Gerontology, Med surg, Home Health.

Again......a union will NOT protect your license from being taken away. It might be able to prevent you from being fired, but if you are unsafe and the disciplinary process has been followed, you can still be fired.Not all hospitals have unions. Not all SNFs are union free. Losing your job is NOT the same thing as losing your license. Why don't you get a copy of your state's Nurse Practice Act and read it thoroughly. It might give some some piece of mind.

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