IPN-requirement of being under RN supervision

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I got offered a position at an outpatient surgery center (pre/post op). I would be educating patients, going over test results, doing triage phone calls etc. The doctor and NP would be there 2 days a week when seeing patients. The rest of the week it would just be me and the receptionist and I’d be answering calls and doing paper work.

Do you think IPN would expect this? It says under direct supervision and I would be when their are patients there but not at all times. Any advice! It was so hard for me to land this position I really would be devastated if I couldn’t because of this ?

Specializes in Med/Surg, Women's Health, LTC.

Call your case manager. Maybe get a copy of the job description from the new place, to have on hand, in case your CM asks for it. I would assume that you could say the NP and MD are supervising you, because you can call if needed??

I know with some folks, they have been able to work home health, as long as they check in 2 times per day, one of those face to face.

It is worth a shot. Good luck and let us know the outcome!

1 Votes

Its def worth checking with your case manager. I am an infection control nurse (RN) and plan to keep this job for a while. It pays better than what I expected, not as much as specialty area but thats ok for now! I haven't heard from the BON so far since I self reported but I wanted to be sure to have a non supervising job when that time came. Good luck and keep us posted!

1 Votes
Specializes in OR.

I have learned the hard way that the term ‘direct supervision’ can be interpreted in any number of ways. Considering it word for word by the contract implies that you cannot work unless your designated supervisor (the one who does your quarterly) is there. By that interpretation, if said supervisor goes home early, so must you. That however is patently ridiculous.

The plausible interpretation is that a person (another RN, or the doc or the NP) who knows of your contract must be available for assistance, not hanging on your every move. ‘Available for assistance’ is also open to interpretation. Example: the house supervisor in the hospital or whomever may be the charge nurse that day could meet that definition....

my experience has been that there is zero consistency in how jobs are or are not approved. My opinion FWIW, is to not be surprised if they’d shoot it down. Regardless of the dreck they spout, I am pretty confident that there is no real interest in assisting a person in returning to work. It seems to be quite the opposite. Essentially, anything other than a generic bedside hospital position is going draw fire. Those of us in specialty areas or with offers that don’t fit that profile seem to have a particularly difficult time finding a job they will approve of.

1 Votes
2 hours ago, catsmeow1972 said:

I have learned the hard way that the term ‘direct supervision’ can be interpreted in any number of ways. Considering it word for word by the contract implies that you cannot work unless your designated supervisor (the one who does your quarterly) is there. By that interpretation, if said supervisor goes home early, so must you. That however is patently ridiculous.

The plausible interpretation is that a person (another RN, or the doc or the NP) who knows of your contract must be available for assistance, not hanging on your every move. ‘Available for assistance’ is also open to interpretation. Example: the house supervisor in the hospital or whomever may be the charge nurse that day could meet that definition....

my experience has been that there is zero consistency in how jobs are or are not approved. My opinion FWIW, is to not be surprised if they’d shoot it down. Regardless of the dreck they spout, I am pretty confident that there is no real interest in assisting a person in returning to work. It seems to be quite the opposite. Essentially, anything other than a generic bedside hospital position is going draw fire. Those of us in specialty areas or with offers that don’t fit that profile seem to have a particularly difficult time finding a job they will approve of.

Ugh I hope they approve it. My ‘practice manager’ or direct supervisor isn’t an RN. The doctor and NP are, but pretty sure they won’t be there all the time. It is located in the medical arts building of a hospital where there are tons of RNs but I don’t believe directly in the office. It took me 3 weeks to even get cleared for hire in this position and many other turn downs in interviews. I’m at the point of giving up if they turn this down.

4 hours ago, rn1965 said:

Call your case manager. Maybe get a copy of the job description from the new place, to have on hand, in case your CM asks for it. I would assume that you could say the NP and MD are supervising you, because you can call if needed??

I know with some folks, they have been able to work home health, as long as they check in 2 times per day, one of those face to face.

It is worth a shot. Good luck and let us know the outcome!

Thank you! I have submitted the job description. Just have to have them call my supervisor (not an RN). Do you know where the face to face check ins take place?

Specializes in Med/Surg, Women's Health, LTC.
13 hours ago, AR-RN17 said:

Thank you! I have submitted the job description. Just have to have them call my supervisor (not an RN). Do you know where the face to face check ins take place?

From what I have been told, it is the monitored nurses responsibility to "check in" at the Home health office once per WORK day. So, dropping in either before your shifts start or at the end of the work day.

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