LPN working under an RN's license

[MEL55]

Hi all

Newbie here

Got a question... I have been working in a Special Needs day program for going on 3 years now. I am the only LPN in the whole agency that I work with. There is one RN that has an office in my building, and I was told I need her to work as an LPN because LPN's have to work under an RN's license.

She is resigning her position in a few weeks, and I'm wondering where that leaves me, working in a program where I do some skilled nursing. The RN told me she would be calling the contract nursing agency that we use when I needed coverage for sick days... vacation days.... in the past, and asking them to provide our agency with a RN to work in our facility until a new RN is hired. This is where I am left scratching my head.

If my agency gets an RN to come to our Center until a new RN is hired... Isn't she, & her agency putting themselves at risk? If, god forbid, a client's family member were wanting to sue for whatever reason, it's that RN's license, plus that agency, along with my license that gets dragged into the dirt? My Program supervisor, who is not a medical person, has a "don't worry about it" attitude. Of course I will worry about it because I have the license at stake.

Unless laws have changed, can I work without an RN working for our agency?

There is a DDD nurse, but our Agency isn't under DDD exactly. We are a non profit organization that has to follow DDD guidlines, along with our agency's guidelines. Nothing is clearly written anywhere the situation I am in.

Hope I have explained myself clearly

Could you tell me what I need to know to approach the Agency I work for, and let them know I know the laws governing my license, & I cannot settle for anything less.

Thanx

[pickledpepperRN]

As an LPN you work under your own license. LPNs also must work under the clinical supervision (not the license) of a registered nurse, licensed physician, dentist, or other licensed health professional.

It's best to check with your state Board of Nursing and Practice Act. In California long term care units the physician must be available by phone to the LVN if no RN is present.

In acute care hospitals the supervising RN must be present and available at all times.

[MEL55]

Thank you for the clarification.

My concern lays in the fact that I work in a Special Needs day program with the severly developmentally disabled giving medications and also G-tube feedings (and administering medication through the G-tubes), and once our agency RN resigns....am I still legally able to perform my duties if they have not hired an RN for the agency.

I will check with NJ's State Board of Nursing and Practice Act to make myself knowledgable.

Thank you again for your reply

[BA.LVN]

I found this thread b/c I had a similar question. I am a new grad LVN and have not even had my first real job yet, but I got a call today from an adult day health facility that I had applied to. The person in charge wants to hire me, but there is no RN there and this person wants me to give insulin....there's NO training w/ another nurse.....I don't get i??? So I said no....

[Thornbird]

Definitely check with your own state Board of Nursing. How "close" the supervision of the RN has to be varies. I have worked in states (like CT) where an LPN cannot work anywhere except in a client home without an RN in the building. I have worked in other states (like MA) where an LPN can work in non-hospital settings as long as an RN is immediately available by phone. In all states there must be some type of RN supervsion for the LPN/LVN.

I didn't totally understand the OP. Would an agency RN be provided to supervise until a new RN is hired or would an agency RN be used only to cover your days off? It is perfectly fine to have an agency RN supervise but the supervision must be provided whenever you are working. It only varies how close that supervison has to be. If you are working any days with no RN supervision (as defined in your state) you are working illegally. I hope this helps.

[OncologyRN23, BSN, RN]

As an LPN you work under your own license. LPNs also must work under the clinical supervision (not the license) of a registered nurse, licensed physician, dentist, or other licensed health professional.

It's best to check with your state Board of Nursing and Practice Act. In California long term care units the physician must be available by phone to the LVN if no RN is present.

In acute care hospitals the supervising RN must be present and available at all times.

I'm sorry but if I sign off on something that an LPN has done wrong then my license is at stake! Furthermore when you are SUPERVISING someone you are also being held responsible for their actions thats why you are SUPERVISING them!!!