can you be a DON/ADON without having your license?

Specialties LTC Directors

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This is a curiosity question. Apparently our ADON has a suspended license (don't know the details). Just wondering if she should be an ADON calling docs and writing orders and supervising licensed nurses? Do you really need to be a Registered/Licensed nurse in good standing to be a DON/ADON?

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I would suspect that her job is considered to be "administrative" in nature and since she is not involved in direct patient care or allowed access to cs, (assuming that to be the cause), she is good to go. Interested in seeing what others have to say about this. I am surprised that this person has such a job. She is lucky to have a job.

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Specializes in ICU, PICC Nurse, Nursing Supervisor.

interested in reading the replies on this.....i have my own opinion but i want to wait and see what others write...

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If it is like places where I have worked, the ADON is a personal friend of the DON or administrator.

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Specializes in Gerontology, Med surg, Home Health.

In Massachusetts, the ADON and the DON must have valid nursing licenses...not suspended, not pending, not under review....valid.

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Specializes in LTC, Hospice, Case Management.

I would certainly question why anyone would want to hire (or continue employment) with someone in this position without an unrestricted license.

As ADON I can't begin to tell you how many times a day I provide some sort of nursing care for a resident, from feeding to toileting, etc...not to mention the decision making with clinical issues. I would also think this person who be responsible for some type of on-call rotation.

How do you know this person does not have a valid license. Check your facts first, but then I would be questioning the situation.

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Specializes in Geriatrics, WCC.

I would think most states that when a nurse has a suspended license, they can not perform any duties of a nurse, including writing orders, etc. Those could be done with a limited or conditional license but, not a suspeneded. If all the facts are straight, I gues i would be reporting the nurse.

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In Ohio you have to have a VALID license RN or LPN to take Doctors orders.

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In Ohio you have to have a VALID license RN or LPN to take Doctors orders.

This makes sense and this is what I would be questioning. If the facts as stated are true, she could be in violation. You can always contact the board and file a complaint against her license, providing the facts as you know them, or your concerns. The board will take it from there.

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Specializes in PICU, NICU, L&D, Public Health, Hospice.

Any job duties which require the DON or ADON to function as a nurse would, of course, require a current nursing license - regardless of state of employment.

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Specializes in LTC, ER, ICU, Psych, Med-surg...etc....

If she performs any duties of a nurse, calling docs, writing orders, she must have a valid license. I agree that I would certainly be suspicious of a place that would allow a nurse to continue working with residents with a suspended licesne. The board does not just suspend licenses for no good reason.....

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Specializes in trauma, ortho, burns, plastic surgery.
This is a curiosity question. Apparently our ADON has a suspended license (don't know the details). Just wondering if she should be an ADON calling docs and writing orders and supervising licensed nurses? Do you really need to be a Registered/Licensed nurse in good standing to be a DON/ADON?

Oh dear you, you are so straight in your question, lol. I will respond you the same. RIGHT, you have perfect right, she could NOT! Is illegal, unethical, very bad!

BUT, american nursing life , nurses and people involved in nursing networks and life experience show me, that what is not allowed could be happen in some conditions:

1. She is not working under DON/ADON title of her job, but she is working like an administrative one

2. She could call dr, is she is not acting like nurse and not asking for medical advices

3. She could not writing orders/but she could tell everyone that she just copy orders already writted, for administrative reasons

4. She could supervise licensed nurses IF is not for nursing medical reasons.

(The last time me, Zuzi, as a RN I was supervised by a janitor :D, miracles of nursing life).

5. For sure she is "a friend"

You opend a worm can.....stay away...any chances to win this tricky game!

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