2nd job drawing blood-will i be held accountable as a RN if something were to happen?

[HickoryRN]

Hi, everyone! I am a RN and currently work in a hospital but am considering getting a second job going to people's homes and drawing their blood. The pay is very close to my hospital pay right now and they would even pay for my gas. The only thing i'm worried about is if something were to happen or if a pt was really sick and i didn't assess them if i could be held accountable and as a RN if later something were to happen. Or would i just be seen as the job title i held at that time (phlebotomist)? I've just heard so many different opinions on this and i was wondering if anyone can point me in the right direction as to the legalities of it. Is there anywhere online i can find this? I've tried with no luck. I live in Illinois. Any info would be greatly appreciated!! Thanks!!!

[msjellybean]

i am also from illinois and in the same dilemma. im working as a cna and have my rn license. i called IDFPR just to make sure that I can do both jobs. I was told that yes.....as long as I don't go outside my scope while working as a cna. But call them(IDFPR) just so you can get the info from the horses mouth. Best Wishes!!!!!!

I would be very careful with this. At my hospital, we have a lot of health care techs (UAP) that go on to become RNs. Once their license number is posted to the professional regulation website, they are prohibited from working as a tech; because they will be held to the RN license should something go wrong.

Also, anyone have any suggestions on companies to get insurance through (or conversely, who to avoid)? I've been thinking about getting my own insurance for a while & am curious about people's experiences. I'm in Illinois, btw.

[HickoryRN]

thank you for your advice! will do that asap!

[NPinWCH]

I second Batman's recommendation for Nurse Service Organization (NSO).

[elkpark]

The two companies that specialize in providing professional liability coverage for nurses (and other healthcare professionals) that get mentioned most often are Nurses Service Organization (NSO) (http://www.nso.com) and Marsh (http://www.proliability.com).

Different people here over the years have mentioned having coverage as a rider on their homeowner's insurance policy, so, apparently, that's an option, but I have no idea how that would work -- I have always been more comfortable dealing with a company that specializes and has experience in covering nurses.

[gonzo1, ASN, RN]

A couple of years ago I got called as a witness regarding a case at my work site. I had never done this before and was scared to death. So I called NSO and they sent a lawyer out to babysit me and talk me through it.

Needless to say if they are that helpful when you are just a witness they are probably great when you are the one protecting your license.

I am a customer of theirs for life. The other posters have all hit on very important points. I would never be without my own insurance. You can research this further as there is considerable info on it on the WWW.

[ZippyGBR, BSN, RN]

i am also from illinois and in the same dilemma. im working as a cna and have my rn license. i called IDFPR just to make sure that I can do both jobs. I was told that yes.....as long as I don't go outside my scope while working as a cna. But call them(IDFPR) just so you can get the info from the horses mouth. Best Wishes!!!!!!

Interestingly in the UK it;s the reverse if you work in a non-registered Role your employer must be informed you have registration and that you are professionally obliged to act to that level should the need arise ...