Not really sure if this is okay.

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I have been a nurse for over 6 years now. I started out as LPN working a cart in the nursing home and now I am an RN working in risk management for a nursing home. My question is about one of my coworkers. She is not a nurse and is constantly taking phone report on patients that are going to be admitted. I was always told that a nurse has to take report. What gives? Is it required to be a nurse? :confused:

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Specializes in ICU.

What is she, a unit clerk? Yes, it has to be a nurse. A nurse can ask relevant questions. Someone might be trying to transfer a patient who may be unstable. I would stop this practice immediately

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This lady is not a unit clerk. I know she has a degree in social work. That's why I find this crazy that she does this and has been since long before I went to work at this facility.

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Specializes in Trauma Surgery, Nursing Management.

A unit clerk can take name, age, doctor, dx, and any precautions that the pt is on. THAT IS IT. Only a nurse can accept full report. I agree with the above poster, though. It would be very easy for the reporting RN to get confused and think that he/she has reported off to an RN if the unit clerk does not state that she is not an RN. I would nip that in the bud.

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May be she has a nicer picture than the nurse!

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Specializes in Med/Surg, Ortho, ASC.
May be she has a nicer picture than the nurse!

..WTH?

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May be she has a nicer picture than the nurse!

Don't really get this comment either but there is always someone in a thread that post something that makes no sense and is never helpful.

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Specializes in Adult Acute Psych Inpatient.

Earlier today there was a post about attaching pictures to resumes and if it could be discriminatory because the agency/hospital wants a specific 'face' to be 'their face'. It might have been in reference to that, but I'm not sure.

As for report, I agree with above. Full report = nurse only.

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I have been a nurse for over 6 years now. I started out as LPN working a cart in the nursing home and now I am an RN working in risk management for a nursing home. My question is about one of my coworkers. She is not a nurse and is constantly taking phone report on patients that are going to be admitted. I was always told that a nurse has to take report. What gives? Is it required to be a nurse? :confused:

What does your facility's policy say?

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Specializes in Critical Care.

I'd agree with the idea that it would be best that an RN take report but I'm unable to find anything in my state's practice act regarding that topic. Although honestly, our practice act is hidden in the public health code so it can be challenging to find out info. :-)

I'd support the idea of checking P&P manual, speaking with the DON for clarification and no harm in contacting the practice division of your BON for clarificiation. If there is no legal requirement, then it might be difficult for you to get this changed.

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