Nurse practicing without license?

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I am a BSN student graduating in May. While I was in my rotation at a middle school I was with two school nurses and sometimes a substitute nurse who substitutes for when one of the other nurses are gone. During that particular day the substitute nurse was giving me and another student case scenarios and asking what we would do in the situation, she was really irritating. A student came in that day and had stomach pain, but it was more up into his chest. She laid him down and proceeded to do an assesment on him and determined that he had possible appendicitis and called his parents. The other nursing student and myself did not think it was the case at all as he did not have any of the symptoms of appendicitis. Anyway I said all of that to say later in the day I asked the substitute nurse how long she had been nursing and she preceded to tell me that she hasn't had her license for years because she decided years ago to not renew because she had lost respect for the healthcare system. I am wondering why she substitutes and is this legal. I am angry that she was quizzing me and assessing students when she has not practiced nursing in years except subbing at this school.:nono:

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NNNNNOOOOOOOOOOOOoooooooo!!!!!

I can't imagine WHERE this was but our licenses are there to protect the public as well as us. A lot of states have a web site where you can look up anybody's license for free. I would have a look to get the straight scoop. But, you can't practice nursing without a license.

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To my knowledge all approved nursing schools and educators must maintain their nursing license. I sort of recall a incident with one who neglected to send in for their renewal in time and the dean pressed them about it daily. Sort of placed her in a bind I would assume.

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nurses are required to show their license annually...if she is w/o a license the school and she would be criminally liable

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Actually it is illegal for her to practicing nursing without a license. This nurse is employed by this middle school you attended? I can't believe they would allow her to substitute in this position without a license. I have to provide a current copy of my license at the health care facility where I work, I can't imagine that an educational facility would not require the same of their staff that hold the position of a school nurse.

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holy cow!!!!

this is totally illegal and shame on the school for not obtaining a copy of her license. if anything ever happened to a student, she and the school would be in very serious trouble. can you pass this information onto the school, the BON, or an anonymous letter to the dept of education? it needs to be reported.

leslie

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If she does not keep her license up, then she is practicing without a license. She needs to be reported immedaitely to the Board of Education, as well as the BON.

And shame shame on who ever it is at the school that is responsible for following up on these things. They should be inverstigated as well for letting this slip thru.

And if you want to be super anonymous, just get your newspaper or local TV involved, they would have a field day with this. Investigative reporters just love this type of thing.

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License = Nurse

No License = Not a nurse

What this woman is doing is illegal, and if the school knows about it, they are in trouble as well. I would report this this to the BON at the very least; it would be one thing if this woman was presented/presented herself as an "aide" or something but to be called a nurse, call herself a nurse and to practice as one requires a little thing called a license.

As an aside, I would also be concerned about her doing what she is doing while stating that she let her license go because she "lost faith in the medical community"-Then why even pretend to be a nurse?

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. " can you pass this information onto the school, the BON, or an anonymous letter to the dept of education? "

Sorry to post again, but I would skip the notifing the school or board of Education-they are guilty, and would likely (to my cynical thinking) be more in a hurry to cover it up than to rectify the situation. I'd go right to the BON, the news, or even, if you can find them, some parents of the children attending that school.

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Thanks for the replies, I was actually thinking about discussing it with one of my nursing instructors to see what she thought. And with her personality she will not take it lightly. I know she will not like the fact that this substitute was actually giving students case scenarios and assessing.

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tell the instructor, but tell the BON too. One of your new responsibilities as a nurse (and I realize you are not licensed yet) is to help maintain propriety within our profession. WE are responsible for keeping public trust by taking action in these cases. I am glad you realized the importance of this incident.

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Specializes in ICU, CVICU.
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Sorry to post again, but I would skip the notifing the school or board of Education-they are guilty, and would likely (to my cynical thinking) be more in a hurry to cover it up than to rectify the situation. I'd go right to the BON, the news, or even, if you can find them, some parents of the children attending that school.

I agree- I would go straight to the BON! I hope you keep us posted and tell us what happens.

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