Out of state overnight camping

Alex Egan, LPN, EMT-B · Nov 3, 2018

So... the thing with forum questions are you get out of them what you put into them. The answer now is, I have no idea. To answer this will require more information. What state will you be traveling to?

stephrooth · Nov 3, 2018

So... the thing with forum questions are you get out of them what you put into them. The answer now is, I have no idea. To answer this will require more information. What state will you be traveling to?

It will be from NJ to PA

Alex Egan, LPN, EMT-B · Nov 4, 2018

To my understanding PA has no provision for out of state nurses to practice and remain a nurse in standing for groups they are hired for.

I think some states, specifically Florida do.

My question would be what do you think will be needed on this field trip that requires "nursing". That is to say you can probably function as a ULAP and do the required duties. Now you're held to the standard of an RN no matter what, but so long as you don't call yourself nurse or provide an nursing level services you should be ok. All that said I'm not a lawyer. This is a good question for the schools lawyer to look into.

stephrooth · Nov 4, 2018

To my understanding PA has no provision for out of state nurses to practice and remain a nurse in standing for groups they are hired for.
I think some states, specifically Florida do.
My question would be what do you think will be needed on this field trip that requires "nursing". That is to say you can probably function as a ULAP and do the required duties. Now you're held to the standard of an RN no matter what, but so long as you don't call yourself nurse or provide an nursing level services you should be ok. All that said I'm not a lawyer. This is a good question for the schools lawyer to look into.

I don't even know why I have to go to this trip with the students when there is a nurse onsite of camping trip

pedi_nurse · Nov 5, 2018

It depends on your home state and the laws in the state you are travelling to. I'm in Texas, which is a compact state, and I could travel and practice in other compact states without notifying the board of that state so long as it is less than a month or two (?). I'd check your state board and the one you are travelling with. If you can't practice, you have grounds to refuse to go. It's a threat to your license.

Farawyn · Nov 5, 2018

Wow, I go on weekend college trips all the time with the kids, and this thought has NEVER crossed my mind.

Alex Egan, LPN, EMT-B · Nov 5, 2018

Pa is non compact that I do know for sure.

MrNurse(x2), ADN · Nov 6, 2018

Pa is non compact that I do know for sure.

Every other State in the Union could be compact and Pennsylvania would never do it. But you can build a house without a license. :banghead:

JenTheSchoolRN, BSN, RN · Nov 6, 2018

I ran into this with a trip to NH; call the state's BON and ask. NH is a compact state, but my state isn't. To be fair, you might get different answer based on who you talk to as I did :).

But generally on a trip out of state, I tell my school I can travel as a chaperone only unless they want to pay for my licensing fees to be licensed in the state we are traveling to. I'm actually traveling internationally with student this winter and NOT as a nurse. I made that clear to my admin.

pedi_nurse · Nov 6, 2018

I'm actually traveling internationally with student this winter and NOT as a nurse. I made that clear to my admin.

The idea of this stresses me out so much. If you aren't traveling as a nurse, what if an urgent need arises? If you address said urgent need and something goes wrong, can you actually say you weren't practicing in the capacity of a nurse? If you aren't the one to address the urgent need, do you get in trouble with your state BON for not rendering aid as appropriate for a nurse to do? Or as a school employee can you still administer medications because in education that is treated as an administrative role? Or can you get into trouble for administering medications as a nurse without a license in that state? So many what if scenarios - it gives me anxiety.

JenTheSchoolRN, BSN, RN · Nov 8, 2018

The idea of this stresses me out so much. If you aren't traveling as a nurse, what if an urgent need arises? If you address said urgent need and something goes wrong, can you actually say you weren't practicing in the capacity of a nurse? If you aren't the one to address the urgent need, do you get in trouble with your state BON for not rendering aid as appropriate for a nurse to do? Or as a school employee can you still administer medications because in education that is treated as an administrative role? Or can you get into trouble for administering medications as a nurse without a license in that state? So many what if scenarios - it gives me anxiety.

I'm not giving out my OTC prns like I do at school, no. Regular medications that students take can travel with them and be given like they would be on any other field trip (daily meds, inhalers, epi pens). Parents sign off on this.

Of course, if an emergency arises, I'm going to help - but I won't have any tools beyond my basic first aid and have a great travel company and am traveling to two major European cities, so I'll dial emergency and call parent, etc, just as any chaperone on the trip would do, likely after reviewing the process with me :).

My nursing license is not valid aboard. I could actually get in trouble for practicing in a place my license isn't valid.