Horton

I appreciate everyone's responses. I do see that triage and plan of care are different, but the state board tells me that an RN should be performing the triage. I can find no specific written rule stating that RN's are required to perform the triage assessment. I guess what I am asking is if it is a written rule in Texas or anywhere else that we must be using RN's for triage. This is my first time posting on allnurses.com and I am glad to know this resource is available. Thanks for your input. Jim RN, BSN

We have been discussing EMTALA and triage and the nurse practice act (Texas) and so forth. The State Board of Nursing states that an RN must make the initial assessment and develop a plan of care for the patient. Does this mean that a RN is required to perform triage? I believe that triage is an initial assessment to develop the plan of care (what order the patients will be seen). I wonder if some experienced ED nurses are out there who could answer this question for me. Any help will be greatly appreciated. Jim