Scope of Practice

[Balder_LPN, LPN]

I am an LPN student and am taking my CNA class right now as I want to make my carreer switch right away.

I was really surprised that I cannot find a scope of practice for a CNA in WA state. I have searched the state BON website and even called them, just to get the phone shuffle treatment and no answer at all.

For instance: The ER techs (CNA) do wound care, ekg's, and used to do blood sugars. In the nursing homes no wound care or ekg's and definitely no BS

Also I have prior training in O2 administration but my intructor said "NEVER" not even to adjust an improper flow rate for a pt. that is outside of scope for a CNA. I do beleive her, but how do I see what exactly I am allowed to do or not?

Does anyone have a resource for getting this for my state? the only thing I can find is the state law that specifies what skills a CNA "must" cover in class. But nothing that says duties are limited to this.

[jb2u, ASN, RN]

Balder,

To know the cna scope of practice you must look at the laws and regulations that a nurse must follow. What can a nurse delegate? This is found in the Law RCW 18.79.260 and in the regulation WAC 246-840-910.

The cna is not a professional per say and does not really have a "scope of practice." We are certified not licensed. We are there to assist the nurse. Their license is what we "work under." We are to perform those task that their laws and regulations state that they can delegate.

That being said, here are the links that will list what a nurse can delegate in WA and thus, what a cna can do!

The Law RCW 18.79.260

The Regulation WAC 246-840-910

I hope that helps. At least you will not be on terminal hold anymore!!!

Sincerely,

Jay

[CNA_Timmy]

The scope of practice for a CNA is usually found in the BONs delegation clause for the nurses scope of practice. It is even crazier than that. In the hospital I am expected to (as in it is in my written job description) connect and disconnect o2 for transfers, take the blood sugars, and even stage one decub treatment. In the LTC I work for I am absolutely banned from touch the o2, dont even touch a wound, and if I was seen with a glucometer I would probably be stoned by the nurses. It basically do what your job description says, and if you have any doubt bring it up to your manager, and if you still have doubt call the state BON.

[CandAmommy]

It is interesting to see such differences between the hospitals and LTC.

[rancelumsden]

It is interesting to see such differences between the hospitals and LTC.

The difference was the training. I worked in hospital and LTC.

In hospital, I did many 'technical' tasks such as glucose readings and EKG's, but had specific training for it that was overseen and checked off (as opposed to just taking a class and having a written exam). For example, I had to do 10 EKG's, with another person present, before doing them on my own. Each session I did was signed off and was checked. Similar with glucose readings too --- not nearly as much prep but same idea.

Other things such as removing/putting back suction, oxygen, heart monitors you learned as you went. There was training in wound treatment too, but you needed some amount of experience in the facility, and a good review, before being considered for training in that.

[NurseCubanitaRN2b, BSN, RN]

I know this thread is old, but I'd like to find one for the state of California, I've searched the site and can't find one regarding the CNA's scope of practice. We're having some issues at work, and I'd like to find information regarding that.