To report or not report?

Whispera, MSN, RN · May 11, 2011

What kind of license is expired?

Are those using the title of nurse doing things only nurses should do?

Are you sure your employer is aware? If not, it seems like something the employer should be told. Be prepared to answer questions about how you learned the information and why you looked for it.

Is their work putting you in jeopardy? Is it hurting patients?

BabyLady, BSN, RN · May 11, 2011

Hi everyone,
I work in a family practice clinic as one of only a few RN's. The rest of the back clinic office are either MOAs or CNAs.
When I first took the job, I found it interesting that everyone working alongside a MD was referred to as a Nurse; when really only RNs should be referred to as such. My curiousity lead me to our state board of nursing on-line verification system to see whom I was working with that actually held the title of RN, CNA, and MOA; for MOAs, there is no such verification system that I am aware of.
During my research, I found that one of my coworkers in not only not an RN who is being referred to an a nurse, but in addition she has been working under an expired license for the last 2 years. I would appreciate your feedback on what you would do in this situation. I have not made light of the information that I know, but I feel I should. What would you do?

Your "reporting" may not be as anonymous as you think and you could end up losing your job.

First, LPN's have the legal right to be called a nurse, just like an RN does.

Second, in a CLINIC, in most states, unlicensed workers can give injections and medications...b/c they do UNDER the license of the physician. If something goes wrong, it is the physician, not the individual, that gets sued.

While I agree with you that unless they are an LPN or an RN, they should not be calling themselves a nurse, because it leads the public to believe that they have credentials and a level of expertise that they do not have (and the right to refuse if they are not licensed), that is something you need to take up with the physicians because if ou try to tackle that yourself, that could cause a huge uproar.

psu_213, BSN, RN · May 11, 2011

I guess there are two issues here.

First, should all office staff be referred to as "nurses," including MAs, CNAs etc. That topic seems to be a bit of a dead horse on these boards.

The second issue here is what this individual is doing 'under' the expired lisence. Is she doing only things that lisenced RNs can do? If not, not really a big deal as so far as the BON is concerned. If she is being compesented with the assumption that she is an RN, that is another matter. Of course, you don't have a right to know what her salary/hourly rate is.

clinicRn · May 11, 2011

CNA. Scope of practice is a whole other issue here. No, the employer is not aware, hence the post asking for advice on what to do with the information. The online verification system for license professional is available to anyone. Working as an unlicensed professional not only puts the patients in jeopardy, but also the livelihood of the clinic should a malpractice suit be filed with the individual involved.

caliotter3 · May 11, 2011

I was under the impression that MAs work under the license of the MD who employs them. In that case, it might not matter that the license is expired as the MD will vouch for the work of the person in question. You might not appreciate the response you might get when you bring this to the attention of the clinic owners.

clinicRn · May 11, 2011

I was under the impression that MAs work under the license of the MD who employs them. In that case, it might not matter that the license is expired as the MD will vouch for the work of the person in question. You might not appreciate the response you might get when you bring this to the attention of the clinic owners.

The person is not an MA, but rather is working/signing injections etc. as a CNA. Different, no?

Mulan · May 11, 2011

Are you referring to a CNA that has an expired CNA license?

caliotter3 · May 11, 2011

Anybody can walk in off the street and work as an MA as long as the doctor vouches for them, in those states where one need not be certified as an MA to work as one. That is the whole idea of the MA role. Minimally prepared workers for minimal pay.

If you want to bring up that this person is signing as a "CNA", then do so, but be prepared for a negative backlash.

BabyLady, BSN, RN · May 11, 2011

The person is not an MA, but rather is working/signing injections etc. as a CNA. Different, no?

Most states do not have a formal system for certifying/licensing medical assistants. That is a title that is crowned on them by the physician, therefore, it does not matter if their CNA certification is expired or not.

netglow, ASN, RN · May 11, 2011

i'd report.

it's easy to do at least in my state. you can just go to your dept. of health or bon and read where to report online. or, you can locate an address and send a typed note that way to assure that you are anonymous. just don't discuss with anyone at work. be sure you are to the point. eg something like ...date, i am writing to report that suzie faker, employee of xyz medical clinic at (address, phone) is working as a certified nursing assistant cna, signing medical records using the cna title after her name, encourages staff and patients to refer to her as a registered nurse rn. susie faker cannot be found to hold a current certification for cna that can be found at xx state cna certification lookup www.cnalookupforxxstate.com. susie faker cannot be found to hold a license to practice registered nursing on the xx state professional licensing lookup www.xxstateprofessionallicensing.com. thank you for your prompt attention to this matter.

keba · May 11, 2011

Firstly, Happy Nurses Day! If you would be held liable for the actions of the unregistered individuals you must protect yourself and talk to the individual, let them know that you will report them if they do not renew their registration while they practise.