To report or not report?

[clinicRn]

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?

[BabyLady, BSN, RN]

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.

Unlicensed medical employees DO NOT work under the supervision of an RN in a medical office.

They work under the license of the physician.

The OP needs to verify she has grounds before she stirs things up where she works, because I highly suspect, she does not have any.

[Mrs. SnowStormRN, RN]

Hi. I would like to say when I was a CNA (in my state) you did not need to be certified to work in home health or primary care. The CNA should be signing NA and not CNA. She could easily be told to do this instead of reporting it, because she may not know she should change her signing credentials. Technically CNAs arent licensed, they are certified (which isnt required in all fields, mostly LTC requires the certification according to my state)

[mizfradd, CNA]

hi. i would like to say when i was a cna (in my state) you did not need to be certified to work in home health or primary care. the cna should be signing na and not cna. she could easily be told to do this instead of reporting it, because she may not know she should change her signing credentials. technically cnas arent licensed, they are certified (which isnt required in all fields, mostly ltc requires the certification according to my state)

mekblizz is absolutely correct.

[edmia, BSN, RN]

No. It's not your job to check up the license of the individual you are checking up on. That is the employer's responsibility. If they hired an RN without checking if her license was current, then your boss in an idiot.

If, on the other hand, you're talking about a CNA (it's not clear due to your follow up postings) then there is no issue because they are not licensed by a board of anything. They have a certification given after a course they took, but there's no educational requirement as far as I know.

If you are offended about everyone being called "nurse", then say something about it to your employer -- although that seems like a small fight to pick and could just end up hurting your reputation with your colleagues.

Hope this helps.

[netglow, ASN, RN]

In my state there is an educational requirement for CNA as well as a certification exam to pass. There is also a background check and health requirements. Finally your certification is contingent and like a nursing license in my state you must meet continuing learning requirements or lose your certification and be forced to retake your classes and certification exam. Hospitals in my area do not use uncertified/uneducated people in patient care assist roles.

It's up to this staff member to know about the law and her job. There is no "maybe she doesn't know".

[clinicRn]

No. It's not your job to check up the license of the individual you are checking up on. That is the employer's responsibility. If they hired an RN without checking if her license was current, then your boss in an idiot.

If, on the other hand, you're talking about a CNA (it's not clear due to your follow up postings) then there is no issue because they are not licensed by a board of anything. They have a certification given after a course they took, but there's no educational requirement as far as I know.

If you are offended about everyone being called "nurse", then say something about it to your employer -- although that seems like a small fight to pick and could just end up hurting your reputation with your colleagues.

Hope this helps.

I am referring to a CNA. In the state that I live in CNA's are required to get a certification after completing an course. The certification lasts for 2 years and then must be renewed. One may only renew their certification if they have worked and maintained educational hours. No, it is not my job to verify credentials of my fellow colleagues, however it is public information and anyone can do it. Also, I have checked with the board of nursing and just because you were once a CNA and your license is now expired, does not mean that you can continue working in primary care under a MD's license.

[clinicRn]

I am referring to a CNA. In the state that I live in CNA's are required to get a certification after completing an course. The certification lasts for 2 years and then must be renewed. One may only renew their certification if they have worked and maintained educational hours. No, it is not my job to verify credentials of my fellow colleagues, however it is public information and anyone can do it. Also, I have checked with the board of nursing and just because you were once a CNA and your license is now expired, does not mean that you can continue working in primary care under a MD's license.

And the BON does regulate state practices of CNAs in my state.

[hotscrubs]

Who cares if you hear someone call a CNA a nurse. It doesn't matter what people think they are as long as they aren't performing outside of there job. The cna's license is expired? big whoop. I use to be a CNA before becoming a RN and my certification didn't matter to the hospital and they told me that upon hire.

[clinicRn]

Who cares if you hear someone call a CNA a nurse. It doesn't matter what people think they are as long as they aren't performing outside of there job. The cna's license is expired? big whoop. I use to be a CNA before becoming a RN and my certification didn't matter to the hospital and they told me that upon hire.

According to my state board of nursing both matter. Also, it matters to many on this board that CNAs and MOAs refer to themselves as nurses when they are not. I work in a clinical setting with a physician. Would it be okay if I referred to myself as the Physician Assistant, as that is a big part of my job, assisting the physician?

[traumaRUs, MSN, APRN]

I think at this point we have provided what we can on this topic so am closing it now.