VA Clinic/Military Clinic RN Scope of Practice

[kerbear1969]

In the "primary care clinic setting" is what I'm referring too.

Can the RN (not NP-already know NP can do these tasks)

1) read and interpret abnormal lab results and abnormal test results to a patient/family member?

2) perform an inner ear assessment using an otoscope to assess whether the patient has an infection or cerumen build up? Flush the ear with debrox, ear wash?

3) Initiate and complete the 90 day interdisciplinary assessment. (I was under the impression this was a way for the NP/MD provider to "lay eyes on the patient" "assess the patient")

I'm concerned as the RN's are getting more responsibilities and taskings placed on them the list keeps getting longer and longer and less for the NP/MD providers.

[Jeckrn1, ADN, BSN]

Depends on the state BON.

[merytrer]

I understand your concern and feel you pain! They put more and more on nurses every day. I don’t think we are supposed to give patients results and interpret them. That should be done by a provider who is trained to know the causes and disease process. There are many questions we as nurses cannot answer. This is all outside of our scope of practice. We all have to stand our ground on this and not let it become a trend. I have found that many nurses are too big for their britches and enjoy acting like doctors. This harms us all