My 2 Cents

Make a Decision

I want to say thank you again to the minority nursing students at the University of Cincinnati College of Nursing for the invitation to be part of a panel presentation on career options for nurses. The panel included an emergency room nurse who is also a ARNP and currently a second year medical student, an OB RN, a RN with experience in occupational health and home health, and a RN with expertise in pediatric oncology.

I graduated from nursing school 13 years ago but seeing those eager faces debating and discussing career options reminded me of myself in 1992-1993. It was either graduate school for a MSN or law school for a JD. I decided to attend law school and it was a good decision just like the decision to attend nursing school was a good decision. If I knew then what I know now, I would have sought a dual MSN/JD. Hindsight is always 20/20.

I used to work in a large firm. I started my own law practice because I wanted to represent, counsel, and advise individual nurses. There are not many law firms focusing exclusively on the needs of individuals nurses. This was another good decision.

What were some of my bad decisions? I borrowed way too much money in law school and there were obvious ways to decrease my need for students loans. This may not be a "bad decision" but I wish now I had attended nursing and/or law school outside of the Cincinnati area. You can always move back home and Cincinnati for better or for worse is home for me. 

Nurses, its never too late to make a career change, continue your education, or enter a different specialty in nursing. Start your own business, complete your BSN, moonlight as a agency nurse for extra cash, seek certification, etc. Make a decision. What are your career options? What did you tell yourself you would accomplish after 5 years in nursing? 10 years in nursing? 15 years in nursing? 20 years in nursing?

Licensure in Multiple States

You are a LPN who holds licensure in State A and B and you work part-time positions in each state. You work Monday-Wednesday in State A and Thursday-Saturday in State B. Can you safely assume the LPN IV therapy rules for State A are the same as State B?

I live in Cincinnati, Ohio, which borders Northern Kentucky and Southeastern Indiana. Therefore its not uncommon for nurses in these areas to have licensure in Ohio, Kentucky, and/or Indiana. Nurses who live in the Louisville, Kentucky area may be licensed in Indiana or vice versa because of the proximity of state lines and employment opportunites.

Don't assume the nursing law and regulations for State A are the same or similiar to State B. Just because you did XYZ task or procedure in State A does not mean that XYZ task is within your scope of practice in State B.

As a licensed nurse, you are accountable for your nursing practice and have an obligation to be familiar with state nursing law (Nurse Practice Act) and regulations (Board of Nursing regulations) in each state where you practice.

Nursing License Renewal

Depending on the state where you practice, license renewal may be approaching. Renew your license in a timely manner. Failure to renew your nursing license by the deadline places your license on inactive status. If you practice nursing or work in a position that requires a nursing license while your license is inactive you may be investigated by your state board of nursing. APRNs, renew your certificate of authority and certificate to prescribe also when required.

We all get busy and forget to do things but I can't imagine failing to renew my nursing and law licenses. I am never that busy. Call me old fashion but I tape each renewal application to the wall above my laptop computer and I mark the earliest, first, and cheapest renewal deadline in my calendars and circle it with red ink. I refuse to pay more money than what I have to pay so I renew at the first deadline.

In 2005, I renewed my Ohio RN license and my law license in Ohio, Kentucky, and Indiana at a cost of at least $500.00 total. I cringe at the thought of renewal each year. I have to renew my Indiana and Kentucky law license yearly. I complain and moan about the "tax on practicing" but I do pay the fee to renew my licenses.   

Don't wait until the last minute to renew your nursing license or APRN privileges because something may happen and you may forget about the last minute deadline. Remember your license is your livelihood! So renew your nursing license and APRN privileges in a timely manner this year.

Board of Nursing Newsletter

I just received the Spring 2006 issue of the Ohio Board of Nursing newsletter, Momentum. I always read the Momentum and regularly review the board of nursing newsletters from other states for legal issues and trends in nursing.

The next time you receive your state board of nursing newsletter, don't immediately throw it away. Take 20 minutes and review the articles and the commentary written by the Board President and/or Executive Director. You may pick up on one or two pieces of helpful information.

Scope of Practice

I spoke today at the Greater Cincinnati Chapter of the American Association of Critical Care Nurses spring meeting at the Cintas Center (Xavier University). There were over 170 attendees registered for the conference and I had over 60 nurses attend my presentation on the RN Scope of Practice in Ohio.

After the session, I fielded questions pertaining to nursing delegation, professional liability insurance, and the RN and LPN scope of practice in the workplace. Scope of practice is a big deal and as a starting point, download and review a copy of your State Nurse Practice Act and State Board of Nursing Regulations.

What is the difference in the scope of practice of RNs and LPNS in your state? You tell me.

New Year Resolutions

Did you make New Year Resolutions? I did.  I am exercising at least 3-5x week. I had several goals for my law practice and my nursing practice. I am not doing "too bad." How are you doing on your Resolutions?