I kindly accepted without any hesitation. I do these pro bono because its giving back to the profession and some of these nursing students may be clients in the near future:) Just kidding, calm down.
This isn't a slap in the face to nursing education. Okay yes it is but I will say it nicely. Too many programs are training nursing students to pass the NCLEX but not giving them the tools and skills needed to successfully navigate in a legally treacherous and highly regulated healthcare environment. I understand the importance of the NCLEX but what about the Law, Legalities, and Legal Issues in Nursing Practice?
What about socializing nurses into the professional practice of nursing? I am seeing too many new graduates from 0-2 years out who are having serious legal issues including complaints filed against them with the State Nursing Board.
What is covered anyway in the Legal and Ethical Issues in Nursing for Accelerated nursing degrees and ASN, BSN, and diploma students? Please tell me its more than negligence, malpractice, advance directives, and the "feel good" stuff I learned back in my programs in 1993 and 1994.
I had an LPN who is 4 years out tell me last week she was not prepared to face the legal issues she is facing now because of not charting controlled substances in a LTC facility. She exclaimed that no one told her that the failure to document the administration of controlled substances on the NAR and MAR could be construed as illegal processing of drug documents in Ohio.
What is illegal processing of drug documents? See http://codes.ohio.gov/orc/2925.23
See also State of Ohio v. Peeler. Peeler is a nurse.
http://caselaw.lp.findlaw.com/data2/ohiostatecases/2003/2003-ohio-2903.pdf
http://www.supremecourt.ohio.gov/rod/docs/pdf/2/2002/2002-Ohio-109.pdf
I am seeing new graduates who don't understand the nursing scope of practice and then practice outside of scope based on unit or facility practices. Do you honestly think your DON, Preceptor, or Unit Manager is going to say "yes, State Nursing Board investigator, we know our nurses practice outside the scope and its an acceptable practice here." Hell no because I had a client who was 2 years out and worked in the ICU of a Cincinnati hospital disciplined by the Ohio Nursing Board for this. And guess what NO ONE came forward on her behalf from the Hospital. NO ONE.
As professionals it is important for nurses to have a basic understanding of the professional and legal regulatory underpinnings of professional nursing practice. At a min, know what's in your State Nurse Practice Act and/or Board of Nursing Regulations, National or Specialty Nursing Association guidelines applicable to your practice, and your employer's Nursing Policies & Procedures. This a must.
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