I recently relocated to another area and took a Directors job. Wonderful institution. However I recently found a "duties list" for RN's, LPN's Techs, Unit Secretaries/Nursing Assistants. On this list was a section for taking phone orders, and it said that yes, US/NA's can take orders!! (but no Med orders). I of course was flabergasted. I immediately told my units that this was not permissable. However, the problem I am having is the inability to find reference to this in the nurse practice act, or any other documentation. Any suggestions?

In this busy world delegation seems to be haphazard! In general even LPN's in our state can not take telephone orders. . .Your State Nurse Practice Act shoud define this or you dhould speak with someone from your State Board of Nursing. They are the reference point and the ones who interpret and define those pronciples of liscensure. How do nurses feel about their licenses. I wonder if the doctors know to whom they are giving orders. . .medications aren't the only orders with serious implications. . . .Good Luck. . .

HI,

IN MY 14 YRS OF BEING A NURSE, IVE NEVER ENCOUNTERED THIS TYPE OF SITUATION WHERE A UA COULD TAKE ORDERS.. LIKE EDRN STATED, I THINK YOU NEED TO CHECK WITH YOUR STATE BOARD OF NURSING TO CLARIFY THAT....

NAWLINSGIRL

Agree with you, RNs can only delegate tasks that do not involve assessment or evaluation and even if UA/LPNS transcribe orders they must be checked and cosigned by RN in my facility. Most facilities even try to limit number of verbal orders taken by RN due to hig likelihood of errors. In our facility RN may take verbal order but must write order and read back to physician and use the heading VORB(verbal order read back) I can't imagine that any state baord's practice act would condone such activity
Lisa

drawing from personal experience here in northern ireland and in england nursing assistants have always taken phone calls i'm not sure what the big deal is!