Failure to Verify RN License Status and Ensure Competency Compliance
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to ensure that licensed nurses, specifically a registered nurse (RN), had the appropriate competencies and skill sets to care for residents. The facility did not check and verify the RN's license status, which was on probation with specific restrictions, including limited work hours, required supervision, and mandatory audits and evaluations. The Director of Staff Development (DSD) and Director of Nursing (DON) were unaware of the RN's probationary status and the associated stipulations. The RN was allowed to work overtime and without the required supervision, contrary to the conditions set by the licensing board. Additionally, the facility did not maintain documentation of completed nursing skills and competencies for the RN, nor did it monitor or audit the RN's documentation and work performance as required. Interviews with facility staff revealed a lack of awareness and oversight regarding the RN's probationary status and the necessary compliance measures. The DSD could not recall when the RN's license was last checked, and the DON was not informed about the probation. The facility's policy required verification and documentation of licensure, but these procedures were not followed. As a result, there was a potential for all 113 residents in the facility to not receive proper and safe care due to the lack of verification and monitoring of the RN's qualifications and compliance with probationary requirements.