Failure to Monitor Nursing Licensure Status
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to ensure adequate administrative oversight by not monitoring the licensure status of its nursing staff. Specifically, an LPN worked eight shifts over a period of twenty-three days after her nursing license had expired. During these shifts, the LPN was the only licensed nurse present on the evening shift, providing care to residents without a valid license. The lapse was discovered when the LPN self-reported to an administrative nurse that she had forgotten to renew her license. At the time of the incident, the facility did not have a system in place to verify that all licensed nursing staff maintained active licensure. Administrative staff confirmed that they relied on staff to be responsible for their own license renewals and did not conduct regular checks to ensure compliance. This oversight resulted in the LPN working without a valid license, contrary to state requirements and facility policy.