Failure to Verify Active LPN License for Agency Nurse
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to ensure that a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) working in the facility held an active and unencumbered license, as required by state law and facility policy. The LPN in question was employed through an agency and later applied to work directly for the facility. The Administrator reported that the facility relied on the agency to verify the nurse's credentials and did not independently verify the license status of agency nurses. There was no policy in place for hiring agency nurses, and the facility did not maintain employee records for them. Documentation revealed that the LPN worked multiple shifts through the agency while the license was expired or encumbered, and the facility only confirmed the expired status after the LPN had already worked these shifts. Further review of records indicated that the LPN's license had been placed on probation by the Arkansas State Board of Nursing, with explicit restrictions prohibiting employment through a staffing agency. Despite this, the LPN continued to work in the facility via the agency. Facility policies required verification of licensure for all new hires, but this process was not followed for agency staff. The deficiency was identified through interviews, document reviews, and policy examinations, which collectively demonstrated the facility's failure to ensure compliance with licensure requirements for nursing staff.