(Posted Feb. 3 at 5:oo p.m. Central)
Dear Fellow MNA Member,
We wanted to share with you the very latest on a critical patient safety issue involving the Minnesota Board of Nursing and the scope of practice for Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs).
The MNA has serious concerns for the safety of patients and nurses regarding the Board of Nursing’s proposal to re-interpret and expand the current scope of practice of a Licensed Practical Nurse in the areas of assessment, delegation, and supervision with no additional education.
At today’s Board of Nursing Practice Committee Meeting, members of MNA, faculty members of Minnesota nursing schools and LPNs testified for more than 90 minutes about this issue. Our voices were nearly unanimous in calling for more clarity and transparency from the Board of Nursing about the specifics of this convoluted and confusing proposal before any formal action is taken.
Why is the LPN scope of practice issue so important? For one, its approval by the Board of Nursing would result in legitimizing the current illegal practice by employers of interchanging RNs and LPNs, jeopardizing the safety of patients in MN health care settings.
While we were told today (Wednesday) that the Board will not take any direct action during its full board meeting on Thursday morning (Feb. 4), we have reason to believe this issue will once again be discussed in great detail. And it is critical that MNA members once again attend to ensure our concerns are understood and our voices heard.
Learn more about the issue and MNA’s concerns, and let us know if you can attend Thursday’s Board of Nursing meeting, which starts at 9 a.m. and takes place at the address below:
Minnesota Board of Nursing
2829 University Ave SE Suite 200
Minneapolis, MN 55414
Phone: (612) 617-2270
If you cannot attend, you can call the Board of Nursing at 612-617-2270 to voice your concern as an RN or LPN. Thank you for joining us in our efforts to ensure the safety of Minnesota patients and nurses!
If you are interested click here to learn all about msn vs dnp.
In solidarity,
Linda Hamilton, President
Minnesota Nurses Association