LAC 46:XLVII.1706
LAC 46:XLVII.1706. Employment of Practical Nursing Students and Unsuccessful Candidates on the NCLEX-PN
Cite as La. Admin. Code tit. 46, pt. XLVII, § 1706
A. Practical nursing students and unsuccessful candidates on the NCLEX-PN licensing examination employed in nursing settings may be employed as unlicensed persons and perform procedures and/or tasks for which they have been educated and cleared by their practical nursing program and/or by graduation from a board approved practical nursing program.
B. To assist these individuals to be employed in an acceptable position whereby they contribute to patient care and yet do not jeopardize the welfare of the patient nor legally implicate themselves or their employing institution, the board has adopted the following policies for performance of nursing activities by currently enrolled practical nursing students and practical nursing graduates who are within 12 months of their practical nursing program completion date and have been unsuccessful on the NCLEX-PN examination.
1. The employer shall:
a. document the unlicensed status of these individuals as currently enrolled practical nursing students or practical nursing graduates who are within 12 months of their practical nursing program completion date and have been unsuccessful on the NCLEX-PN examination;
b. develop and review the written job description with the employee;
c. provide proper orientation and training for the position;
d. provide direct supervision of these unlicensed personnel by a registered nurse or physician;
e. inform all nursing personnel that the practical nursing student and the unsuccessful candidate may perform procedures and/or tasks enumerated in the job description.
2. Employers shall not jeopardize the potential for licensure of the practical nursing student or the unsuccessful candidate for licensure in order to augment their staffing. It is understood that these unlicensed personnel may not perform the nursing tasks and procedures enumerated in their specific job description independently without the requisite direct supervision of the registered nurse or physician.