Can the registered nurse perform a hospital, residential treatment facility, or skilled nursing facility (SNF) admission assessment?

The nursing laws and rules do not prohibit the competent and appropriately trained registered nurse from initiating the admission of a patient to a hospital or SNF. Joint Commission Nursing Assessment standards require the registered nurse to perform the nursing assessment within twenty-four hours after admission to a hospital. The nurse should be aware that other laws and rules may apply such as facility laws and rules or the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid regulations.