Question
Do any nursing activities require the registered nurse to have a health care practitioner on the premises?
Answer
The nursing law and rule does not require an authorized health care practitioner to be on the premises when the registered nurse provides care in any setting. A facility or supervisor may require direct or immediate supervision of specific activities or if there are concerns about competency for a specific nurse. An exception exists in the physician rules that require a physician to be on the immediate premises during the patient’s initial treatment when a nurse is performing laser therapy: WAC 246-919-605 Use of Laser, Light, Radiofrequency, and Plasma (LLRP) Devices as Applied to the Skin.
FAQ Category
General Scope of Practice
Audience