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 Nursing Practice > You Asked Us Online 

 Last modified June 10 , 2005  

Working with temporary registrants

Q

I am an RN in a large teaching hospital. Recently, my manager asked me to be a preceptor for a new staff person who just graduated from a university program and is waiting to write the national nursing exam. She holds Temporary Class registration. Does this mean I am responsible for her practice?

A

The temporary member is accountable for her/his own competence (e.g., correct technique, and knowledge of the skill being performed) when performing any procedure, including a controlled act. The temporary member also needs to consider the appropriateness when determining her/his own competence and the client’s condition. Having the authority to perform an act does not automatically mean that it is appropriate to do so; therefore, temporary members are accountable for the care they provide to the clients.

Nurses who obtain Temporary Class registration with the College of Nurses are legally allowed to perform the controlled acts authorized to nursing when they have access to direct or indirect supervision by a General Class RN or RPN. These acts include performing a procedure below the dermis; inserting an instrument, hand or finger into a natural or artificial opening; and administering a substance by injection or inhalation.

Temporary Class members are responsible for identifying and addressing their learning needs and recognizing when supervision is required. As the preceptor providing supervision, you must be registered in the General Class as an RN or RPN. Your supervision may be direct or indirect depending on the identified learning needs, nature of care required, and the level of competence of the member according to her/his expertise and familiarity with the practice setting. To maximize the success of the process, your employer is responsible for providing sufficient resources to assist you and the new staff member.

Temporary Class members can identify themselves as temporary members [RN (temp) or RPN (temp)] within the approved facilities. As with any other registration class, they must practise within the standards set out by the College. Temporary Class registration is valid for six months. Should the temporary member fail the national exam, her/his registration is automatically revoked.

For additional information on temporary registration, including terms, limits and conditions, see the Temporary Registration fact sheet at www.cno.org.

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