Section 246-840-710 - Violations of standards of nursing conduct or practiceThe following conduct may subject a nurse to disciplinary action under the Uniform Disciplinary Act, chapter 18.130 RCW:
(1) Engaging in conduct described in RCW 18.130.180;(2) Failure to adhere to the standards in WAC 246-840-700 which may include, but are not limited to: (a) Failing to assess and evaluate a client's status or failing to institute nursing intervention as required by the client's condition;(b) Willfully or repeatedly failing to report or document a client's symptoms, responses, progress, medication, or other nursing care accurately and legibly;(c) Willfully or repeatedly failing to make entries, altering entries, destroying entries, making incorrect or illegible entries and making false entries in employer or employee records or client records pertaining to the giving of medication, treatments, or other nursing care;(d) Willfully or repeatedly failing to administer medications and treatments in accordance with nursing standards;(e) Willfully or repeatedly failing to follow the policy and procedure for the wastage of medications where the nurse is employed or working;(f) Nurses shall not sign any record attesting to the wastage of controlled substances unless the wastage was personally witnessed;(g) Willfully causing or contributing to physical or emotional abuse to the client;(h) Engaging in sexual misconduct with a client as defined in WAC 246-840-740; or(i) Failure to protect clients from unsafe practices or conditions, abusive acts, and neglect;(3) Failure to adhere to the standards in WAC 246-840-700(2) which may include:(a) Delegating nursing care function or responsibilities to a person the nurse knows or has reason to know lacks the ability or knowledge to perform the function or responsibility, or delegating to unlicensed persons those functions or responsibilities the nurse knows or has reason to know are to be performed only by licensed persons. This section should not be construed as prohibiting delegation to family members and other caregivers exempted by RCW 18.79.040(3), 18.79.050, 18.79.060 or 18.79.240; or(b) Failure to supervise those to whom nursing activities have been delegated. Such supervision shall be adequate to prevent an unreasonable risk of harm to clients;(4)(a) Performing or attempting to perform nursing techniques and procedures for which the nurse lacks the appropriate knowledge, experience, and education and failing to obtain instruction, supervision and consultation for client safety;(b) Violating the confidentiality of information or knowledge concerning the client, except where required by law or for the protection of the client; or(c) Writing prescriptions for drugs unless authorized to do so by the commission;(5) Other violations: (a) Appropriating for personal use medication, supplies, equipment, or personal items of the client, agency, or institution. The nurse shall not solicit or borrow money, materials or property from clients;(b) Practicing nursing while affected by alcohol or drugs, or by a mental, physical or emotional condition to the extent that there is an undue risk that they, as a nurse, would cause harm to themself or other persons; or(c) Willfully abandoning clients by leaving a nursing assignment, when continued nursing care is required by the condition of the cli-ent(s), without transferring responsibilities to appropriate personnel or caregiver;(d) Conviction of a crime involving physical abuse or sexual abuse including convictions of any crime or plea of guilty, including crimes against persons as defined in RCW 43.43.830 and crimes involving the personal property of a patient, whether or not the crime relates to the practice of nursing; or(e) Failure to make mandatory reports to the Nursing Care Quality Assurance Commission concerning unsafe or unprofessional conduct as required in WAC 246-840-730;(6) The nurse shall only practice nursing in the state of Washington with a current Washington license;(7) The licensed nurse shall not permit their license to be used by another person;(8) The nurse shall have knowledge of the statutes and rules governing nursing practice and shall function within the legal scope of nursing practice;(9) The nurse shall not aid, abet or assist any other person in violating or circumventing the laws or rules pertaining to the conduct and practice of professional registered nursing and licensed practical nursing; or(10) The nurse shall not disclose the contents of any licensing examination or solicit, accept or compile information regarding the contents of any examination before, during or after its administration.Wash. Admin. Code § 246-840-710
Amended by WSR 22-23-130, Filed 11/21/2022, effective 12/22/2022Statutory Authority: RCW 18.79.110. 02-06-117, § 246-840-710, filed 3/6/02, effective 4/6/02. Statutory Authority: Chapter 18.79 RCW. 97-13-100, § 246-840-710, filed 6/18/97, effective 7/19/97.