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Being asked to do something outside your scope

What to do if you're asked to do something you're not registered or trained for.

Written by Stephen Paul

You should only ever do what you're registered, trained and competent to do. That isn't a Florence rule, it's how your registration works, and it's yours to protect.

If you're asked to do something outside that, say no. You're allowed to. Tell the nurse in charge it's outside your scope and you're not able to do it.

This isn't being difficult. A care home that's short-staffed may genuinely not know what your role covers, particularly if they don't use Florence often. Most of the time, saying so is the end of it.

If they insist, don't do it. Call us on the spot if you need to: 647-560-7881.

When to stop and check: you're asked to do a task you've never been trained for, to work as a role you're not registered as, to give medication when that isn't part of your role, or to sign for something you didn't do.

Being short-staffed doesn't change your scope. If a unit is short and you're being asked to cover something you shouldn't, that's the care home's problem to solve, not yours to absorb.

Tell us afterwards at hello.ca@florenceapp.com, even if it was sorted out on the day. If it's happening at one location we need to know, because it usually means something we should be talking to them about.

If you're a nurse, your CNO registration is yours and it follows you for the rest of your career. No single shift is worth putting it at risk.

If you're ever unsure in the moment, the safest answer is to stop and ask. Nobody has ever been in trouble with us for checking.

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