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Committee advances discussion on allowing LPNs to perform portions of assisted-living assessments with RN oversight
Summary
Senate File 2537 would allow licensed practical nurses to perform focused assessment tasks in assisted living, with registered nurse review; supporters said it would help facilities manage staffing shortages.
Senator Ann Rasmussen brought Senate File 2537, a bill to permit licensed practical nurses (LPNs) to perform focused assessment tasks in assisted-living settings subject to registered nurse review and to clarify that LPNs may conduct focused assessments consistent with Chapter 148.171.
Nicole Matson of Care Providers of Minnesota told the committee the state faces persistent workforce shortages (more than 12,500 vacancies across senior care in the most recent survey) and that LPNs are trained to conduct focused assessments. Rachel Babcock, an assistant director of nursing at Willows Landing, described LPNs' training in head-to-toe assessment and said restoring the LPNs' ability to work to the top of their license would help facilities keep timely clinical evaluations.
Nancy Haugen, an RN and president of Elder Voice Advocates, testified in opposition unless safeguards were preserved. She stressed the statutory requirement that registered nurses perform initial and periodic comprehensive assessments and warned that comprehensive assessments synthesize multiple data points (skin, mobility, cognition, nutrition, vitals) and should remain an RN responsibility. Senators and witnesses discussed language in an adopted A1 amendment that preserves RN-performed comprehensive assessments at required intervals while allowing LPNs to document sections of the comprehensive reassessment for RN review.
The committee adopted the A1 author's amendment clarifying assessment intervals and language requested by the Minnesota Department of Health and the Board of Nursing, and then laid Senate File 2537 over for possible inclusion in an omnibus bill.
Why it matters: Assisted-living and other senior-care settings face nurse shortages; the bill aims to let LPNs contribute clinically while preserving RN oversight and statutory comprehensive-assessment requirements.
Actions at a glance: - A1 (author's) amendment to SF 2537: adopted; clarifies intervals and RN oversight. - Senate File 2537: laid over for possible inclusion in an omnibus bill.
