When a Graduate Nurse(GN) or Graduate Vocational Nurse (GVN) has completed all requirements for the nursing program attended, and has received permission to test for nursing boards, must the preceptor co-sign the nursing assessment, medication administration, and other records for patients assigned to the GN/GVN?
Besides obtaining approval to sit for the NCLEX, a student who has successfully completed a nursing program must also hold a current valid temporary permit from the Board to practice as a GN or GVN in the state of Texas. Assuming the graduate has this, he/she may not practice in an independent setting (such as home care) until licensed; however, the BON has no requirements for co-signatures on anything. In fact, we highly discourage a nurse from co-signing anything he/she did not directly witness or immediately verify personally. Co-signature implies that the signer agrees in total and was either witness to, or went immediately behind the GN/GVN to assess and verify the findings of the GN/GVN.
Co-signatures may be necessary for certain nursing tasks, such as witnessing the wastage of a unit-dosed amount of a narcotic. Such requirements are beyond the jurisdiction of the BON. Contacting the appropriate licensing authority, or an applicable credentialing organization (such as the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Hospitals and Organizations) for any regulations specific to the practice setting, is recommended.