Can programs use lab assistants? What are their qualifications? What can they do? Are they considered faculty?
Many nursing programs use lab assistants to manage the nursing lab. They are not nursing faculty and they cannot teach students. The qualifications and expectations for the lab assistant should be provided in the job description. Some activities that might be included in their job description are: • maintaining lab supplies and equipment • scheduling students’ lab times • organizing the laboratory Only qualified faculty can evaluate student performance in the nursing lab and this usually does not include the lab assistant. If the lab assistant is an RN, they may follow a lab procedure and check off students’ practice in the lab (not evaluate students). The ratio of faculty to students in the nursing lab should follow requirements in 214.10 and 215.10 Management of Clinical Learning Experiences with a l:10 ratio where the faculty is the only individual supervising students.
