> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.phbhealth.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Triage scope and acuity

> What a nurse decides at triage, what needs a verified licence, and what a nurse cannot do.

The steps for triage, acuity, hand-off and licence requirements are in [Triage](/guides/nurse/triage). This page covers the limits.

## Triage status

| Status | Meaning |
| - | - |
| `needs_triage` | The front desk sent the patient. Nobody has triaged them yet. |
| `in_triage` | Reserved. Nothing sets it today. |
| `triaged` | A nurse saved vitals and an acuity. |

## What a nurse cannot do

A verified NMCN licence lets you triage, record vitals, write nursing notes and chart on the ward. It does not let you:

* **Prescribe.** Prescribing needs a verified doctor's licence (MDCN).
* **Order lab tests.** Only a verified clinician can order tests.
* **Admit a patient.** Assigning a bed needs the role `clinician`.


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