CR_15-099 Renewal, reinstatement and standards of practice

STATE OF WISCONSIN

Board of Nursing

IN THE MATTER OF RULE-MAKING PROCEEDINGS BEFORE THE

BOARD OF NURSING

ORDER OF THE BOARD OF NURSING

ADOPTING RULES

(CLEARINGHOUSE RULE 15-099)

ORDER

An order of the Board of Nursing to repeal ch. N 5 and N 6.02 (4); to renumber N 6.02 (1); to amend N 6.02 (11) and (12), 6.03 (2) and (3), 6.04 (1), 6.04 (2) (intro), 6.04 (2) (b) and 6.04 (3) (intro), (a) and (b); to repeal and recreate N 6.02 (5) and 6.04 (3) (c); to create N 2 Subchapter V, N 6.02 (1) and 6.02 (10m), relating to renewal, reinstatement and standards of practice.

Analysis prepared by the Department of Safety and Professional Services .

ANALYSIS

Statutes interpreted: ss. 441.01 (7) , 441.001 (3) and (4) , Stats.

Statutory authority: ss. 15.08 (5) (b) , and 441.01 (3) , Stats.

Explanation of agency authority:

Each examining board shall promulgate rules for its own guidance and for the guidance of the profession to which it pertains and define and enforce professional conduct and unethical practices not inconsistent with the law relating to the particular profession. s. 15.08 (5) (b)

The board may establish minimum standards or schools for professional nurses and schools for licensed practical nurses, including all related clinical units and facilities, and make and provide periodic surveys and consultations to such schools. It may also establish rules to prevent unauthorized persons from practicing professional nursing. It shall approve all rules for the administration of this chapter in accordance with ch. 227 . s . 441.01(3) , Stats.

Related statute or rule: n/a

Plain language analysis:

The Board updated the current renewal chapter to reflect current practices and remove outdate d references. The Board also updated the standards of practice chapter to current nursing practice standards.

Sections 1 and 2 repeal the current chapter 5 relating to renewal and creates a new subchapter in Chapter 2 . The placement of the renewal and reinstatement provisions as a subsection of the chapter on licensure makes sense as it relates to licensure. This section clarifies that a person who has an expired license may not reapply for a new credential under the initial application process. A person renewing a license within 5 years is required to pay a renewal fee, any late fees and the workforce survey fee and complete the workforce survey. A person renewing after 5 years is required to pay the renewal fee, late fee, and workforce survey fee and evidence of employment requiring a nursing license within the last five years or complete a nursing refresher course. A person who failed to renew a credential within 5 years with unmet disciplinary requirements or has a license which has been surrendered or revoked may apply for reinstatement by showing evidence of rehabilitation or change in circumstances, completing any unfilled disciplinary requirements and if the person has not had an active license in the past five years complete the requirements for renewal beyond 5 years. If a license has been revoked, the person’s license may not be reinstated earlier than one year following revocation.

Section 3 renumbers the definition of “basic nursing care” in order to make room alphabetically for a new definition.

Section 4 creates a definition for “advanced practice nurse prescriber”. An advanced practice nurse prescriber is a registered nurse who holds an advanced practice nurse prescriber certificate.

Section 5 repeals the definition of “delegated medical act”.

Section 6 repeals the definition of “delegated nursing act” and creates a definition of “delegated act”. A delegated act is an act delegated to a registered nurse or license practical nurse.

Section 7 creates a definition of “provider”. A provider is a physician, podiatrist, dentist, optometrist or advanced practice nurse prescriber.

Section 8 updates the definitions to reflect a R.N. or L.P.N. includes those who have the privilege to practice in Wisconsin under the Nurse Licensure Compact.

Section s 9 and 10 updates the delegated acts terminology by removing the references to medical and nursing acts, uses the term provider instead of listing the various professions and updates the formatting to current drafting style.

Section 11 updates to current drafting style by adding “do all of the following:”

Section 12 updates the delegated acts terminology.

Section 13 updates to current drafting style.

Section 14 repeals and recreates a provision for an LPN to accept the charge nurse position in a nursing home only if prepared to do so based upon education, training and experience. The rewording of this provision is to provide more clarity.

Summary of, and comparison with, existing or proposed federal regulation: None

Comparison with rules in adjacent states:

Illinois : A license within 5 years of expiration is renewed by paying a fee and completion of 20 hours of continuing education. After 5 years a license is renewed by evidence of active practice in another state and completion of an approved licensure examination. A LPN accepts delegated acts from a RN, APN, or a physician assistant, physician, dentist or podiatrist. A delegated act, to or by an RN, is not distinguished as a medical or nursing delegated act. Practice as a RN means the full scope of nursing for which the registered nurse is properly trained.

Iowa : A license is renewed by paying a fee, attesting that Iowa is the primary state of residence and completion of continuing education and mandatory reporter training. RN minimum standards do not include practices ascribed to the advanced registered nurse practitioner. In executing the medical regimen prescribed, the RN shall notify the physician. A RN may delegate nursing tasks. An LPN shall perform services under the supervision of a RN or physician and may not perform any activity requiring the knowledge and skill ascribed to a RN.

Michigan : A license is renewed by payment of paying fees and completion of continuing education. Only a RN may delegate nursing acts, functions or tasks.

Minnesota: A license is renewed by paying a fee and completion of continuing education. Minnesota has a definition of delegation referring to the transfer of authority to another nurse or competent, unlicensed assistive person to perform a specific nursing task or activity in a specific situation. A LPN performs nursing standards at the direction of a registered nurse, advanced practice registered nurse or other licensed health care provider. A RN performs nursing standards recognized by the board. A RN receives delegations from a licensed health care provider and delegates nursing tasks. There is not a definition for health care provider.

Summary of factual data and analytical methodologies:

The Board conducted a comprehensive review and updated the renewal and standards of practice chapters in order to bring them up-to-date with current practice.

Analysis and supporting documents used to determine effect on small business or in preparation of economic impact analysis :

This rule was posted for economic comments and none were received.

Fiscal Estimate and Economic Impact Analysis:

The Fiscal Estimate and Economic Impact Analysis is attached.

Effect on small business :

These proposed rules do not have an economic impact on small businesses, as defined in s. 227.114 (1) , Stats. The Department’s Regulatory Review Coordinator may be contacted by email at Eric.Esser @wisconsin.gov , or by calling (608) 26 7-2435 .

Agency contact person :

Sharon Henes, Administrative Rules Coordinator , Department of Safety and Professional Services , Division of Board Services, 1400 East Washington Avenue, Room 151, P.O. Box 8366 , Madison, Wisconsin 53708; telephone [phone] ; email at Sharon.Henes @wisconsin.gov .

TEXT OF RULE

Section 1. Subchapter V of N 2 is created to read:

SUBCHAPTER V

RENEWAL

N 2.40 Renewal . (1) General. A person with an expired credential may not reapply for a credential using the initial application process.

(2) Renewal within 5 years. A person renewing the credential within 5 years shall do all of the following:

(a) Pay the renewal fee as determined by the department under s. 440.03(9 )( a) , Stats. and any applicable late renewal fee.

(b) Pay a nursing workforce survey fee.

(c) Complete the nursing workforce survey to the satisfaction of the board.

(3) Renewal after 5 years. This subsection does not apply to credential holders who have unmet disciplinary requirements or whose credential has been surrendered or revoked. A person renewing the credential after 5 years shall do all of the following:

  (a) Pay the renewal fee as determined by the department under s. 440.03(9 )( a) , Stats. and the late renewal fee.

  (b) Pay a nursing workforce survey fee.

    (c) Complete the nursing workforce survey to the satisfaction of the board.

  (d) Meet one of the following requirements:

  1. Documentation of employment requiring a nursing license within the last five years.

  2. Completion of a board approved nursing refresher course or education equivalent to a nursing refresher course. A nursing refresher course requires a limited license for the purpose of completing the clinical component of the course.

  NOTE: The licensee may request the Board grant a limited license for the sole purpose of completeing a nurse refresher course.

N 2.41 Reinstatement. A credential holder who has unmet disciplinary requirements and failed to renew the credential within 5 years or whose credential has been surrendered or revoked may apply to have the credential reinstated in accordance with all of the following:

( 1 ) Evidence of completion of the requirements in s. N 2.40(3) if the license has not been active within 5 years.

( 2 ) Evidence of completion of the disciplinary requirements, if applicable.

( 3 ) Evidence of rehabilitation or change in circumstances warranting reinstatement.

(4) A revoked license may not be reinstated earlier than one year following revocation. This subsection does not apply to a license that is revoked under s. 440.12 , Stats .

Section 2. Chapter N 5 is repealed.

Section 3. N 6.02 (1) is renumbered to N 6.02 (1m).

Section 4. N 6.02(1) is created to read:

N 6.02 (1 ) “ Advanced practice nurse prescriber” means a registered nurse who holds an advance practice nurse prescriber certificate under 441.16, Stats.

Section 5. N 6.02 (4) is repealed.

Section 6. N 6.02 (5) is repealed and recreated to read:

N 6.02 (5) “Delegated act” means acts delegated to a registered nurse or licensed practical nurse.

Section 7. N 6.02 (10m) is created to read:

N 6.02 (10m) “Provider” means a physician, podiatrist, dentist, optometrist or advanced practice nurse provider.

Section 8. N 6.02 (11) and (12) are amended to read:

N 6.02 (11 ) “ R.N.” means a registered nurse licensed under ch. 441 , Stats. or a nurse who has a privilege to practice in Wisconsin under s. 441.50 , Stats.

(12) “L.P.N.” means a licensed practical nurse licensed under ch. 441 , Stats. or a nurse who has a privilege to practice in Wisconsin under s. 441.50 , Stats.

Section 9. N 6.03 (2) and (3) are amended to read:

N 6.03 (2) Performance of delegated medical acts. In the performance of delegated medical acts an R.N. shall do all of the following :

  (a) Accept only those delegated medical acts for which there are protocols or written or verbal orders ; .

  (b) Accept only those delegated medical acts for which the R.N. is competent to perform based on his or her nursing education, training or experience ; .

  (c) Consult with a physician, podiatrist, dentist , or optometrist provider in cases where the R.N. knows or should know a delegated medical act may harm a patient ; and, .

  (d) Perform delegated medical acts under the general supervision or direction of a physician, podiatrist, dentist or optometrist provider .

(3) Supervision and direction of delegated nursing acts. In the supervision and direction of delegated nursing acts an R.N. shall do all of the following :

  (a) Delegate tasks commensurate with educational preparation and demonstrated abilities of the person supervised ; .

  (b) Provide direction and assistance to those supervised ; .

  (c) Observe and monitor the activities of those supervised ; and , .

  (d) Evaluate the effectiveness of acts performed under supervision.

Section 10. N 6.04 (1) is amended to read:

N 6.04 Standards of practice for licensed practical nursing . (1) Performance of acts in basic patient situations. In the performance of acts in basic patient situations, the L.P.N., shall, under the general supervision of an R.N. or the direction of a physician, podiatrist, dentist or , optometrist provider :

  (a) Accept only patient care assignments which the L.P.N. is competent to perform ; .

  (b) Provide basic nursing care ; .

  (c) Record nursing care given and report to the appropriate person changes in the condition of a patient ; .

  (d) Consult with an R.N., physician, podiatrist, dentist, optometrist a provider in cases where an L.P.N. knows or should know a delegated nursing or medical act may harm a patient ; and .

  (e) Perform the following other acts when applicable:

    1. Assist with the collection of data ; .

    2. Assist with the development and revision of a nursing care plan ; .

    3. Reinforce the teaching provided by an R.N. , physician, podiatrist, dentist or optometrist provider and provide basic health care instruction ; or .

    4. Participate with other health team members in meeting basic patient needs.

Section 11. N 6.04 (2) (intro) is amended to read:

N 6.04 (2 ) Performance of acts in complex patient situations. In the performance of acts in complex patient situations the L.P.N. shall do all of the following :

Section 12. N 6.04 (2) (b) is amended to read:

N 6.04 (2) (b ) Perform delegated nursing or medical acts beyond basic nursing care under the direct supervision of an R.N., physician, podiatrist, dentist or optometrist a provider . An L.P.N. shall, upon request of the board, provide documentation of his or her nursing education, training or experience which prepares the L.P.N. to competently perform these assignments.

Section 13. N 6.04 (3) (intro), (a) and (b) are amended to read:

N 6.04 (3 ) Assumption of charge nurse position in nursing homes. In assuming the position of charge nurse in a nursing home as defined in s. 50.04 (2) (b) , Stats., an L.P.N. shall do all of the following :

  (a) Follow written protocols and procedures developed and approved by an R.N. ; .

  (b) Manage and direct the nursing care and other activities of L.P.N.s and nursing support personnel under the general supervision of an R.N. ; and , .

Section 14. N 6.04 (3) (c) is repealed and recreated to read:

N 6.04 (3) (c ) Accept the charge nurse position only if prepared for the responsibilities of charge nurse based upon education, training and experience beyond the practical nurse curriculum. The L.P.N. shall, upon request of the board, provide documentation of the nursing education, training or experience which prepared the L.P.N. to competently assume the position of charge nurse.

Section 15 . EFFECTIVE DATE. The rules adopted in this order shall take effect on the first day of the month following publication in the Wisconsin administrative register, pursuant to s. 227.22 (2) (intro.) , Stats.

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