Advanced practice registered nurses, extending the time limit for emergency rule procedures, providing an exemption from emergency rule procedures, and granting rule-making authority. (FE)

The holder of an APRN license may append the title “A.P.R.N." to his or her name, as well as a title corresponding to whichever specialty designations that the person possesses. The bill prohibits any person from using the title “A.P.R.N.," and from otherwise indicating that he or she is an APRN, unless the person is licensed by the board as an APRN. The bill also prohibits the use of titles and abbreviations corresponding to a recognized role unless the person has a specialty designation for that role. However, the bill allows an APRN to delegate a task or order to another clinically trained health care worker if the task or order is within the scope of the APRN's practice, the APRN is competent to perform the task or issue the order, and the APRN has reasonable evidence that the health care worker is minimally competent to perform the task or issue the order under the circumstances. The bill requires an APRN to adhere to professional standards when managing situations that are beyond the advanced practice nurse's expertise.

Under the bill, when an APRN renews his or her APRN license, the board must grant the person the renewal of both the person's RN license and the person's APRN license. The bill requires all APRNs to complete continuing education requirements each biennium in clinical pharmacology or therapeutics relevant to the APRN's area of practice and to satisfy certain other requirements when renewing a license.

Practice of nurse-midwifery This bill repeals licensure and practice requirements specific to nurse-midwives and the practice of nurse-midwifery, including specific requirements to practice with an obstetrician. Under the bill, “certified nurse-midwife" is one of the four recognized roles for APRNs, and a person who practices nurse-midwifery under current law who satisfies the APRN licensure requirements may apply for and receive an APRN license and a certified nurse-midwife specialty designation, except that the bill also requires that a person applying for a certified nurse-midwife specialty designation be certified by a national certifying body approved by the board.

Advanced practice registered nurse prescribers Under current law, a person licensed as an RN may apply to the board for a certificate to issue prescription orders if the person meets certain requirements established by the board. An RN holding a certificate is subject to various practice requirements and limitations established by the board and must possess malpractice liability insurance in an amount determined by the board.

The bill eliminates certificates to issue prescription orders and replaces them with permits to issue prescription orders. The bill allows the holder of an APRN license to apply for a permit or for an applicant for an APRN license to apply for a permit concurrently with his or her APRN license application. The bill requires the board to establish the appropriate education, training, or experience requirements that a registered nurse must satisfy to be granted a permit to issue prescription orders. As under current law, an APRN holding a permit is subject to various practice requirements and limitations established by the board.

The bill repeals a provision concerning the ability of advanced practice nurses who are certified to issue prescription orders and who are required to work in collaboration with or under the supervision of a physician to obtain and practice under a federal waiver to dispense narcotic drugs to individuals for addiction treatment.

Other changes The bill makes numerous other changes throughout the statutes relating to APRNs and APRN prescribers, including various terminology changes and technical changes relating to the Nurse Licensure Compact.