Chapter 8 Proposed Changes
02- DEPARTMENT OF PROFESSIONAL AND FINANCIAL REGULATION
380 BOARD
OF NURSING
Chapter 8 REGULATIONS
RELATING TO ADVANCED PRACTICE REGISTERED NURSING
SUMMARY: This
chapter identifies the role of a registered professional nurse in
advanced practice registered nursing; implements the Board's authority
to approve the credentials for practice as a certified nurse practitioner,
certified nurse-midwife, certified registered nurse anesthetist,
and certified clinical nurse specialist; delineates the scope of
practice; and implements the Board's authority to grant prescriptive
authority.
Sec. 1. Definitions,
Special Provisions, and Scopes of Practice
1. Definitions
A. Advanced practice
registered nursing. "Advanced practice registered nursing"
(A.P.R.N.) means the practice of a registered professional
nurse who, on the basis of specialized education and experience,
is authorized under these rules to
deliver expanded professional health care.
B. Certified nurse
practitioner. "Certified nurse practitioner" (C.N.P.)
means a registered professional nurse who has received post-graduate
education designed to prepare the nurse for advanced practice
registered nursing in a specialty area in
nursing that has a defined scope of practice and has been certified
in the clinical specialty by a national certifying organization
acceptable to the Board.
C. Certified nurse-midwife.
"Certified nurse-midwife" (C.N.M.) means a registered
professional nurse who has received post-graduate education in
a nurse-midwifery program approved by the American College of
Nurse-Midwives and who has passed
the national certification examination administered by the American
College of Nurse-Midwives or the American College of Nurse-Midwives
Certification Council, Inc. (A.C.C.).
D. Certified registered
nurse anesthetist. "Certified registered nurse anesthetist"
(C.R.N.A.) means a registered professional nurse who has
received post-graduate education in a master's degree nurse anesthesia
program approved by the Council on Accreditation of Nurse Anesthesia
Educational Programs and who has passed the national certification
examination administered by the Council on Certification of
Nurse Anesthetists.
E. Certified clinical
nurse specialist. "Certified clinical nurse specialist"
(C.N.S.) means a registered professional nurse who has
received post-graduate education in a master's degree program
accredited by the National League for Nursing (N.L.N.) Or American
Association of Colleges of Nursing in a specialty area in nursing,
and who has been certified as a clinical nurse specialist by the
American Nurses Credentialing Center (A.N.C.C.) or has been certified
in the clinical specialty by a national certifying organization
acceptable to the Board.
F. Health care
provider. "Health care provider" may include, but
is not limited to: advanced practice registered nurse, counselor,
dietician, licensed practical nurse, occupational therapist, pharmacist,
physical therapist, physician, physician assistant, podiatrist,
psychologist, registered nurse, respiratory therapist, social
worker, speech therapist.
G. Primary health
care. "Primary health care" means health care which
clients receive at the first point of contact with the health
care system and is continuous and comprehensive. Primary health
care includes: health promotion; prevention of
disease and disability; health maintenance; rehabilitation; identification
of health problems; management of health problems; and referral.
H. Practice requirement
in an expanded specialty role. "Practice requirement
in an expanded specialty role" means clinical practice in
the provision of primary health care or other activities which
have a clinical focus. Other activities include, but are not limited
to, teaching, consultation, and research related to the specialty
area of practice and certification.
I. Assessment.
"Assessment" means a process of collecting information
regarding health status of patients including, but not limited
to: illness; response to illness; health risks of individuals,
families and groups; resources; strengths and weaknesses
and coping behaviors; and the environment. The skills employed
during the assessment process include, but are not limited to:
obtaining patient histories; conducting physical examinations;
and ordering, interpreting, and conducting a broad range of diagnostic
procedures.
J. Diagnosis.
"Diagnosis" means identifying actual or potential health
problems or need for intervention, based on analysis of the data
collected.
K. Plan. "Plan"
means establishing a therapeutic goal based on the diagnosis.
L. Evaluation.
"Evaluation" means determining the effectiveness of
interventions on health status of patients.
M. Case management.
"Case management" means the provision and/or coordination
of the health care that clients receive.
N. Collaboration.
"Collaboration" means working jointly with other health
care providers to provide patient care.
O. Consultation.
"Consultation" means communication with other health
care providers for the purpose of obtaining information and/or
advice.
P. Counseling.
"Counseling" means providing advice and/or making recommendations
to patients based on mutual exchange of ideas or information.
Q. Guidance.
"Guidance" means providing instruction and/or education
to patients.
R. Intervention.
"Intervention" means utilizing measures that promote
health; protecting against disease; treating illness in its earliest
stages; managing acute and chronic illness; and limiting disability.
Interventions may include, but are not limited to, issuance of
orders; provision of direct nursing care; prescription of medications
or other therapies; and consultation with or referral to other
health care providers.
S. Referral.
"Referral" means directing patients to other resources
for the purpose of assessment and/or intervention.
T. Recent graduate.
"Recent graduate" means an applicant who has completed
an advanced practice registered nurse program within the previous
12 months.
U. Initial approval.
"Initial approval" means the first approval granted
by the Board following the applicant's completion of an advanced
practice registered nurse program.
V. Formulary.
"Formulary" means those non-scheduled drugs which are
Food and Drug Administration (F.D.A.) approved and those listed
on Schedules II, III, IIIN, IV, and V.
2. Special provisions
A. A registered professional
nurse who is approved by the Board to practice as an advanced
practice registered nurse prior to January 1, 1996 is considered
to have met the requirements of 32 M.R.S.A. Section 2201-A(2)
and (3) regarding education and certification.
B. An applicant for
approval as an advanced practice registered nurse who has been
approved as such in another jurisdiction may be approved by the
Board as set forth below:
(1) If approved
in another jurisdiction prior to September 8, 1993, an
applicant must have completed an advanced practice registered
nurse program.
(2) If approved
in another jurisdiction on or after September 8, 1993,
an applicant must have completed an advanced practice registered
nurse program, and must hold a national certification in the
specialty area of practice.
C. As of January
1, 2006, an applicant for initial approval as an advanced
practice registered nurse in Maine must hold a master's degree
with preparation in the specialty area for which application is
made.
D. As of January
1, 2006, an applicant from another U.S. jurisdiction seeking
approval by endorsement as an advanced practice registered nurse
in Maine must have met requirements comparable to what was current
Maine law at the time of graduation.
3. Scopes of Practice
A. Certified nurse
practitioner. The certified nurse practitioner shall provide
only those health care services for which the certified nurse
practitioner is educationally and clinically prepared, and for
which competency has been maintained. The Board reserves the right
to make exceptions. Such health care services, for which the certified
nurse practitioner is independently responsible and accountable,
includes:
(1) obtaining a
complete health data base that includes a health history, physical
examination, and screening and diagnostic evaluation
(2) interpreting
health data by identifying wellness and risk factors and variations
from norms
(3) diagnosing and
treating common diseases and human responses to actual and potential
health problems
(4) counseling individuals
and families
(5) consulting and/or
collaborating with other health care providers and community
resources
(6) referring client to other health care providers and community
resources.
B. Certified nurse-midwife.
The certified nurse-midwife provides only those health care services
for which the certified nurse-midwife is educationally and clinically
prepared and for which competency has been maintained. Such health
care services for which the certified nurse-midwife is independently
responsible and accountable includes:
(1) primary health care and case management of women during
pregnancy, childbirth, and the postpartum period
(2) primary health
care of the newborn up to age one
(3) provision of
gynecological care, family planning services, and treatment
of sexually transmitted diseases in contacts.
C. Certified registered
nurse anesthetist. The certified registered nurse anesthetist
formulates and implements a patient-specific plan for anesthesia
care which may include:
(1) a pre-anesthetic
assessment
(2) verification
of informed consent
(3) adjustments
and corrective actions as indicated.
For aspects of anesthesia
practice that require execution of the medical regimen, the
certified registered nurse anesthetist shall be responsible
and accountable to a
physician or dentist. Without limitation, coordination and appropriate
communication
shall be deemed to have occurred if the prescribing physician
or dentist shall have
signed the patient's anesthesia record. The certified registered
nurse anesthetist shall
practice:
(1) within the limits
of the nurse's individual education, training, and experience
(2) in accordance
with state laws, and
(3) consistent with
institutionally defined policies and clinical privileges.
D. Certified clinical
nurse specialist. The certified clinical nurse specialist
applies research-based knowledge, skills and experience to intervene
in human responses to complex health/illness problems. The certified
clinical nurse specialist:
(1) provides case
management skills to coordinate comprehensive health services
and ensure continuity of care
(2) evaluates client
progress in attaining expected outcomes
(3) consults with
other health care providers to influence care of clients, effect
change in systems, and enhance the ability of others to provide
health care
(4) performs additional
functions specific to the specialty area(s).
In addition to the
above, the certified psychiatric clinical nurse specialist may
independently assess, diagnose, and therapeutically intervene
in complex mental health problems using psychotherapy and other
interventions.
(5) The Board reserves
the right to make exceptions for approval of scope of practice
for those clinical nurse specialists in practice prior to January
1, 1996, based on consideration of national certification acceptable
to the board, educational and clinical preparation and practice
for which competency has been maintained.
Sec. 2. General Regulations
Relating to Certified Nurse Practitioners and Recent Graduates of
Nurse Practitioner Programs
1. Requirements for
initial approval to practice
A. Submits official
transcript from a nurse practitioner program approved by the appropriate
national accrediting body for that specific area of practice.
B. Submits evidence of current certification in the specialty
area of practice, if applicable.
C. Submits evidence
of a minimum of 1500 hours of practice in an expanded specialty
nursing role within 5 years preceding application, or have completed
a nurse practitioner program within 5 years preceding application.
If more than 5 years have
elapsed since completion of an advanced practice registered nurse
program and the applicant does not meet the practice requirement
of 1500 hours, the applicant shall complete 500 hours of clinical
practice supervised by a physician or nurse practitioner in the
same specialty area of practice.
D. Submits evidence
of satisfactory completion of 45 contact hours (or 3 credits)
of pharmacology as set forth in Section 6(3).
E. Submits the $25.00
100.00 approval fee, which is not refundable; an application
which remains incomplete after 12 months shall be considered void.
2. Temporary approval
for graduates of nurse practitioner programs
A. A nurse practitioner
must practice for a minimum of 24 months under the supervision
of a licensed physician, or a supervising nurse practitioner,
or be employed by a clinic or hospital that has a medical director
who is a licensed physician.
B. The applicant shall
identify and provide a statement of agreement from the
a supervisory relationship with a licensed physician or
nurse practitioner practicing in the same practice category
who will provide oversight for the nurse practitioner.
C. The applicant
identifying a supervising relationship shall:
(1) Obtain an
application from the Board to register a supervising relationship
as part of the initial authority to practice process, prior
to changing or adding a supervising relationship.
(2) Submit an
application including the appropriate fee.
C. D.
The nurse practitioner must submit to the Board written evidence
of completion of the required clinical experience.
D.
E. Evidence shall be submitted that the applicant has applied
for and is eligible to take, or has taken, the first available
certification examination in the specialty area of practice for
which application is made.
E. F.
The applicant may not practice as a nurse practitioner if unsuccessful
in 2 attempts to pass the certification examination within 2 years.
3. Requirements for
continuing approval to practice
A. Request for continuing
approval must be made concurrently with renewal of the registered
nurse license and must include evidence of current certification
by the appropriate national certifying body.
B. (Deleted effective
December 7, 1997)
C. The applicant shall
submit his/her assigned number from the Drug Enforcement Agency
(DEA), if applicable.
D. All applicants
shall submit the $25.00 100.00 approval fee, which
is not refundable.
(NOTE: SEE SECTION 8)
4. Certification
A. Only a registered
professional nurse whose credentials have been approved by the
Board may hold her/himself out to be and use the title of "certified
nurse practitioner" or "advanced practice registered
nurse."
B. Certification shall
not be required of a registered professional nurse who
was approved by this Board for practice as a nurse practitioner
prior to September 8, 1993.
C. The Board accepts
nurse practitioner certification conferred by national certifying
organizations such as, but not limited to: American Nurses Credentialing
Center; National Board of Pediatric Nurse Associates and Practitioners;
National Certification Corporation for the Obstetric, Gynecologic
and Neonatal Nursing Specialties; and American Academy of Nurse
Practitioners.
D. A nurse who is
no longer certified by the national organization for the specific
area of practice shall notify the Board immediately and shall
not practice as or use the titles of "certified nurse practitioner"
or "advanced practice registered nurse."
Sec. 3. General Regulations
Relating to Certified Nurse-Midwives
1. Requirements for
approval to practice
A. Submits evidence
of completion of a nurse-midwifery program approved by the American
College of Nurse-Midwives (A.C.N.M.).
B. Is certified by
the American College of Nurse-Midwives (A.C.N.M.) or the American
College of Nurse-Midwives Certification Council, Inc .(A.C.C.)
and upon successful completion of the certification examination
is enrolled in the A.C.N.M.'s Continuing Competency Assessment
Program or the A.C.C.'s Certification Maintenance Program.
C. Submits the fee
established by the Board for initial approval, which is not refundable;
an application which remains incomplete after 12 months shall
be considered void.
2. Temporary approval
to practice pending certification
A. Temporary approval
to practice pending certification may be granted for a period
not to exceed 12 months to a recent graduate of a nurse-midwifery
program who meets the requirements set forth in Section 3(1)(A)
and (C) and has applied to sit for the first available examination
given by the American College of Nurse-Midwives Certification
Council, Inc..
B. Evidence shall
be submitted that the applicant has applied for and is eligible
to take, or has taken, the initial A.C.C. certification examination.
3. Requirements for
continuing approval to practice
A. Request for continuing
approval must be made concurrently with renewal of the registered
nurse license and must include evidence of current certification
by the appropriate national certifying body.
B. An applicant shall
submit evidence of current certification by the A.C.C.
C. (Deleted effective
December 7, 1997)
D. The applicant shall
submit his/her assigned number from the Drug Enforcement Agency
(DEA), if applicable.
E. An applicant shall
submit the $25.00 100.00 approval fee, which is
not refundable.
(NOTE: SEE SECTION 8)
4. Certification
A. Only a registered
professional nurse whose credentials have been approved by the
Board may hold her/himself out to be and use the titles of "certified
nurse-midwife" or "advanced practice registered nurse."
B. Certification shall
not be required of a registered professional nurse who
was approved by this Board for practice as a nurse-midwife prior
to September 8, 1993.
C. A nurse-midwife
who is no longer certified by the A.C.C. shall notify the Board
immediately and shall not practice as or use the title of "certified
nurse-midwife" or "advanced practice registered nurse."
Sec. 4. General Regulations
Relating to Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists
1. Requirements for
approval to practice
A. Submits evidence
of completion of a master's degree nurse anesthesia program accredited
by the Council on Accreditation of Nurse Anesthesia Educational
Programs or its predecessors or successors.
B. Is certified by
the Council on Certification of Nurse Anesthetists and, as applicable,
recertified by the Council on Recertification of Nurse Anesthetists.
C. Submits the fee
established by the Board for initial approval, which is not refundable;
an application which remains incomplete after 12 months shall
be considered void.
2. Temporary approval
to practice pending certification
A. Temporary approval
to practice pending certification may be granted to a recent graduate
of an approved nurse anesthesia program who meets the requirements
in Section 4(1)(A) and (C) and has applied to sit for the first
available Council Certification Examination.
B. Such practice shall
be under the supervision of an anesthesiologist or a certified
registered nurse anesthetist.
C. Evidence shall
be submitted that the applicant has applied for and is eligible
to take the initial Council Certification Examination following
graduation.
D. The applicant will
identify her/himself as a graduate nurse anesthetist.
E. The applicant must
pass the Council Certification Examination within 12 months of
graduation. An applicant who fails the initial Council Certification
Examination must practice as set forth in Section 4(2)(B) and
(D).
3. Requirements for
continuing approval to practice
A. Request for continuing
approval must be made concurrently with renewal of the registered
nurse license and must include evidence of current certification
by the appropriate national certifying body.
B. An applicant shall submit evidence of recertification by the
Council on Recertification of Nurse Anesthetists.
C. (Deleted effective
December 7, 1997)
D. An applicant shall
submit the $25.00 100.00 approval fee, which is
not refundable.
(NOTE: SEE SECTION
8)
4. Certification
A. Only a registered
professional nurse whose credentials have been approved by the
Board may hold her/himself out to be and use the titles of "certified
registered nurse anesthetist" or "advanced practice
registered nurse."
B. Certification shall
not be required of a registered professional nurse who
was approved by the Board for practice as a nurse anesthetist
prior to September 8, 1993.
C. A nurse anesthetist
whose certification or recertification has been revoked by the
Councils on Certification/Recertification of Nurse Anesthetists
shall notify the Board immediately and shall not practice as or
use the title of "certified registered nurse
anesthetist" during the period of revocation.
Sec. 5. General Regulations
Relating to Certified Clinical Nurse Specialists
1. Requirements for
approval to practice
A. Submits evidence
of completion of a master's degree program in a clinical specialty
area accredited by the National League for Nursing or the American
Association of Colleges of Nursing. The program must have as its
objective the preparation of nurses to practice as clinical nurse
specialists.
B. Has been certified
in a clinical specialty area by a national certifying body acceptable
to the Board.
C. Submits the fee
established by the Board for initial approval, which is not refundable;
an application which remains incomplete after 12 months shall
be considered void.
2. Temporary approval
to practice pending certification
A. Temporary approval
to practice pending certification may be granted for a period
not to exceed 12 months to a graduate of a master's degree program
in a clinical specialty who meets the requirements set forth in
Section 5(1)(A) and (C). The applicant may not practice as a certified
clinical nurse specialist if unsuccessful on the certification
examination.
B. Evidence shall
be submitted that the applicant has applied for and is eligible
to take, or has taken, the first available certification examination
given by the American Nurses Credentialing Center or other specialty
area examination(s).
C. Evidence shall be submitted that the applicant has a master's
degree from a National League for Nursing or American Association
of Colleges of Nursing accredited program in the specialty area
for which the applicant will be taking the certification examination.
The program must have as its objective the preparation of nurses
to practice as clinical nurse specialists.
3. Requirements for
continuing approval to practice
A. Request for continuing
approval must be made concurrently with renewal of the registered
nurse license.
B. An applicant shall
submit evidence of recertification by the A.N.C.C. or other recertification
as defined in Section 5(1)(B).
C. (Deleted effective
December 7, 1997)
D. An applicant shall
submit the $25.00 100.00 approval fee, which is
not refundable.
(NOTE: SEE SECTION
8)
4. Certification
A. Only a registered
professional nurse whose credentials have been approved by the
Board may hold her/himself out to be and use the title of "certified
clinical nurse specialist" or "advanced practice registered
nurse."
B. A clinical nurse
specialist who is no longer certified shall notify the Board immediately
and shall not practice as or use the titles of "certified
clinical nurse specialist" or "advanced practice registered
nurse."
Sec. 6. General Regulations
Relating to Prescriptive and Dispensing Authority for Certified
Nurse Practitioners and Certified Nurse-Midwives
1. Requirements for
prescriptive authority for certified nurse practitioners and certified
nurse-midwives
A. If the applicant
has not prescribed drugs within the past 2 years, the applicant
shall provide evidence of satisfactory completion of 15 contact
hours of pharmacology within the 2 years prior to applying for
approval to practice.
B. If the applicant
has not prescribed drugs within the past 5 years, the applicant
shall provide evidence of satisfactory completion of 45 contact
hours (or 3 credits) of pharmacology within the 2 years prior
to applying for approval to practice.
2. Provision for
certified nurse practitioners and certified nurse-midwives with
prescriptive authority in other U.S. jurisdictions
A. A certified nurse
practitioner or certified nurse-midwife who holds prescriptive
authority in another U.S. jurisdiction must submit evidence of
the following:
(1) minimum of 200
hours of practice in an expanded specialty role within the preceding
2 years
(2) 45 contact hours
(or 3 credits) of pharmacology equivalent to the requirements
set forth in Section 6(3)(A) and (B).
B. If the applicant
has not prescribed drugs within the past 2 years, the applicant
shall provide evidence of satisfactory completion of 15 contact
hours of pharmacology
within the 2 years prior to applying for approval to practice.
C. If the applicant
has not prescribed drugs within the past 5 years, the applicant
shall provide evidence of satisfactory completion of 45 contact
hours (or 3 credits) of pharmacology within the 2 years prior
to applying for approval to practice.
3. Pharmacology course
requirements
A. The required 45
contact hours (or 3 credits) of pharmacology may be obtained in
a formal academic setting as a discrete offering or as non-credit
continuing education offerings.
B. A pharmacology
course acceptable to the Board shall include:
(1) applicable federal/state
laws
(2) prescription
writing
(3) drug selection,
dosage and route
(4) drug interactions
(5) information
resources
(6) clinical application
of pharmacology related to specific scope of practice
C. The applicant shall
submit evidence of successful completion of the course and/or
continuing education offering in pharmacology.
4. Requirements for
authorized prescription and dispensing
A. In addition to
the required client and drug information, a written prescription
shall include the date, printed name, legal signature, specialty
category, business address, and telephone number of the prescribing
certified nurse practitioner or certified
nurse-midwife.
B. Prescriptions may
be written for medical appliances and devices and for over-the-counter
drugs.
C. Drugs in the formulary
may be prescribed, administered, dispensed, or distributed in
combination.
D. Any product name
drug may be prescribed, administered, dispensed, or distributed
as long as the generic name or category for the drug is in the
formulary.
E. The certified nurse
practitioner and certified nurse-midwife shall comply with all
applicable laws and rules in prescribing, administering, dispensing,
and distributing drugs, including compliance with the labeling
requirements and all other applicable requirements of the Board
of Commissioners of the Profession of Pharmacy.
F. For the administration,
dispensing, and distribution of controlled substances, the certified
nurse practitioner and certified nurse-midwife shall comply with
the requirements in the Code of Federal Regulations, 21 CFR Chapter
II, Sections 1301, 1304.03 and 1304.04.
5. Termination of
prescriptive or dispensing authority
A. The Board may restrict,
deny, suspend, or revoke prescriptive and/or dispensing authority
for violations of 32 MRSA Chapter 31 (Law Regulating the Practice
of Nursing) or evidence of abuse of such authority.
B. Abuse of prescriptive
or dispensing authority constitutes conduct derogatory to nursing
standards and is defined as:
(1) prescribing,
dispensing, administering, or distributing drugs not listed
in the Formulary
(2) prescribing,
dispensing, administering, or distributing drugs for other than
therapeutic or prophylactic purposes
(3) prescribing
or distributing drugs to individuals who are not clients of
the certified nurse practitioner or certified nurse-midwife
or who are not within that nurse's
specialty area of certification
(4) prescribing,
dispensing, administering, or distributing drugs in an unsafe
manner or without adequate instructions to clients according
to acceptable and prevailing standards of practice
(5) selling, purchasing,
trading, or offering to sell, purchase, or trade drug samples.
(6) failing to inform
the client that s/he has the freedom to select the source from
which prescriptions may be filled.
C. The Board will
notify the Board of the Commissioners of the Profession of Pharmacy
when an advanced practice registered nurse's prescriptive authority
has been restricted, denied, suspended or revoked.
6. Distribution of
drug samples
A. Certified nurse
practitioners or certified nurse-midwives may receive prepackaged
complimentary samples of drugs included in the formulary for prescription
writing and may distribute these samples to clients.
B. Distribution of
drug samples shall be in accordance with D.E.A. laws, regulations,
and guidelines.
Sec. 7. Formulary
for Certified Nurse Practitioners and Certified Nurse-Midwives with
Prescriptive Authority
1. General regulations
relating to the formulary
A. Certified nurse
practitioners and certified nurse-midwives are authorized to prescribe
the following:
(1) over-the-counter
drugs
(2) appliances and
devices
(3) drugs related
to the specialty area of certification.
(4) drugs prescribed
off label according to common and established standards of practice.
B. Regardless of the
schedules indicated on the certificate issued by the Drug Enforcement
Administration, the certified nurse practitioner and certified
nurse-midwife shall prescribe only those controlled drugs from
schedules II, III, IIIN, IV, and V. A Drug Enforcement Agency
(D.E.A.) number is required to prescribe these Drugs.
Sec. 8. Continuing
Education Requirements for Certified Nurse Practitioners, Certified
Nurse-Midwives, Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists, Certified
Clinical Nurse Specialists and those Approved to Practice prior
to September 8, 1993 When Certification Was Not Required
1. Continuing Approval
to Practice
A. A certified nurse
practitioner, certified nurse-midwife, certified registered nurse
anesthetist, certified clinical nurse specialist (and those approved
to practice prior to September 8, 1993 when certification was
not required) seeking continuing approval
to practice as an advanced practice registered nurse must have
completed during the 2 year period of licensure a minimum of 75
contact hours of continuing education in nursing, medicine or
allied health in the area of practice for which the individual
has
been approved as an advanced practice registered nurse. The applicant
for continuing approval shall affirm under oath, on the continuing
approval form, completion of the required continuing education.
Documentation of continuing
education must be maintained by the advanced practice registered
nurse for two license renewal periods and is subject to random
or targeted
audits.
B. A minimum of 30
contact hours must be in Category I, which is defined in subsection
2(A).
C. No more than 45
contact hours may be in Category II.
2. Definitions of
Categories
A. Category I activities
are those planned continuing education activities sponsored by
organizations or institutions whose educational offerings are
approved by professional bodies such as: American Nurses Association
Credentialing Center;
American Academy of Nurse Practitioners; American College of Nurse-Midwives;
Council on Recertification of Nurse Anesthetists; National Organization
of Nurse Practitioner Faculty; Maine State Nurses Association;
American Psychological
Association; American Medical Association Council of Medical Education;
Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education or the
Committee of Continuing Medical Education of the Maine Medical
Association.
Completion of courses
which offer academic credit related to the practice area.
Value: One contact
hour for 50 minutes of participation.
B. Category II activities
include the following continuing health related education activities
described below:
(1) exhibits or
presentations offered to health professionals
(2) papers published
in nursing and allied health journals
(3) articles or
chapters authored and published in professional textbooks
(4) self-instruction
such as: reading advanced nursing journals or allied health
journals; listening to audio or videotapes; viewing slides;
utilizing programmed or
computer-assisted instruction
(5) participation
in peer review; utilization management; and nursing/medical
audits
(6) presentation
at grand rounds
(7) participation
at meetings that have a clinical focus
(8) precepting registered
nurses enrolled in advanced practice registered nursing programs
(9) active participation
in health related research
Value:
One contact hour for each 50 minutes of participation.
Ten contact hours for each article or chapter published in nursing
and allied health journals.
One contact hour for three hours of precepting registered nurses
enrolled in advanced practice registered nursing programs.
For presenters seeking
contact hours, a one-time credit of 10 contact hours will be
awarded for the preparation of the initial presentation.
C. Documentation of
continuing education activities shall be maintained by the individual
to reflect the following: category; date of offering; subject
matter or title; sponsor, provider or institution; number of academic
contact hours; and proof of
attendance in Category I.
3. Failure to Meet
Continuing Education Requirements
Failure to comply
with the continuing education rules may, at the Board's discretion,
result in a decision to deny continuing approval to practice as
an advanced practice registered nurse, or may result in a decision
to enter into a consent agreement and probation setting forth
terms and conditions to correct the licensee's failure to complete
continuing education. Terms and conditions of a consent agreement
may include requiring completion of increased hours of continuing
education, civil penalties, suspension and other terms as the
Board, licensee and the Department of the Attorney General determine
appropriate.
STATUTORY AUTHORITY: 32
M.R.S.A. Sections 2102 (2-A) and 2153-A(1)
EFFECTIVE: April 30,
2001
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