067.00.12 Ark. Code R. § 001 - Revisions to Rules: Chapter 1 - General Provisions; Chapter 2 - Licensure: Chapter 3 - Registered Nurse Practitioner; and Chapter 6 - Standards for Nursing Education Programs; the Nurse Practice Act, Article 8 and Chapter 4 - Advanced Practice
The performance for compensation of any acts involving the observation, care, and counsel of the ill, injured, or infirm; the maintenance of health or prevention of illness of others; the supervision and teaching of other personnel; the delegation of certain nursing practices to other personnel as set forth in rules established by the board; or the administration of medications and treatments as prescribed by practitioners authorized to prescribe and treat according to state law where such acts require substantial specialized judgment and skill based on knowledge and application of the principles of biological, physical, and social sciences.
The practice of advanced practice registered nursing means the delivery of health care services for compensation by professional nurses who have gained additional knowledge and skills through successful completion of an organized program of nursing education that certifies nurses for advanced practice roles as certified nurse practitioners, certified registered nurse anesthetists, certified nurse midwives, and clinical nurse specialists.
The delivery of health care services for compensation in collaboration with and under the direction of a licensed physician or under the direction of protocols developed with a licensed physician. Registered nurse practitioners shall be authorized to engage in activities as recognized by the nursing profession and as authorized by the Board. Nothing in this subdivision is to be deemed to limit a registered nurse practitioner from engaging in those activities which normally constitute the practice of nursing, or those which may be performed by persons without the necessity of the license to practice medicine.
The performance for compensation of acts involving the care of the ill, injured, or infirm or the delegation of certain nursing practices to other personnel as set forth in rules established by the board; under the direction of a registered professional nurse, an advanced practice nurse, a licensed physician, or a licensed dentist, which acts do not require the substantial specialized skill, judgment, and knowledge required in professional nursing.
The performance for compensation of acts involving the care of the physically and mentally ill, retarded, injured, or infirm or the delegation of certain nursing practices to other personnel as set forth in rules established by the board, and the carrying out of medical orders under the direction of a registered professional nurse, an advanced practice nurse, a licensed physician or a licensed dentist, where such activities do not require the substantial specialized skill, judgment, and knowledge required in professional nursing.
ACCREDITED - The status granted by an accrediting agency through a voluntary process.
ACTIVE PRACTICE - The act of performing for compensation those acts within specified scope of practice and authorized by the board.
ACTIVITIES OF DAILY LIVING - Those self-care activities which must be accomplished each day in order for the client to care for his own needs and participate in society.
ADVANCED PRACTICE REGISTERED NURSE CATEGORIES - Certified nurse practitioner, certified registered nurse anesthetist, certified nurse midwife, and clinical nurse specialist.
APPROVAL - Recognized by the Board as meeting the education standards for preparing graduates for registered or practical nurse licensure.
APPROVAL TYPES:
PREREQUISITE - Status authorizing a program to proceed in establishing a program of nursing.
INITIAL - Status awarded to a program that has met all initial requirements and authorizes the program to proceed to admission of students and completion of educational standards.
FULL - Status awarded to a program that has met all educational standards.
CONTINUED FULL - Status awarded to a program that continues to maintain the educational standards.
CONDITIONAL - Status of a program that has not maintained the educational standards. Serves as a warning that if the standards are not followed withdrawal of approval may be initiated.
BOARD - The Arkansas State Board of Nursing.
BOARD REPRESENTATIVE - A person appointed, hired, or otherwise authorized by the Board to carry out its functions.
CLINICAL EXPERIENCE- a faculty planned and guided learning activity that is designed to support students in meeting identified programs educational and course outcomes. The clinical settings include a variety of clinical of clinical practice settings or affiliating agencies, including but not limited to:
ACUTE CARE SETTING- A hospital based clinical site where students provide direct patient care and associated clinical conferences.
NON- ACUTE CARE SETTING- A long term, extended care, or nursing home based clinical site where students provide direct patient care and associated clinical conferences.
COMMUNITY SETTING- Community partner experiences with nurses and or professional staff in settings other than acute and non - acute settings where students provide indirect direct patient care and associated clinical conferences.
CLINICAL FACILITY - A facility outside the framework of the program which provides educational experiences for the student.
COLLABORATING PHYSICIAN - A physician, licensed under the Arkansas Medical Practices Act, § 17 -93 -201 et seq., who has a practice comparable in scope, specialty or expertise to that of the advanced practice nurse or registered nurse practitioner.
COLLABORATIVE PRACTICE AGREEMENT - Document setting out how an advanced practice nurse and physician intend to cooperate in the delivery of client care.
CONSULTING PHYSICIAN - A physician licensed by the Arkansas Medical Practices Act who has obstetric privileges in a hospital.
CONTACT HOUR- A measurement for continuing education; either a 50 or 60 minute clock hour of continuing education.
CONTINUING EDUCATION UNIT (CEID- A measurement for continuing education; one CEU equals ten (10) contact hours.
CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE - Drug substance or immediate precursor in Schedules I-V.
CREDENTIAL - A license, certificate, or other evidence of qualifications.
DELEGATION - Entrusting the performance of a selected nursing task to an individual who is qualified, competent, and able to perform such tasks. The nurse retains the accountability for the total nursing care of the individual.
DISTANT LEARNING SITE - A location separate from the main campus where course offerings are delivered.
DOCUMENTATION - Written proof or evidence to substantiate factual claims or statements satisfactory to the Board.
DRUG SAMPLE - A unit of a legend drug which is distributed to a practitioner by a manufacturer or a manufacturer's representative at no charge, is not intended to be sold, and is intended to promote the sale of the drug.
EMERGENCY CARE - Unanticipated care provided to a person who is unconscious, ill, or injured, when the circumstances require prompt decisions and actions, and when the necessity of immediate care is so apparent that any delay would seriously worsen the physical condition or endanger the life of the person.
GRADUATE COMPETENCIES - Educational outcomes expected of the nursing program's graduates.
LEGEND DRUG - A drug limited by Section 503(b)(1) of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to being dispensed by or upon a practitioner's prescription.
MAY - Indicates permission.
MISSION - Beliefs accepted by the parent institution for the framework of the school's programs and offerings.
OBSERVATIONAL EXPERIENCE - One in which the nursing student provides no nursing care.
PRACTICE- FOCUSED- Academic study or continuing education targeted to meet the needs of the nurse in his / her nursing practice role.
PARENT INSTITUTION - The official institution sponsoring the nursing program.
PERSONAL CARE - Assistance with activities of daily living not requiring a medical prescription.
PHILOSOPHY - Beliefs adopted by the nursing faculty for the framework of the program.
PRECEPTOR - A currently licensed nurse or physician, meeting the requirements of these rules, who serves as a facilitator of student learning in a practice setting.
PRECEPTORSHIP - Practice under the supervision of a qualified preceptor in the care of consumers of health services while a student in a Board approved program.
PRESCRIPTIVE AUTHORITY - Authorization, given by the Board, for an advanced practice nurse who meets established requirements to prescribe. Prescriptive authority for controlled substances shall only extend to drugs listed in Schedules III through V.
PROGRAM - The total educational curriculum in nursing, including theoretical and clinical components. Types of Programs are:
ASSOCIATE DEGREE PROGRAM - A professional nursing program leading to an associate degree with a major in nursing.
BACCALAUREATE DEGREE PROGRAM - A professional nursing program leading to a baccalaureate degree with a major in nursing.
DD7LOMA PROGRAM - A professional nursing program leading to a diploma with a major in nursing.
PRACTICAL NURSING PROGRAM - A nursing program leading to a certificate in practical nursing.
PSYCHIATRIC TECHNICIAN NURSING PROGRAM - A nursing program leading to a certificate in psychiatric technician nursing.
PROGRAM DIRECTOR - The person responsible for the specific educational unit in nursing, regardless of the official title in the institution.
PROTOCOL - A written statement which delineates agreed-upon approaches in client care and management.
REFRESHER COURSE- A formal course of instruction designed to provide a review and update of nursing theory and practice.
SATELLITE CAMPUS - A separate geographic location where a program is offered which has a separate student body and a separate faculty leader/coordinator and/or faculty.
SHALL, WILL, MUST - Indicates a mandatory requirement.
SHOULD - Indicates a recommendation.
SURVEY - A visit to determine compliance with minimum requirements.
THERAPEUTIC DEVICE - An instrument or apparatus, requiring a prescription, that is intended for use in diagnosis or treatment, and in the prevention of disease or maintenance or restoration of health.
TRANSMITTING - Relaying an order for a medication, treatment, or therapeutic device.
UNDER THE DIRECTION OF A LICENSED PHYSICIAN - The performance of specific acts and procedures which have been authorized by a licensed physician and which may be performed outside the presence of the physician under conditions where a physician is readily available for consultation.
UNENCUMBERED LICENSE - Free of disciplinary limitations or pending action.
The office of the Board is in Little Rock, Arkansas. The office shall be open during business hours each day; Saturday, Sunday, and holidays excepted.
The Board may, through one or more of its members, or staff especially authorized, conduct at its office in Little Rock, Arkansas, or in any part of the state, any examination, inquiry or investigation, hearing, or other proceeding necessary to perform its duties and functions. The executive director shall have custody of the seal and official records and shall be responsible for the maintenance and custody of the files and records of the Board, including the credentials for all Arkansas licensed nurses, transcripts of testimony and exhibits, the minutes of all actions taken by the Board and all of its findings, determinations, reports, opinions, orders, rules, and approved forms.
All notices and other actions of the Board shall be authenticated or signed by the president, secretary, or such other person as may be authorized by the Board.
Upon order of the Board, the president, secretary, or executive director shall issue all notices of hearings and other process as may be directed by the Board.
The executive director of the Board shall be a registered nurse and meet the qualifications required by the Board.
The executive director shall enter, in permanent form, credentials of all nurses, records of official transactions and proceedings, and keep such records in safekeeping.
Meetings may be taped by a secretary as necessary for purposes of minute taking. Tapes may be erased after corresponding minutes have been approved.
The executive director may destroy or dispose of records in the office in accord with applicable law.
Upon written request and payment of a fee, the executive director shall provide to any nurse holding Arkansas licensure a certified copy of any of his or her records on file in the Board office.
Records shall be open to public inspection except as may be specifically exempted by statute.
Copies of rules of the Board will be furnished free of charge to any official of a government agency requesting them in the performance of his or her duties.
A registered nurse, practical nurse, or psychiatric technician nurse candidate who has failed the licensure examination may review his or her examination and/or challenge examination items according to the policies and procedures of the test development vendor.
As funds are made available, any Arkansas resident who is enrolled in, or has been accepted for admission to, an approved school of nursing in this state or in a nationally accredited school outside the state, in a course of study leading to qualification as a registered nurse, licensed practical nurse, or nurse educator shall be eligible to make application to the Arkansas State Board of Nursing for a nursing educator loan or a nursing practice loan. The Board may, depending upon available funds, make a nursing educator loan or a nursing practice loan to an applicant when it determines that the applicant:
If the recipient of a loan ceases to be enrolled in good standing in a recognized nursing program before completing the education requirements to qualify as a registered nurse, licensed practical nurse, or nursing educator, the principal and interest of all loans made to the recipient shall become due and payable immediately or as provided in the loan agreement.
The applicant shall meet the licensure requirements of the Board.
The passing score on the licensure examination shall be determined by the Board.
For the purpose of the Compact:
Other terms used in these rules are to be defined as in the Interstate Compact.
For the purpose of this Compact:
Each person holding an active license or applying for reinstatement of a license under the provisions of the Nurse Practice Act shall be required to complete certain continuing education requirements prior to licensure renewal or reinstatement.
Each nurse shall declare his or her compliance with the requirements for continuing education at the time of license renewal or reinstatement. The declaration shall be made at the time of renewal.
A duplicate license or certificate shall be issued when the licensee submits a statement to the Board that the document is lost, stolen, or destroyed, and pays the required fee.
Upon payment of a certification/verification fee, a nurse seeking licensure in another state may have a certified statement of Arkansas licensure issued to the Board of Nursing in that state.
A registered nurse practitioner is a licensed professional nurse prepared in the manner stated herein who provides direct care to individuals, families, and other groups in a variety of settings, including homes, hospitals, offices, industry, schools, and other institutions and health care settings. The service provided by the nurse practitioner is directed toward the delivery of primary, secondary, and tertiary care which focuses on the achievement and maintenance of optimal functions in the population. The nurse practitioner engages in independent decision making about the nursing care needs of clients and collaborates with health professionals and others in making decisions about other health care needs. The practitioner plans and institutes health care programs as a member of the health care team. The nurse practitioner is directly accountable and responsible to the recipient for the quality of care rendered.
Rules which apply to registered nurses are hereby incorporated by reference.
The RNP shall, upon request of the Board, provide documentation outlining the extent of services, responsibilities, and required supervision of nurse practitioners, and the accompanying responsibilities of collaborating physicians.
The registered nurse practitioner shall demonstrate competence in any act or procedure delegated by the collaborating physician.
The advanced practice registered nurse (APRN) shall practice in a manner consistent with the definition of the practice of advanced practice nursing set forth in Arkansas Code Annotated § 17-87-102(4).(A)(B)(C)(D), and in accordance with the scope of practice existing by the appropriate national certifying body and the standards set forth in these rules. The Board specifically approves and incorporates into these rules the scope of practice established and existing from time to time by those national certifying bodies which the Board has approved for APRNs. The advanced practice registered nurse (APRN) may provide health care for which the APRN is educationally prepared and for which competence has been attained and maintained.
Advanced practice registered nurse (APRN) licensure shall be designated in one of the four roles below and at least one population focus; Family/Individual Across the Lifespan, Adult-Gerontology, Neonatal, Pediatrics, Women's Health/Gender-related, or Psychiatric/Mental Health (effective 2015). A current, unencumbered registered nurse license to practice in Arkansas is required for all categories of advanced practice licensure. Effective January 1, 2003, all applicants for advanced practice licensure by examination shall have completed a graduate or post-graduate level advanced practice nursing education program. Applicants for advanced practice licensure by endorsement shall have met the educational and certification requirements set forth in Arkansas State Board of Nursing Rulesat the time of their initial licensure as an advanced practice registered nurse in another jurisdiction. APRN roles and their respective qualifications are:
The applicant shall meet the licensure requirements of the Board.
In addition to a current registered nurse license to practice in Arkansas, the information submitted to the Board shall include:
An internationally educated applicant for licensure in this state as an APRN shall:
The license is lapsed if not renewed or placed in an inactive status by the expiration date.
A duplicate license or certificate shall be issued when the licensee submits a notarized statement to the Board that the document is lost, stolen, or destroyed, and pays the required fee.
An applicant for an initial certificate of prescriptive authority shall:
f Meet requirements in Section VIII.A. 1,2,5,6.
Protocols shall be made available upon request of the Board. Such protocols shall, at a minimum, include:
f Initials or signature of APRN.
An Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN') must maintain prescribing medication practices that are within the APRN's educational preparation and certification. An APRN will be in violation of the Arkansas Nurse Practice Act if he/she prescribes Schedule III and/or Schedule IV drugs under the Uniform Controlled Substance Act for short-term treatment of obesity, except in conformity with the requirements as set below.
The purpose of this committee shall include functioning in an advisory capacity to assist the Board with oversight and implementation of the provisions regarding prescriptive authority.
The Advisory Committee shall be composed of six (6) members appointed by the Board and approved by the Governor. Four members shall be advanced practice registered nurses with at least three (3) holding a certificates of prescriptive authority and an active PEA number. One (1) committee member shall be a licensed physician who has been involved in a collaborative practice with an advanced practice registered nurse for at least five (5) years. One member shall be a licensed pharmacist who has been licensed for at least five (5) years.
Members shall serve three (3) year terms and may be reappointed. The Board may remove any advisory committee member, after notice and hearing, for incapacity, incompetence, neglect of duty, or malfeasance in office.
Advisory committee members shall serve without compensation; but may be reimbursed to the extent special monies are appropriated therefore for actual and necessary expenses incurred in the performance of their official Board duties.
This chapter presents the Standards established by the Arkansas State Board of Nursing for nursing education programs that lead to practical nursing and registered nursing licensure.
The parent institution shall be approved by the appropriate state body.
f All faculty shall maintain education and clinical competencies in areas of instructional responsibilities.
There shall be secretarial designated support staff sufficient to meet the needs of the program.
f Clinical experiences shall include expectations of professional conduct by students,
f Leadership, including nursing management and delegation; and
Notes
State regulations are updated quarterly; we currently have two versions available. Below is a comparison between our most recent version and the prior quarterly release. More comparison features will be added as we have more versions to compare.