PERMANENT RULES
(Nursing Care Quality Assurance Commission)
Date of Adoption: April 9, 1999.
Purpose: Amend WAC 246-840-020 Documents which indicate authorization to practice nursing in Washington.
Citation of Existing Rules Affected by this Order: Amending WAC 246-840-020.
Statutory Authority for Adoption: RCW 18.79.110.
Adopted under notice filed as WSR 99-06-092 on March 3, 1999.
Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Comply with Federal Statute: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; Federal Rules or Standards: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Recently Enacted State Statutes: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted at Request of a Nongovernmental Entity: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted on the Agency's Own Initiative: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Clarify, Streamline, or Reform Agency Procedures: New 0, Amended 1, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted Using Negotiated Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; Pilot Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Other Alternative Rule Making: New 0, Amended 1, Repealed 0. Effective Date of Rule: Thirty-one days after filing.
April 10, 1999
Joanna Boatman, RN, Chair
Nursing Care Quality Assurance Commission
OTS-2528.1
AMENDATORY SECTION(Amending WSR 98-05-060, filed 2/13/98,
effective 3/16/98)
WAC 246-840-020
Documents ((which indicate authorization to
practice nursing)) issued to nurses in Washington.
The following
documents are the only documents ((that indicate legal
authorization to practice as a licensed practical nurse or
registered nurse)) issued to nurses in Washington.
(1) Active license. A license is issued upon completion of all requirements for licensure, confers the right to use the title licensed practical nurse or licensed registered nurse and the use of its abbreviation, L.P.N. or R.N., and to practice as a licensed practical nurse or registered nurse in the state of Washington.
A student who has graduated from a basic professional nursing course and who is pursuing a baccalaureate degree in nursing, an advanced degree in nursing or an advanced certification in nursing shall hold an active Washington RN license before participating in the practice of nursing as required to fulfill the learning objectives in a clinical course.
Exception to this requirement may be granted by the commission on an individual basis upon a petition submitted by the dean or director of a school of nursing, on a case-by-case basis.
(a) The exception allows the student to practice in a clinical setting only under the direct supervision of an RN faculty member. The commission requires that any RN faculty member supervising these students meet the requirements of direct supervision as defined in WAC 246-840-010 (13)(c)(ii) and, in addition, that supervising faculty document that all clients under the care of the student be assessed by the RN faculty each clinical day.
(b) The dean or director of the school of nursing shall ensure that each faculty member who supervises these students be provided a copy of these rules and be assigned in a manner that allows for direct supervision.
(c) Nursing students who participate in clinical courses under this section are not eligible for the nursing technician role.
(2) Inactive license. A license issued to a person previously holding an active license in this state, is in good standing and does not practice in Washington state. Refer to chapter 246-12 WAC, Part 4.
(3) Limited educational license. A limited educational license may be issued to a person who has been on inactive or lapsed status for three years or more and who wishes to return to active status. A limited educational license does not authorize practice for employment.
(4) Advanced registered nurse practitioner (ARNP) recognition document. An ARNP recognition document may be issued to any person who meets the requirements of the commission as contained in WAC 246-840-300. Only persons holding this recognition document shall have the right to use the title "advanced registered nurse practitioner" or the abbreviation "ARNP" or any title or abbreviation which may indicate that the person is entitled to practice at an advanced and specialized level as a nurse practitioner, a specialized nurse practitioner, a nurse midwife, or a nurse anesthetist. This document authorizes the ARNP to engage in the scope of practice allowed for his or her specialty area and is valid only with a current registered nurse license.
(5) ARNP interim permit. An interim permit may be issued following satisfactory completion of an advanced formal education program, registration for the first certification examination of an approved program following completion of the education and filing of an application, fee and requested documentation. If the applicant passes the examination the department shall grant advanced registered nurse practitioner status. If the applicant fails the examination, the interim permit shall expire upon notification and is not renewable.
(6) ARNP prescriptive authorization. A notation of prescriptive authorization may be placed on the ARNP recognition document issued to any person who meets the requirements of the commission as contained in WAC 246-840-410. This authorizes the ARNP to prescribe drugs within his or her scope of practice and is valid only with a current registered nurse license.
[Statutory Authority: RCW 43.70.280. 98-05-060, § 246-840-020, filed 2/13/98, effective 3/16/98. Statutory Authority: Chapter 18.79 RCW. 97-13-100, § 246-840-020, filed 6/18/97, effective 7/19/97.]