| 1 | A bill to be entitled |
| 2 | An act relating to nursing; amending s. 456.014, F.S.; |
| 3 | authorizing the disclosure of certain confidential |
| 4 | information required of nursing license applicants to |
| 5 | certain persons; amending s. 464.003, F.S.; providing and |
| 6 | revising definitions; amending s. 464.008, F.S.; revising |
| 7 | requirements for graduation from certain nursing education |
| 8 | programs for nursing license applicants seeking to take |
| 9 | the licensing examination; amending s. 464.015, F.S.; |
| 10 | revising restrictions on nursing graduates who may use |
| 11 | certain titles and abbreviations; amending s. 464.019, |
| 12 | F.S.; revising requirements for the approval of nursing |
| 13 | education programs by the Board of Nursing, including |
| 14 | application requirements and procedures for the review and |
| 15 | approval or denial of applications; revising requirements |
| 16 | for the approval of nursing education programs meeting |
| 17 | certain requirements before a specified date; providing |
| 18 | for retroactive application; revising requirements for the |
| 19 | submission of annual reports by approved programs; |
| 20 | revising requirements for the information published on the |
| 21 | board's Internet website; revising accountability |
| 22 | requirements for an approved program's graduate passage |
| 23 | rates on a certain licensing examination; revising |
| 24 | procedures for placing programs on, and removing such |
| 25 | programs, from probationary status; requiring termination |
| 26 | of programs under certain circumstances; requiring certain |
| 27 | representatives of programs that fail to submit annual |
| 28 | reports to appear before the board; requiring the |
| 29 | Department of Health to disclose certain confidential |
| 30 | information about a program's graduates to the program |
| 31 | director under certain circumstances; requiring program |
| 32 | directors to maintain the confidentiality of such |
| 33 | information; providing penalties for unlawful disclosure |
| 34 | of confidential information; revising requirements for the |
| 35 | closure of programs; revising the board's authority to |
| 36 | adopt rules; exempting accredited programs from specified |
| 37 | requirements; providing requirements for an accredited |
| 38 | program that ceases to be accredited; conforming |
| 39 | provisions; deleting obsolete provisions; revising |
| 40 | requirements for the Florida Center for Nursing's |
| 41 | evaluation of the board's implementation of certain |
| 42 | accountability provisions; providing for the performance |
| 43 | of certain duties of the Florida Center for Nursing by the |
| 44 | Office of Program Policy Analysis and Government |
| 45 | Accountability under certain circumstances; conforming |
| 46 | cross-references; amending s. 464.022, F.S.; conforming |
| 47 | provisions; amending ss. 458.348, 459.025, 464.012, and |
| 48 | 960.28, F.S.; conforming cross-references; providing an |
| 49 | effective date. |
| 50 |
|
| 51 | Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Florida: |
| 52 |
|
| 53 | Section 1. Subsection (1) of section 456.014, Florida |
| 54 | Statutes, is amended to read: |
| 55 | 456.014 Public inspection of information required from |
| 56 | applicants; exceptions; examination hearing.- |
| 57 | (1) All information required by the department of any |
| 58 | applicant shall be a public record and shall be open to public |
| 59 | inspection pursuant to s. 119.07, except financial information, |
| 60 | medical information, school transcripts, examination questions, |
| 61 | answers, papers, grades, and grading keys, which are |
| 62 | confidential and exempt from s. 119.07(1) and shall not be |
| 63 | discussed with or made accessible to anyone except the program |
| 64 | director of an approved program or accredited program as |
| 65 | provided in s. 464.019(7), members of the board, the department, |
| 66 | and staff thereof, who have a bona fide need to know such |
| 67 | information. Any information supplied to the department by any |
| 68 | other agency which is exempt from the provisions of chapter 119 |
| 69 | or is confidential shall remain exempt or confidential pursuant |
| 70 | to applicable law while in the custody of the department or the |
| 71 | agency. |
| 72 | Section 2. Section 464.003, Florida Statutes, is reordered |
| 73 | and amended to read: |
| 74 | 464.003 Definitions.-As used in this part, the term: |
| 75 | (1) "Accredited program" means a program for the |
| 76 | prelicensure education of professional or practical nurses that |
| 77 | is conducted in the United States at an educational institution, |
| 78 | whether in this state, another state, or the District of |
| 79 | Columbia, and that is accredited by a specialized nursing |
| 80 | accrediting agency that is nationally recognized by the United |
| 81 | States Secretary of Education to accredit nursing education |
| 82 | programs. |
| 83 | (13)(1) "Department" means the Department of Health. |
| 84 | (5)(2) "Board" means the Board of Nursing. |
| 85 | (20)(3)(a) "Practice of professional nursing" means the |
| 86 | performance of those acts requiring substantial specialized |
| 87 | knowledge, judgment, and nursing skill based upon applied |
| 88 | principles of psychological, biological, physical, and social |
| 89 | sciences which shall include, but not be limited to: |
| 90 | (a)1. The observation, assessment, nursing diagnosis, |
| 91 | planning, intervention, and evaluation of care; health teaching |
| 92 | and counseling of the ill, injured, or infirm; and the promotion |
| 93 | of wellness, maintenance of health, and prevention of illness of |
| 94 | others. |
| 95 | (b)2. The administration of medications and treatments as |
| 96 | prescribed or authorized by a duly licensed practitioner |
| 97 | authorized by the laws of this state to prescribe such |
| 98 | medications and treatments. |
| 99 | (c)3. The supervision and teaching of other personnel in |
| 100 | the theory and performance of any of the above acts described in |
| 101 | this subsection. |
| 102 |
|
| 103 | A professional nurse is responsible and accountable for making |
| 104 | decisions that are based upon the individual's educational |
| 105 | preparation and experience in nursing. |
| 106 | (19)(b) "Practice of practical nursing" means the |
| 107 | performance of selected acts, including the administration of |
| 108 | treatments and medications, in the care of the ill, injured, or |
| 109 | infirm and the promotion of wellness, maintenance of health, and |
| 110 | prevention of illness of others under the direction of a |
| 111 | registered nurse, a licensed physician, a licensed osteopathic |
| 112 | physician, a licensed podiatric physician, or a licensed |
| 113 | dentist. A The professional nurse and the practical nurse is |
| 114 | shall be responsible and accountable for making decisions that |
| 115 | are based upon the individual's educational preparation and |
| 116 | experience in nursing. |
| 117 | (7)(c) "Clinical nurse specialist practice" means the |
| 118 | delivery and management of advanced practice nursing care to |
| 119 | individuals or groups, including the ability to: |
| 120 | (a)1. Assess the health status of individuals and families |
| 121 | using methods appropriate to the population and area of |
| 122 | practice. |
| 123 | (b)2. Diagnose human responses to actual or potential |
| 124 | health problems. |
| 125 | (c)3. Plan for health promotion, disease prevention, and |
| 126 | therapeutic intervention in collaboration with the patient or |
| 127 | client. |
| 128 | (d)4. Implement therapeutic interventions based on the |
| 129 | nurse specialist's area of expertise and within the scope of |
| 130 | advanced nursing practice, including, but not limited to, direct |
| 131 | nursing care, counseling, teaching, and collaboration with other |
| 132 | licensed health care providers. |
| 133 | (e)5. Coordinate health care as necessary and appropriate |
| 134 | and evaluate with the patient or client the effectiveness of |
| 135 | care. |
| 136 | (2)(d) "Advanced or specialized nursing practice" means, |
| 137 | in addition to the practice of professional nursing, the |
| 138 | performance of advanced-level nursing acts approved by the board |
| 139 | which, by virtue of postbasic specialized education, training, |
| 140 | and experience, are appropriately performed by an advanced |
| 141 | registered nurse practitioner. Within the context of advanced or |
| 142 | specialized nursing practice, the advanced registered nurse |
| 143 | practitioner may perform acts of nursing diagnosis and nursing |
| 144 | treatment of alterations of the health status. The advanced |
| 145 | registered nurse practitioner may also perform acts of medical |
| 146 | diagnosis and treatment, prescription, and operation which are |
| 147 | identified and approved by a joint committee composed of three |
| 148 | members appointed by the Board of Nursing, two of whom must be |
| 149 | advanced registered nurse practitioners; three members appointed |
| 150 | by the Board of Medicine, two of whom must have had work |
| 151 | experience with advanced registered nurse practitioners; and the |
| 152 | State Surgeon General or the State Surgeon General's designee. |
| 153 | Each committee member appointed by a board shall be appointed to |
| 154 | a term of 4 years unless a shorter term is required to establish |
| 155 | or maintain staggered terms. The Board of Nursing shall adopt |
| 156 | rules authorizing the performance of any such acts approved by |
| 157 | the joint committee. Unless otherwise specified by the joint |
| 158 | committee, such acts must be performed under the general |
| 159 | supervision of a practitioner licensed under chapter 458, |
| 160 | chapter 459, or chapter 466 within the framework of standing |
| 161 | protocols which identify the medical acts to be performed and |
| 162 | the conditions for their performance. The department may, by |
| 163 | rule, require that a copy of the protocol be filed with the |
| 164 | department along with the notice required by s. 458.348. |
| 165 | (17)(e) "Nursing diagnosis" means the observation and |
| 166 | evaluation of physical or mental conditions, behaviors, signs |
| 167 | and symptoms of illness, and reactions to treatment and the |
| 168 | determination as to whether such conditions, signs, symptoms, |
| 169 | and reactions represent a deviation from normal. |
| 170 | (18)(f) "Nursing treatment" means the establishment and |
| 171 | implementation of a nursing regimen for the care and comfort of |
| 172 | individuals, the prevention of illness, and the education, |
| 173 | restoration, and maintenance of health. |
| 174 | (22)(4) "Registered nurse" means any person licensed in |
| 175 | this state to practice professional nursing. |
| 176 | (16)(5) "Licensed practical nurse" means any person |
| 177 | licensed in this state to practice practical nursing. |
| 178 | (6) "Clinical nurse specialist" means any person licensed |
| 179 | in this state to practice professional nursing and certified in |
| 180 | clinical nurse specialist practice. |
| 181 | (3)(7) "Advanced registered nurse practitioner" means any |
| 182 | person licensed in this state to practice professional nursing |
| 183 | and certified in advanced or specialized nursing practice, |
| 184 | including certified registered nurse anesthetists, certified |
| 185 | nurse midwives, and nurse practitioners. |
| 186 | (4)(8) "Approved program" means a nursing program for the |
| 187 | prelicensure education of professional or practical nurses that |
| 188 | is conducted in the state at an educational institution and that |
| 189 | is in a school, college, or university which is approved under |
| 190 | s. 464.019 for the education of nurses. The term includes such a |
| 191 | program placed on probationary status. |
| 192 | (10)(9) "Clinical training" means direct nursing care |
| 193 | experiences with patients or clients which offer the student the |
| 194 | opportunity to integrate, apply, and refine specific skills and |
| 195 | abilities based on theoretical concepts and scientific |
| 196 | principles. |
| 197 | (8)(10) "Clinical preceptor" means a registered nurse or |
| 198 | licensed practical nurse who is employed by a clinical training |
| 199 | facility to serve who serves as a role model and clinical |
| 200 | resource person for a specified period to students an individual |
| 201 | enrolled in an approved program. |
| 202 | (9)(11) "Clinical simulation" means a strategy used to |
| 203 | replicate clinical practice as closely as possible to teach |
| 204 | theory, assessment, technology, pharmacology, and skills. |
| 205 | (11)(12) "Community-based clinical experience" means |
| 206 | activities consistent with the curriculum and involving |
| 207 | individuals, families, and groups with the intent of promoting |
| 208 | wellness, maintaining health, and preventing illness. |
| 209 | (12)(13) "Curriculum" means a planned sequence of course |
| 210 | offerings and learning experiences that comprise a nursing |
| 211 | education program. |
| 212 | (21)(14) "Probationary status" means the status of an |
| 213 | approved a nursing education program that is placed on such |
| 214 | status pursuant subject to s. 464.019(2)(a)2. or (5)(a) or (b). |
| 215 | (14) "Educational institution" means a school, college, or |
| 216 | university. |
| 217 | (15) "Graduate passage rate" means the percentage of a |
| 218 | program's graduates who, as first-time test takers, pass the |
| 219 | National Council of State Boards of Nursing Licensing |
| 220 | Examination during a calendar year, as calculated by the |
| 221 | contract testing service of the National Council of State Boards |
| 222 | of Nursing. |
| 223 | (23) "Required passage rate" means the graduate passage |
| 224 | rate required for an approved program pursuant to s. |
| 225 | 464.019(6)(a)1. |
| 226 | Section 3. Subsection (1) of section 464.008, Florida |
| 227 | Statutes, is amended to read: |
| 228 | 464.008 Licensure by examination.- |
| 229 | (1) Any person desiring to be licensed as a registered |
| 230 | nurse or licensed practical nurse shall apply to the department |
| 231 | to take the licensure examination. The department shall examine |
| 232 | each applicant who: |
| 233 | (a) Has completed the application form and remitted a fee |
| 234 | set by the board not to exceed $150 and has remitted an |
| 235 | examination fee set by the board not to exceed $75 plus the |
| 236 | actual per applicant cost to the department for purchase of the |
| 237 | examination from the National Council of State Boards of Nursing |
| 238 | or a similar national organization. |
| 239 | (b) Has provided sufficient information on or after |
| 240 | October 1, 1989, which must be submitted by the department for a |
| 241 | statewide criminal records correspondence check through the |
| 242 | Department of Law Enforcement. |
| 243 | (c) Is in good mental and physical health, is a recipient |
| 244 | of a high school diploma or the equivalent, and has completed |
| 245 | the requirements for: |
| 246 | 1. Graduation from an approved program; |
| 247 | 2. Graduation from a prelicensure nursing education |
| 248 | program that the board determines is, or its equivalent to an |
| 249 | approved program; |
| 250 | 3. Graduation on or after July 1, 2009, from an accredited |
| 251 | program; or |
| 252 | 4. Graduation before July 1, 2009, from a prelicensure |
| 253 | nursing education program whose graduates at that time were |
| 254 | eligible for examination as determined by the board, for the |
| 255 | preparation of registered nurses or licensed practical nurses, |
| 256 | whichever is applicable. |
| 257 |
|
| 258 | Courses successfully completed in a professional nursing |
| 259 | education program that which are at least equivalent to a |
| 260 | practical nursing education program may be used to satisfy the |
| 261 | education requirements for licensure as a licensed practical |
| 262 | nurse. |
| 263 | (d) Has the ability to communicate in the English |
| 264 | language, which may be determined by an examination given by the |
| 265 | department. |
| 266 | Section 4. Subsections (3) and (4) of section 464.015, |
| 267 | Florida Statutes, are amended to read: |
| 268 | 464.015 Titles and abbreviations; restrictions; penalty.- |
| 269 | (3) Only persons who are graduates of prelicensure nursing |
| 270 | education approved programs listed in s. 464.008(1)(c) or the |
| 271 | equivalent may use the term "Graduate Nurse" and the |
| 272 | abbreviation "G.N.," pending the results of the first licensure |
| 273 | examination for which they are eligible. |
| 274 | (4) Only persons who are graduates of prelicensure nursing |
| 275 | education approved programs listed in s. 464.008(1)(c) or the |
| 276 | equivalent may use the term "Graduate Practical Nurse" and the |
| 277 | abbreviation "G.P.N.," pending the results of the first |
| 278 | licensure examination for which they are eligible. |
| 279 | Section 5. Section 464.019, Florida Statutes, is reordered |
| 280 | and amended to read: |
| 281 | 464.019 Approval of nursing education programs.- |
| 282 | (1) PROGRAM APPLICATIONS.-An educational institution that |
| 283 | wishes to conduct a program in this state for the prelicensure |
| 284 | education of professional or practical nurses must shall submit |
| 285 | to the department a program application and a program review fee |
| 286 | of $1,000 for each prelicensure nursing education program to be |
| 287 | offered at the institution's main campus, branch campus, or |
| 288 | other instructional site the department. Within 90 days after |
| 289 | receipt of a program application and program review fee, the |
| 290 | board shall approve the program application if it documents |
| 291 | compliance with the standards in paragraphs (a)-(h). If the |
| 292 | program application is incomplete or does not document |
| 293 | compliance, the board shall follow the procedures in subsection |
| 294 | (3). a program application is deemed approved by the board if |
| 295 | the board does not act on the application within the timeframes |
| 296 | specified in subsection (3) or this subsection. Each program |
| 297 | application must include the legal name of the educational |
| 298 | institution, the legal name of the nursing education program, |
| 299 | and, if such program is accredited by an accrediting agency |
| 300 | other than an accrediting agency described in s. 464.003(1), the |
| 301 | name of the accrediting agency. The application must also |
| 302 | document that: |
| 303 | (a)1. For a professional nursing education program, the |
| 304 | program director and at least 50 percent of the program's |
| 305 | faculty members are registered nurses who have, at a minimum, a |
| 306 | master's or higher bachelor's degree in nursing or a bachelor's |
| 307 | and a master's degree in nursing and a master's or higher degree |
| 308 | in a field or a related to nursing field. |
| 309 | 2.(b) For a practical nursing education program, the |
| 310 | program director and at least 50 percent of the program's |
| 311 | faculty members are registered nurses who have, at a minimum, a |
| 312 | bachelor's or higher degree in nursing. |
| 313 |
|
| 314 | The educational degree requirements of this paragraph may be |
| 315 | documented by an official transcript or by a written statement |
| 316 | from the educational institution verifying that the institution |
| 317 | conferred the degree. |
| 318 | (b)(c) The program's nursing major curriculum consists of |
| 319 | at least: |
| 320 | 1. Fifty percent clinical training for a practical nursing |
| 321 | education program, an associate degree professional nursing |
| 322 | education program, or a professional diploma nursing education |
| 323 | program. |
| 324 | 2. Forty percent clinical training for a bachelor's degree |
| 325 | professional nursing education program. |
| 326 | (c)(d) No more than 25 percent of the program's clinical |
| 327 | training consists of clinical simulation. |
| 328 | (d)(e) The program has signed agreements with each agency, |
| 329 | facility, and organization included in the curriculum plan as |
| 330 | clinical training sites and community-based clinical experience |
| 331 | sites. |
| 332 | (e)(f) The program has written policies for faculty which |
| 333 | include provisions for direct or indirect supervision by program |
| 334 | faculty or clinical preceptors for students in clinical training |
| 335 | consistent with the following standards: |
| 336 | 1. The number of program faculty members equals at least |
| 337 | one faculty member directly supervising every 12 students unless |
| 338 | the written agreement between the program and the agency, |
| 339 | facility, or organization providing clinical training sites |
| 340 | allows more students, not to exceed 18 students, to be directly |
| 341 | supervised by one program faculty member. |
| 342 | 2. For a hospital setting, indirect supervision may occur |
| 343 | only if there is direct supervision by an assigned clinical |
| 344 | preceptor, a supervising program faculty member is available by |
| 345 | telephone, and such arrangement is approved by the clinical |
| 346 | facility. |
| 347 | 3. For community-based clinical experiences that involve |
| 348 | student participation in invasive or complex nursing activities, |
| 349 | students must be directly supervised by a program faculty member |
| 350 | or clinical preceptor and such arrangement must be approved by |
| 351 | the community-based clinical facility. |
| 352 | 4. For community-based clinical experiences not subject to |
| 353 | subparagraph 3., indirect supervision may occur only when a |
| 354 | supervising program faculty member is available to the student |
| 355 | by telephone. |
| 356 |
|
| 357 | A program's policies established under this paragraph must |
| 358 | require a clinical preceptor, if supervising students in a |
| 359 | professional nursing education program, to be a registered nurse |
| 360 | or, if supervising students in a practical nursing education |
| 361 | program, to be a registered nurse or licensed practical nurse. |
| 362 | (f)(g) The professional or practical nursing curriculum |
| 363 | plan documents clinical experience and theoretical instruction |
| 364 | in medical, surgical, obstetric, pediatric, and geriatric |
| 365 | nursing. A professional nursing curriculum plan shall also |
| 366 | document clinical experience and theoretical instruction in |
| 367 | psychiatric nursing. Each curriculum plan must document clinical |
| 368 | training experience in appropriate settings that include, but |
| 369 | are not limited to, acute care, long-term care, and community |
| 370 | settings. |
| 371 | (g)(h) The professional or practical nursing education |
| 372 | program provides theoretical instruction and clinical |
| 373 | application in personal, family, and community health concepts; |
| 374 | nutrition; human growth and development throughout the life |
| 375 | span; body structure and function; interpersonal relationship |
| 376 | skills; mental health concepts; pharmacology and administration |
| 377 | of medications; and legal aspects of practice. A professional |
| 378 | nursing education program shall also provide theoretical |
| 379 | instruction and clinical application in interpersonal |
| 380 | relationships and leadership skills; professional role and |
| 381 | function; and health teaching and counseling skills. |
| 382 |
|
| 383 | Upon the board's approval of a program application, the program |
| 384 | becomes an approved program under this section. |
| 385 | (3)(2) STATUS OF CERTAIN PROGRAMS.- |
| 386 | (a) A professional or practical nursing education program |
| 387 | becomes an approved program if that, as of June 30, 2009, the |
| 388 | program: |
| 389 | (a)1. Has full or provisional approval from the board or, |
| 390 | except as provided in paragraph (b), is on probationary status, |
| 391 | except as provided in subparagraph 2., becomes an approved |
| 392 | program under this section. In order to retain approved program |
| 393 | status, such program shall submit the report required under |
| 394 | paragraph (c) to the board by November 1, 2009, and annually |
| 395 | thereafter. |
| 396 | (b)2. Is on probationary status because the program did |
| 397 | not meet the board's requirement for program graduate passage |
| 398 | rates. Such program on the National Council of State Boards of |
| 399 | Nursing Licensing Examination, shall remain on probationary |
| 400 | status until it the program achieves a graduate passage rate for |
| 401 | calendar year 2009 or 2010 that equals or exceeds the required |
| 402 | passage rate for the respective calendar year and compliance |
| 403 | with the program graduate passage rate requirement in paragraph |
| 404 | (5)(a). A program that is subject to this subparagraph must |
| 405 | disclose its probationary status in writing to the program's |
| 406 | students and applicants submit the report required under |
| 407 | paragraph (c) to the board by November 1, 2009, and annually |
| 408 | thereafter and must comply with paragraph (5)(c). If the program |
| 409 | does not achieve the required passage rate compliance by July 1, |
| 410 | 2011, the board shall terminate the program pursuant to chapter |
| 411 | 120 as provided in paragraph (5)(d). |
| 412 | (b) Each professional or practical nursing program that |
| 413 | has its application approved by the board under subsection (1) |
| 414 | on or after July 1, 2009, shall annually submit the report |
| 415 | required under paragraph (c) to the board by November 1 of each |
| 416 | year following initial approval of its application. |
| 417 | (4) ANNUAL REPORT.-By November 1 of each year, each |
| 418 | approved program shall submit to the board an |
| 419 | (c) The annual report comprised of required by this |
| 420 | subsection must include an affidavit certifying continued |
| 421 | compliance with paragraphs (1)(a)-(g) subsection (1), must |
| 422 | provide a summary description of the program's compliance with |
| 423 | paragraphs (1)(a)-(g) with subsection (1), and documentation |
| 424 | must document for the previous academic year that, to the extent |
| 425 | applicable, sets forth for each professional and practical |
| 426 | nursing program: |
| 427 | (a)1. The number of student applications received, the |
| 428 | number of qualified applicants, applicants and the number of |
| 429 | students accepted, accepted applicants who enroll in the |
| 430 | program, students enrolled in the program, and. |
| 431 | 2. the number of program graduates. |
| 432 | 3. The program's graduate passage rate on the National |
| 433 | Council of State Boards of Nursing Licensing Examination. |
| 434 | (b)4. The program's retention rates for students tracked |
| 435 | from program entry to graduation. |
| 436 | (c)5. The program's accreditation status, including |
| 437 | identification of the accrediting agency if such agency is not |
| 438 | an accrediting agency described in s. 464.003(1) body. |
| 439 | (2)(3) PROGRAM APPROVAL.- |
| 440 | (a) Upon receipt of a If an institution's program |
| 441 | application and review fee, the department shall examine the |
| 442 | application to determine whether it is complete. If a program |
| 443 | application is not complete incomplete, the department board |
| 444 | shall notify the educational institution in writing of any |
| 445 | apparent errors or omissions within 30 days after the |
| 446 | department's receipt of the application and follow the |
| 447 | procedures in s. 120.60. A program application is deemed |
| 448 | complete upon the department's receipt of: |
| 449 | 1. The initial application, if the department does not |
| 450 | notify the educational institution of any errors or omissions |
| 451 | within the 30-day period; or |
| 452 | 2. A revised application that corrects each error and |
| 453 | omission of which the department notifies the educational |
| 454 | institution within the 30-day period. |
| 455 | (b) Within 90 days after the department's receipt of a |
| 456 | complete program application, the board shall: |
| 457 | 1. Approve the If an institution's program application if |
| 458 | it documents does not document compliance with paragraphs |
| 459 | (1)(a)-(g); or the standards in subsection (1), within 90 days |
| 460 | after the board's receipt of the program application, the board |
| 461 | shall |
| 462 | 2. Provide the educational institution with a notice of |
| 463 | intent to deny the program application if it does not document |
| 464 | compliance with paragraphs (1)(a)-(g) that sets forth written |
| 465 | reasons for the denial. The notice must set forth written |
| 466 | reasons for the board's denial of the application. The board may |
| 467 | not deny a program application because of an educational |
| 468 | institution's failure to correct any error or omission of which |
| 469 | the department does not notify the institution within the 30-day |
| 470 | notice period under paragraph (a). The educational institution |
| 471 | may request a hearing on the notice of intent to deny the |
| 472 | program application pursuant to chapter 120. |
| 473 | (c) A program application is deemed approved if the board |
| 474 | does not act within the 90-day review period provided under |
| 475 | paragraph (b). |
| 476 | (d) Upon the board's approval of a program application, |
| 477 | the program becomes an approved program. |
| 478 | (5)(4) INTERNET WEBSITE.-By October 1, 2010, the board |
| 479 | shall publish the following information on its Internet website: |
| 480 | (a) A list of each accredited program conducted in the |
| 481 | state and the program's graduate passage rates for the most |
| 482 | recent 2 calendar years, which the department shall determine |
| 483 | through the following sources: |
| 484 | 1. For a program's accreditation status, the specialized |
| 485 | accrediting agencies that are nationally recognized by the |
| 486 | United States Secretary of Education to accredit nursing |
| 487 | education programs. |
| 488 | 2. For a program's graduate passage rates, the contract |
| 489 | testing service of the National Council of State Boards of |
| 490 | Nursing. |
| 491 | (b) The following data for each approved program, which on |
| 492 | nursing programs located in the state. The data shall include, |
| 493 | to the extent applicable: |
| 494 | 1.(a) All documentation provided by the program in its |
| 495 | applicant for each approved nursing program application if |
| 496 | submitted on or after July 1, 2009. |
| 497 | 2.(b) The summary description of the each program's |
| 498 | compliance as submitted under subsection (4) paragraph (2)(c). |
| 499 | (c) A comprehensive list of each practical and |
| 500 | professional nursing program in the state. |
| 501 | 3.(d) The program's accreditation status for each program, |
| 502 | including identification of the accrediting agency if such |
| 503 | agency is not an accrediting agency described in s. 464.003(1) |
| 504 | body. |
| 505 | 4.(e) The Each program's approval or probationary status. |
| 506 | 5.(f) The Each program's graduate passage rates for the |
| 507 | most recent 2 calendar years rate on the National Council of |
| 508 | State Boards of Nursing Licensing Examination. |
| 509 | (g) The national average for passage rates on the National |
| 510 | Council of State Boards of Nursing Licensing Examination. |
| 511 | 6.(h) Each program's retention rates for students tracked |
| 512 | from program entry to graduation. |
| 513 | (c) The average passage rates for United States educated |
| 514 | first-time test takers on the National Council of State Boards |
| 515 | of Nursing Licensing Examination for the most recent 2 calendar |
| 516 | years, as calculated by the contract testing service of the |
| 517 | National Council of State Boards of Nursing. The average passage |
| 518 | rates shall be published separately for each type of comparable |
| 519 | degree program listed in sub-subparagraphs (6)(a)1.a.-d. |
| 520 |
|
| 521 | The information data required to be published under this |
| 522 | subsection shall be made available in a manner that allows |
| 523 | interactive searches and comparisons of individual specific |
| 524 | nursing education programs selected by the website user. The |
| 525 | board shall publish the data by December 31, 2009, and update |
| 526 | the Internet website at least quarterly with the available |
| 527 | information data. |
| 528 | (6)(5) ACCOUNTABILITY.- |
| 529 | (a)1. An approved program must achieve a graduate passage |
| 530 | rate that is not lower than 10 percentage points less than the |
| 531 | average passage rate for graduates of comparable degree programs |
| 532 | who are United States educated first-time test takers on the |
| 533 | National Council of State Boards of Nursing Licensing |
| 534 | Examination during a calendar year, as calculated by the |
| 535 | contract testing service of the National Council of State Boards |
| 536 | of Nursing. For purposes of this subparagraph, an approved |
| 537 | program is comparable to all degree programs of the same program |
| 538 | type from among the following program types: |
| 539 | a. Professional nursing education programs that terminate |
| 540 | in a bachelor's degree. |
| 541 | b. Professional nursing education programs that terminate |
| 542 | in an associate degree. |
| 543 | c. Professional nursing education programs that terminate |
| 544 | in a diploma. |
| 545 | d. Practical nursing education programs. |
| 546 | 2. Beginning with graduate passage rates for calendar year |
| 547 | 2010, if an approved a professional or practical nursing |
| 548 | program's average graduate passage rates do not equal or exceed |
| 549 | the required passage rates rate for first-time test takers on |
| 550 | the National Council of State Boards of Nursing Licensing |
| 551 | Examination falls 10 percent or more below the national average |
| 552 | passage rate for first-time test takers educated in the United |
| 553 | States, as annually published by the contract testing service of |
| 554 | the National Council of State Boards of Nursing, for 2 |
| 555 | consecutive calendar years, the board shall place the program on |
| 556 | probationary status pursuant to chapter 120 probation and the |
| 557 | program director must shall be required to appear before the |
| 558 | board to present a plan for remediation. The program shall |
| 559 | remain on probationary status until it achieves a compliance |
| 560 | with the graduate passage rate that equals or exceeds the |
| 561 | required passage rate for any one calendar year. |
| 562 | 3. Upon the program's achievement of a graduate passage |
| 563 | rate that equals or exceeds the required passage rate, |
| 564 | requirement and shall be terminated by the board, at its next |
| 565 | regularly scheduled meeting following release of the program's |
| 566 | graduate passage rate by the National Council of State Boards of |
| 567 | Nursing, shall remove the program's probationary status. |
| 568 | However, under paragraph (d) if the program, during the 2 |
| 569 | calendar years following its placement on probationary status, |
| 570 | does not achieve the required passage rate for any one |
| 571 | compliance within 2 calendar year, the board shall terminate the |
| 572 | program pursuant to chapter 120 years. |
| 573 | (b) If an approved a program fails to submit the annual |
| 574 | report required in subsection (4) (2), the board shall notify |
| 575 | the program director and president or chief executive officer of |
| 576 | the educational institution in writing within 15 days after the |
| 577 | due date of the annual report. The program director must appear |
| 578 | before the board at the board's next regularly scheduled meeting |
| 579 | to explain the reason for the delay place the program on |
| 580 | probation. The board program shall terminate the program |
| 581 | pursuant to chapter 120 remain on probationary status until it |
| 582 | submits the annual report and shall be terminated by the board |
| 583 | under paragraph (d) if it does not submit the annual report |
| 584 | within 6 months after the report's due date. |
| 585 | (c) An approved A program placed on probationary status |
| 586 | shall disclose its probationary status in writing to the |
| 587 | program's students and applicants. |
| 588 | (d) The board shall terminate a program that fails to |
| 589 | comply with subparagraph (2)(a)2., paragraph (a), or paragraph |
| 590 | (b) pursuant to chapter 120. |
| 591 | (7) DISCLOSURE OF GRADUATE PASSAGE RATE DATA.- |
| 592 | (a) For each of an approved program's or accredited |
| 593 | program's graduates included in the calculation of the program's |
| 594 | graduate passage rate, the department shall disclose to the |
| 595 | program director, upon his or her written request, the name, |
| 596 | examination date, and determination of whether each graduate |
| 597 | passed or failed the National Council for State Boards of |
| 598 | Nursing Licensing Examination, to the extent that such |
| 599 | information is provided to the department by the contract |
| 600 | testing service of the National Council for State Boards of |
| 601 | Nursing. The written request must specify the calendar years for |
| 602 | which the information is requested. |
| 603 | (b) A program director to whom confidential information |
| 604 | exempt from public disclosure pursuant to s. 456.014 is |
| 605 | disclosed under this subsection must maintain the |
| 606 | confidentiality of the information and is subject to the same |
| 607 | penalties provided in s. 456.082 for department employees who |
| 608 | unlawfully disclose confidential information. |
| 609 | (8)(6) PROGRAM CLOSURE.- |
| 610 | (a) An educational institution conducting an approved |
| 611 | program or accredited a nursing program in this state, at least |
| 612 | 30 days before voluntarily closing the program, that closes |
| 613 | shall notify the board in writing of the institution's reason |
| 614 | for closing the program, the intended closure date, the |
| 615 | institution's plan to provide for or assist in the completion of |
| 616 | training by the program's students, and advise the board of the |
| 617 | arrangements for storage of the program's permanent |
| 618 | (b) An educational institution conducting a nursing |
| 619 | education program that is terminated under subsection (6) or |
| 620 | closed under subparagraph (10)(b)3.: |
| 621 | 1. May not accept or enroll new students. |
| 622 | 2. Must submit to the board within 30 days after the |
| 623 | program is terminated or closed a written description of how the |
| 624 | institution will assist in the completion of training by the |
| 625 | program's students and the institution's arrangements for |
| 626 | storage of the program's permanent records. |
| 627 | (c) If an educational institution does not comply with |
| 628 | paragraph (a) or paragraph (b), the board shall provide a |
| 629 | written notice explaining the institution's noncompliance to the |
| 630 | following persons and entities: |
| 631 | 1. The president or chief executive officer of the |
| 632 | educational institution. |
| 633 | 2. The Board of Governors, if the program is conducted by |
| 634 | a state university. |
| 635 | 3. The district school board, if the program is conducted |
| 636 | by an educational institution operated by a school district. |
| 637 | 4. The Commission for Independent Education, if the |
| 638 | program is conducted by an educational institution licensed |
| 639 | under chapter 1005. |
| 640 | 5. The State Board of Education, if the program is |
| 641 | conducted by an educational institution in the Florida College |
| 642 | System or by an educational institution that is not subject to |
| 643 | subparagraphs 2.-4. |
| 644 | (9)(7) RULEMAKING.-The board does not have any rulemaking |
| 645 | authority to administer this section, except that the board |
| 646 | shall adopt a rule that prescribes the format for submitting |
| 647 | program applications under subsection (1) and annual reports |
| 648 | submitting summary descriptions of program compliance under |
| 649 | subsection (4) paragraph (2)(c). The board may not impose any |
| 650 | condition or requirement on an educational institution |
| 651 | submitting a program application, an approved program, or an |
| 652 | accredited program, a program on probationary status except as |
| 653 | expressly provided in this section. The board shall repeal all |
| 654 | rules, or portions thereof, in existence on July 1, 2009, that |
| 655 | are inconsistent with this subsection. |
| 656 | (10) APPLICABILITY TO ACCREDITED PROGRAMS.- |
| 657 | (a) Subsections (1)-(4), paragraph (5)(b), and subsection |
| 658 | (6) do not apply to an accredited program. An accredited program |
| 659 | on probationary status before July 1, 2010, ceases to be subject |
| 660 | to the probationary status. |
| 661 | (b) If an accredited program ceases to be accredited, the |
| 662 | educational institution conducting the program: |
| 663 | 1. Within 10 business days after the program ceases to be |
| 664 | accredited, must provide written notice of the date that the |
| 665 | program ceased to be accredited to the board, the program's |
| 666 | students and applicants, and each entity providing clinical |
| 667 | training sites or community-based clinical experience sites for |
| 668 | the program. The educational institution must continue to |
| 669 | provide the written notice to new students, applicants, and |
| 670 | entities providing clinical training sites or community-based |
| 671 | clinical experience sites for the program until the program |
| 672 | becomes an approved program or is closed under subparagraph 3. |
| 673 | 2. Within 30 days after the program ceases to be |
| 674 | accredited, must submit an affidavit to the board, signed by the |
| 675 | educational institution's president or chief executive officer, |
| 676 | that certifies the institution's compliance with subparagraph 1. |
| 677 | The board shall notify the persons listed in subparagraph |
| 678 | (8)(c)1. and the applicable entities listed in subparagraphs |
| 679 | (8)(c)2.-5. if an educational institution does not submit the |
| 680 | affidavit required by this subparagraph. |
| 681 | 3. May apply to become an approved program under this |
| 682 | section. If the educational institution: |
| 683 | a. Within 30 days after the program ceases to be |
| 684 | accredited, submits a program application and review fee to the |
| 685 | department under subsection (1) and the affidavit required under |
| 686 | subparagraph 2., the program shall be deemed an approved program |
| 687 | from the date that the program ceased to be accredited until the |
| 688 | date that the board approves or denies the program application. |
| 689 | The program application must be denied by the board pursuant to |
| 690 | chapter 120 if it does not contain the affidavit. If the board |
| 691 | denies the program application under subsection (2) or because |
| 692 | the program application does not contain the affidavit, the |
| 693 | program shall be closed and the educational institution |
| 694 | conducting the program must comply with paragraph (8)(b). |
| 695 | b. Does not apply to become an approved program pursuant |
| 696 | to sub-subparagraph a., the program shall be deemed an approved |
| 697 | program from the date that the program ceased to be accredited |
| 698 | until the 31st day after that date. On the 31st day after the |
| 699 | program ceased to be accredited, the program shall be closed and |
| 700 | the educational institution conducting the program must comply |
| 701 | with paragraph (8)(b). |
| 702 | (8) The Florida Center for Nursing and the Office of |
| 703 | Program Policy Analysis and Government Accountability shall |
| 704 | each: |
| 705 | (a) Monitor the administration of this section and |
| 706 | evaluate the effectiveness of this section in achieving quality |
| 707 | nursing programs with a higher production of quality nursing |
| 708 | graduates. |
| 709 | (b) Report its findings and make recommendations, if |
| 710 | warranted, to improve the effectiveness of this section to the |
| 711 | Governor, the President of the Senate, and the Speaker of the |
| 712 | House of Representatives by February 1, 2010. |
| 713 | (11)(9) IMPLEMENTATION STUDY.-The Florida Center for |
| 714 | Nursing and the education policy area of the Office of Program |
| 715 | Policy Analysis and Government Accountability shall study the 5- |
| 716 | year administration of this section and submit reports to the |
| 717 | Governor, the President of the Senate, and the Speaker of the |
| 718 | House of Representatives by January 30, 2011, and annually |
| 719 | thereafter through January 30, 2015. The annual reports shall |
| 720 | address the previous academic year; set forth data on the |
| 721 | measures specified in paragraphs (a) and (b) for each |
| 722 | prelicensure practical and professional nursing program in the |
| 723 | state, as such data becomes available; and include an evaluation |
| 724 | of such data for purposes of determining whether this section is |
| 725 | increasing the availability of nursing education programs and |
| 726 | the production of quality nurses. The department and each |
| 727 | approved program or accredited program shall comply with |
| 728 | requests for data from the Florida Center for Nursing and the |
| 729 | education policy area of the Office of Program Policy Analysis |
| 730 | and Government Accountability. |
| 731 | (a) The education policy area of the Office of Program |
| 732 | Policy Analysis and Government Accountability shall evaluate |
| 733 | program-specific data for each approved program and accredited |
| 734 | program conducted in the state, including, but not limited to: |
| 735 | 1. The number of nursing education programs and student |
| 736 | slots available. |
| 737 | 2. The number of student applications submitted, the |
| 738 | number of qualified applicants, and the number of students |
| 739 | accepted. |
| 740 | 3. The number of program graduates. |
| 741 | 4. Program retention rates of students tracked from |
| 742 | program entry to graduation. |
| 743 | 5. Graduate passage rates on the National Council of State |
| 744 | Boards of Nursing Licensing Examination. |
| 745 | 6. The number of graduates who become employed as |
| 746 | practical or professional nurses in the state. |
| 747 | (b) The Florida Center for Nursing shall evaluate the |
| 748 | board's implementation of the: |
| 749 | 1. Program application approval process, including, but |
| 750 | not limited to, the number of program applications submitted |
| 751 | under subsection (1); the number of program applications |
| 752 | approved and denied by the board under subsection (2) |
| 753 | subsections (1) and (3); the number of denials of program |
| 754 | applications reviewed under chapter 120; and a description of |
| 755 | the outcomes of those reviews. |
| 756 | 2. Accountability Probation and termination processes, |
| 757 | including, but not limited to, the number of programs placed on |
| 758 | probationary status, the number of approved programs for which |
| 759 | the program director is required to appear before the board |
| 760 | under subsection (6), the number of approved programs terminated |
| 761 | by the board under paragraph (5)(d), the number of terminations |
| 762 | reviewed under chapter 120, and a description of the outcomes of |
| 763 | those reviews. |
| 764 | (c) For any state fiscal year in which the Florida Center |
| 765 | for Nursing does not receive legislative appropriations, the |
| 766 | education policy area of the Office of Program Policy Analysis |
| 767 | and Government Accountability shall perform the duties assigned |
| 768 | by this subsection to the Florida Center for Nursing. |
| 769 | Section 6. Subsection (4) of section 464.022, Florida |
| 770 | Statutes, is amended to read: |
| 771 | 464.022 Exceptions.-No provision of this part shall be |
| 772 | construed to prohibit: |
| 773 | (4) The practice of nursing by graduates of prelicensure |
| 774 | nursing education approved programs listed in s. 464.008(1)(c) |
| 775 | or the equivalent, pending the result of the first licensing |
| 776 | examination for which they are eligible following graduation, |
| 777 | provided they practice under direct supervision of a registered |
| 778 | professional nurse. The board shall by rule define what |
| 779 | constitutes direct supervision. |
| 780 | Section 7. Paragraph (a) of subsection (1) and subsection |
| 781 | (2) of section 458.348, Florida Statutes, are amended to read: |
| 782 | 458.348 Formal supervisory relationships, standing orders, |
| 783 | and established protocols; notice; standards.- |
| 784 | (1) NOTICE.- |
| 785 | (a) When a physician enters into a formal supervisory |
| 786 | relationship or standing orders with an emergency medical |
| 787 | technician or paramedic licensed pursuant to s. 401.27, which |
| 788 | relationship or orders contemplate the performance of medical |
| 789 | acts, or when a physician enters into an established protocol |
| 790 | with an advanced registered nurse practitioner, which protocol |
| 791 | contemplates the performance of medical acts identified and |
| 792 | approved by the joint committee pursuant to s. 464.003(2)(3)(d) |
| 793 | or acts set forth in s. 464.012(3) and (4), the physician shall |
| 794 | submit notice to the board. The notice shall contain a statement |
| 795 | in substantially the following form: |
| 796 | I, ...(name and professional license number of |
| 797 | physician)..., of ...(address of physician)... have hereby |
| 798 | entered into a formal supervisory relationship, standing orders, |
| 799 | or an established protocol with ...(number of persons)... |
| 800 | emergency medical technician(s), ...(number of persons)... |
| 801 | paramedic(s), or ...(number of persons)... advanced registered |
| 802 | nurse practitioner(s). |
| 803 | (2) ESTABLISHMENT OF STANDARDS BY JOINT COMMITTEE.-The |
| 804 | joint committee created under s. 464.003(2)(3)(d) shall |
| 805 | determine minimum standards for the content of established |
| 806 | protocols pursuant to which an advanced registered nurse |
| 807 | practitioner may perform medical acts identified and approved by |
| 808 | the joint committee pursuant to s. 464.003(2)(3)(d) or acts set |
| 809 | forth in s. 464.012(3) and (4) and shall determine minimum |
| 810 | standards for supervision of such acts by the physician, unless |
| 811 | the joint committee determines that any act set forth in s. |
| 812 | 464.012(3) or (4) is not a medical act. Such standards shall be |
| 813 | based on risk to the patient and acceptable standards of medical |
| 814 | care and shall take into account the special problems of |
| 815 | medically underserved areas. The standards developed by the |
| 816 | joint committee shall be adopted as rules by the Board of |
| 817 | Nursing and the Board of Medicine for purposes of carrying out |
| 818 | their responsibilities pursuant to part I of chapter 464 and |
| 819 | this chapter, respectively, but neither board shall have |
| 820 | disciplinary powers over the licensees of the other board. |
| 821 | Section 8. Paragraph (a) of subsection (1) of section |
| 822 | 459.025, Florida Statutes, is amended to read: |
| 823 | 459.025 Formal supervisory relationships, standing orders, |
| 824 | and established protocols; notice; standards.- |
| 825 | (1) NOTICE.- |
| 826 | (a) When an osteopathic physician enters into a formal |
| 827 | supervisory relationship or standing orders with an emergency |
| 828 | medical technician or paramedic licensed pursuant to s. 401.27, |
| 829 | which relationship or orders contemplate the performance of |
| 830 | medical acts, or when an osteopathic physician enters into an |
| 831 | established protocol with an advanced registered nurse |
| 832 | practitioner, which protocol contemplates the performance of |
| 833 | medical acts identified and approved by the joint committee |
| 834 | pursuant to s. 464.003(2)(3)(d) or acts set forth in s. |
| 835 | 464.012(3) and (4), the osteopathic physician shall submit |
| 836 | notice to the board. The notice must contain a statement in |
| 837 | substantially the following form: |
| 838 | I, ...(name and professional license number of osteopathic |
| 839 | physician)..., of ...(address of osteopathic physician)... have |
| 840 | hereby entered into a formal supervisory relationship, standing |
| 841 | orders, or an established protocol with ...(number of |
| 842 | persons)... emergency medical technician(s), ...(number of |
| 843 | persons)... paramedic(s), or ...(number of persons)... advanced |
| 844 | registered nurse practitioner(s). |
| 845 | Section 9. Paragraph (c) of subsection (3) of section |
| 846 | 464.012, Florida Statutes, is amended to read: |
| 847 | 464.012 Certification of advanced registered nurse |
| 848 | practitioners; fees.- |
| 849 | (3) An advanced registered nurse practitioner shall |
| 850 | perform those functions authorized in this section within the |
| 851 | framework of an established protocol that is filed with the |
| 852 | board upon biennial license renewal and within 30 days after |
| 853 | entering into a supervisory relationship with a physician or |
| 854 | changes to the protocol. The board shall review the protocol to |
| 855 | ensure compliance with applicable regulatory standards for |
| 856 | protocols. The board shall refer to the department licensees |
| 857 | submitting protocols that are not compliant with the regulatory |
| 858 | standards for protocols. A practitioner currently licensed under |
| 859 | chapter 458, chapter 459, or chapter 466 shall maintain |
| 860 | supervision for directing the specific course of medical |
| 861 | treatment. Within the established framework, an advanced |
| 862 | registered nurse practitioner may: |
| 863 | (c) Perform additional functions as may be determined by |
| 864 | rule in accordance with s. 464.003(2)(3)(d). |
| 865 | Section 10. Subsection (2) of section 960.28, Florida |
| 866 | Statutes, is amended to read: |
| 867 | 960.28 Payment for victims' initial forensic physical |
| 868 | examinations.- |
| 869 | (2) The Crime Victims' Services Office of the department |
| 870 | shall pay for medical expenses connected with an initial |
| 871 | forensic physical examination of a victim of sexual battery as |
| 872 | defined in chapter 794 or a lewd or lascivious offense as |
| 873 | defined in chapter 800. Such payment shall be made regardless of |
| 874 | whether the victim is covered by health or disability insurance |
| 875 | and whether the victim participates in the criminal justice |
| 876 | system or cooperates with law enforcement. The payment shall be |
| 877 | made only out of moneys allocated to the Crime Victims' Services |
| 878 | Office for the purposes of this section, and the payment may not |
| 879 | exceed $500 with respect to any violation. The department shall |
| 880 | develop and maintain separate protocols for the initial forensic |
| 881 | physical examination of adults and children. Payment under this |
| 882 | section is limited to medical expenses connected with the |
| 883 | initial forensic physical examination, and payment may be made |
| 884 | to a medical provider using an examiner qualified under part I |
| 885 | of chapter 464, excluding s. 464.003(16)(5); chapter 458; or |
| 886 | chapter 459. Payment made to the medical provider by the |
| 887 | department shall be considered by the provider as payment in |
| 888 | full for the initial forensic physical examination associated |
| 889 | with the collection of evidence. The victim may not be required |
| 890 | to pay, directly or indirectly, the cost of an initial forensic |
| 891 | physical examination performed in accordance with this section. |
| 892 | Section 11. This act shall take effect July 1, 2010. |