HJBR Sep/Oct 2021

HEALTHCARE JOURNAL OF BATON ROUGE I  SEP / OCT 2021 39 Jennifer Wright, DNP, APRN, FNP-BC, FAANP Chief Nursing Officer Louisiana State Board of Nursing in their primary state of residence (PSOR), which is typically indicated by the state in which they are authorized to vote and hold a driver’s license. The NLC is evolving and is currently comprised of 38 jurisdictions in the United States. The current map of the NLC states is at Nurse Licensure Com- pact (NLC) | NCSBN ( https://www.ncsbn. org/nurse-licensure-compact.htm). RNs with an active MSL are authorized to practice, under a privilege to practice (PTP), in any compact state provided no discipline or restriction is taken on the MSL or PTP. The MSL is not a separate RN license but rather reflects the “type” of RN license held (i.e., single state vs. multistate) by the individual. Thus, the RN MSL is re- newed when the usual RN renewal appli- cation is submitted. A separate renewal application to renew the multistate status of the license is not required. RNs with an MSL issued by another compact state may submit an application to voluntarily inactivate their Louisiana RN license, or they may allow the Louisiana RN license to lapse, which will occur at midnight CST January 31, 2022. For APRNs to be eligible to renew their license issued by LSBN, they must either have a current Louisiana RN license or have an RN MSL issued by another com- pact state. APRNs issued a Louisiana RN license that is active and who hold an RN MSL from another compact state that is their PSOR must not renew the Louisi- ana RN license. APRNs should see the instructions in the previous issue of The Examiner for instructions to inactivate the RN license issued by LSBN prior to being allowed to renew the APRN license. The steps required are time sensitive and need immediate attention from the licensee. Licensure renewal also involves consid- eration of regulations related to continu- ing education (CE) and nursing practice. LSBN’s requirements are in alignment with national trends and guidelines of other nursing regulatory agencies in the U.S. Each year, following renewal season, a random audit is performed by LSBN to ensure compliance with requirements. All Louisiana licensed RNs, except those is- sued a first-time Louisiana license in the 2021 calendar year, must be in compliance with LSBN rules regarding nursing CE and nursing practice requirements. For RN license renewal, at least one of the two options below must have been completed during the two-year licensure period: 1. A minimum of 30 board-approved contact hours of continuing educa- tion during the two-year licensure period. 2. A minimum of 900 practice hours during the two-year licensure period as verified by the employer on a form provided by the board. There are no separate requirements for compact licensure issued by LSBN. Fur- ther details including some exceptions and the definition of the practice of nursing and roles that RNs fulfill are available at CE Brochure ( lsbn.state.la.us) . For APRNs with prescriptive authority, they must obtain six CEs in pharmaco- therapeutics each year. Act 76 of Louisi- ana’s 2017 legislative session mandates that prescribers of controlled substances in Louisiana obtain three credit hours of CEs as a prerequisite of license renew- al. Content of the CE must include drug diversion training, best practices for the prescribing of controlled substances, ap- propriate treatment for addiction and any other content deemed appropriate by the regulatory agency. For additional information, contact LSBN at renewals@lsbn.state.la.us . n JenniferWright,DNP,APRN,FNP-BC,FAANP, is serv- ing as a leader in advancing nursing workforce, edu- cation and practice as the chief nursing officer of the Louisiana State Board of Nursing. She has 30 years of experience as an RN and FNPwith expertise in the critical, primary and urgent care settings as well as policymaking in Louisiana, California and NewMex- ico. She is actively involved with local and national organizations dedicated to initiatives for the Future of Nursing Campaign and organizations committed to regulatory excellence and nursing issues.