| Committee of Jurisdiction: | Health and Human Services |
| Occupation Regulated: | Nursing, Registered Nurses (RN) and Licensed Practical Nurses (LPN) |
| Occupational Board: | Nebraska Board of Nursing |
| Contact: | Ann Oertwich PhD, RN |
| Purpose: | Mandatory licensure for RNs and LPNs was put in place to protect the public from harm. |
| Regulated Professionals: | 37,944 |
| Year Created: | 1909 |
| Year Active: | 1909 |
| Sunset Date: | none |
| Statutory Authorization: | NE Rev Stat ยง 38-167; Nurse Practice Act is 38-2201 thru 38-2238 |
| Parent Agency: | DHHS Public Health Licensure Unit |
| Number of Members: | 12 |
| Who Appoints: | Board of Health |
| Legislative Approval: | no |
| Qualifications of Members: | Eight RNs: 0ne practical nurse educator; one associate degree nurse educator; one baccalaureate nurse educator; two nursing service administrators; two staff RNs; and one advanced practice registered nurse (APRN); two LPNs, and two public members. |
| Per Diem: | Yes |
| Expense Reimbursement: | Yes |
| Term Length: | 5 years, may serve two terms |
| Terms Rotate or Expire at Once: | Terms Rotate |
| Required FY 2019-2018: | 1 |
| Held FY 2019-2018: | 12 |
| Required FY 2018-2017: | 1 |
| Held FY 2018-2017: | 12 |
| Required FY 2017-2016: | 1 |
| Held FY 2017-2016: | 12 |
| Required FY 2016-2015: | 1 |
| Held FY 2016-2015: | 12 |
| Required FY 2015-2014: | 1 |
| Held FY 2015-2014: | 12 |
| Support Staff: | 8 - 1 RN,EO; 2 RN consultants; 4 health licensing specialists and a Board coordinator |
| Shared or Separate: | Six RN investigators |
| FY 2019-2018 Budget: | 1908666 |
| FY 2018-2017 Budget: | 1803161 |
| FY 2017-2016 Budget: | 136000 |
| FY 2016-2015 Budget: | 146000 |
| FY 2015-2014 Budget: | 102000 |
| Other Funding Sources: | National Council of State Boards of Nursing pays for travel to national meetings |
| Spending Authority: | none |
| Government Certificates Issued: | 12847 |
| Issued Certificate Descriptions: | 11,157 RN licenses 1,690 LPN licenses |
| Government Certificates Revoked: | 50 |
| Revoked Certificate Descriptions: | Violation of terms of probation - 18 cases Unprofessional Conduct - 25 cases Criminal Convictions - 14 cases Substance Use Disorder - 11 cases Dishonorable Conduct - 10 cases Controlled Substance violation - 9 cases Misrepresentation of facts - 8 |
| Government Certificates Denied: | 42 |
| Denied Certificate Descriptions: | Initial licenses denied - 21 Reasons: Criminal convictions (17), discipline in another state (8), substance use disorder (6), & misrepresentation of facts (5). 21 reinstatements from revocation/suspension denied due to insufficient evidence of reform. |
| Government Certificates Penalties Against: | 440 |
| Penalty Certificate Descriptions: | Probation: 175 licenses Suspensions: 75 licenses Censure & Civil Penalty: 67 licenses Censure only: 92 licenses Civil Penalty only: 28 licenses Limitation: 3 licenses |
| Explanation of Effectiveness: | https://nebraskalegislature.gov/pdf/SurveyDocs/explanation1592255088.pdf |
| Potential Harm | Harm to patients in an unregulated environment would be considerable. Patient care has become highly technical and advanced. Regulations provide the public the assurance of safe care. The title Nurse is a protected title for that reason. |
| Regulation Comparison: | https://nebraskalegislature.gov/pdf/SurveyDocs/comparison1592255088.pdf |
| Subject to Regulations of Act(LB407): | Yes |
| Survey Submitted: | June 15, 2020 04:04 PM |