Occupational Board Reform Act

General Information

Committee of Jurisdiction:Health and Human Services
Occupation Regulated:Advanced Practice Registered Nurses (APRNs)
Occupational Board:Board of Advanced Practice Registered Nurses
Contact:Ann Oertwich, Program Manager
Purpose:Standards for licensure requirements and professional practice are necessary to protect the health and safety of the public
Regulated Professionals:3383
Year Created:1996 (before est. of board, APRNs were jointly regulated by Brd of Nursing and Brd of Medicine
Year Active:1997
Sunset Date:none

Authorization

Statutory Authorization:Neb Rev Stat 38-201, The Advanced Practice Registered Nurse Practice Act
Parent Agency:Dept of Health and Human Services

Membership

Number of Members:9
Who Appoints:Board of Health
Legislative Approval:No
Qualifications of Members:1 APRN-Nurse Practitioner(NP), 1 APRN-CRNA, 1 APRN-Certified Nurse Midwife, 1 APRN-Clinical Nurse Specialist, 1 physician who works with NPs, 1 physician who works with CRNAs, 1 physician who works with Certified Nurse Midwives, & 2 public members
Per Diem:Yes
Expense Reimbursement:Yes
Term Length:5 years
Terms Rotate or Expire at Once:Terms Rotate

Meetings

Required FY 2019-2018:0
Held FY 2019-2018:0
Required FY 2018-2017:0
Held FY 2018-2017:0
Required FY 2017-2016:0
Held FY 2017-2016:0
Required FY 2016-2015:0
Held FY 2016-2015:0
Required FY 2015-2014:0
Held FY 2015-2014:0

Operations

Support Staff:5
Shared or Separate:Shared
FY 2019-2018 Budget:32440
FY 2018-2017 Budget:102925
FY 2017-2016 Budget:112294
FY 2016-2015 Budget:8104
FY 2015-2014 Budget:21906
Other Funding Sources:Travel expenses to National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN) meetings are paid by NCSBN
Spending Authority:Neb Rev Stat 38-151 to 38-157, & 38-211

Other

Government Certificates Issued:1650
Issued Certificate Descriptions:1,347 Nurse Practitioners, 269 Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists, 21 Certified Nurse Midwives, & 13 Clinical Nurse Specialists
Government Certificates Revoked:0
Revoked Certificate Descriptions:Not applicable: no APRN licenses were revoked
Government Certificates Denied:1
Denied Certificate Descriptions:Nurse Practitioner license denied due to substance use disorder and drug/alcohol-related misdemeanor convictions.
Government Certificates Penalties Against:6
Penalty Certificate Descriptions:No monetary civil penalties assessed. 3 licenses placed on probation due to substance use disorders. 2 licenses censured for unprofessional conduct. 1 license suspended for controlled substance violations & practicing while impaired.
Explanation of Effectiveness:https://nebraskalegislature.gov/pdf/SurveyDocs/explanation1592427351.pdf
Potential HarmGrave harm to the public would occur if APRNs were not licensed/certified or regulated
Regulation Comparison:https://nebraskalegislature.gov/pdf/SurveyDocs/comparison1592427351.pdf
Subject to Regulations of Act(LB407):Yes
Survey Submitted: June 17, 2020 03:55 PM