WSR 14-21-007

PREPROPOSAL STATEMENT OF INQUIRY

[Filed October 2, 2014, 8:32 a.m.]

Subject of Possible Rule Making: WAC 246-840-125 and 246-840-202 through 246-840-207, retired active credential and nurse continuing competency. Review and, if needed, update, clarify, and modify existing standards; create exemptions for those seeking advanced nursing degrees; and incorporate new suicide prevention training requirements.

Statutes Authorizing the Agency to Adopt Rules on this Subject: RCW 18.79.110 and 43.70.442.

Reasons Why Rules on this Subject may be Needed and What They Might Accomplish: SB 5092 (chapter 229, Laws of 2013, codified in RCW 18.79.110) requires that the nursing care quality assurance commission (commission) adopt continuing competency (CC) rules. Registered nurses in advanced nursing programs must be exempt from CC requirements. The commission may also allow additional exemptions in specific circumstances. RCW 43.70.442, as amended by chapter 71, Laws of 2014, requires that licensed and retired active nurses complete suicide assessment, treatment, and management training. This is being merged into current work to generally update CC requirements and may identify exemptions, class hours required, and timing in relation to license renewal.

Other Federal and State Agencies that Regulate this Subject and the Process Coordinating the Rule with These Agencies: None.

Process for Developing New Rule: Collaborative rule making.

Interested parties can participate in the decision to adopt the new rule and formulation of the proposed rule before publication. This work is continued from an earlier CR-101 (WSR 13-22-068 published November 20, 2013). Public workshops were held related to the provisions of SB 5092. HB [ESHB] 2315 passed and additional workshops were held related to suicide prevention. Another workshop is planned. Stakeholders will be informed of work in progress and the public hearing via the commission's listserv and web page. Interested parties may sign up for the listserv at http://listserv.wa.gov/cgi-bin/wa?SUBED1=nursing-qac&A=1 or contact Teresa Corrado, Licensing Manager, Department of Health, NCQAC, P.O. Box 47684, Olympia, WA 98504-7864, (360) 236-4708, Nursing@doh.wa.gov.

September 30, 2014

Paula R. Meyer, MSN, RN

Executive Director, NCQAC