N.J. Admin. Code § 8:43G-18.3

Current through Register Vol. 56, No. 11, June 3, 2024

Section 8:43G-18.3 - Nursing care staff qualifications

(a) The nursing care service shall be directed on a full-time basis by a chief nursing executive who has at least one of the following qualifications:

1. Is a registered professional nurse with a baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university, and five years combined clinical and progressive management experience in nursing;

2. Is a registered professional nurse with a baccalaureate degree in nursing science and three years combined clinical and progressive management experience in nursing; or

3. Is a registered professional nurse with a baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university and a master's degree in nursing or a health related field from an accredited college or university and three years combined clinical and progressive management experience in nursing.

(b) Any individual holding the title of chief nursing executive upon the effective date of these rules shall be exempt from the qualifications in (a) above.

(c) Before newly hired nurses provide patient care services, the hospital shall verify licensure or permission to work letters by visually examining the current pocket license or original permission to work letter.

(d) Before newly hired nurses provide patient care services, they shall receive orientation that takes into account each individual's competency and skills and includes at least:

1. The policies and procedures of the nursing service;

2. How to find a written copy of the policies and procedures of the service to which he or she will be assigned;

3. Available resources; and

4. Channels of communication, emergency and otherwise.

(e) The hospital shall develop and implement a criteria-based system for evaluating at least annually the performance of each nursing service employee.

(f) The hospital, under the direction of the nursing service, shall utilize the approved State Board of Nursing Unlicensed Assistive Personnel (UAP) curriculum, incorporated herein by reference, as amended and supplemented, in the development and implementation of a training program for unlicensed assistive personnel. There shall be methods for evaluating minimal competencies and a requirement for annual in-service education. A copy of the State Board of Nursing UAP curriculum may be obtained by sending a request to the following address:

Executive Director

State Board of Nursing

124 Halsey Street

Newark, New Jersey 07102

(g) The hospital, under the direction of the nursing service, shall develop and implement a training program for unlicensed assistive personnel including training and demonstrations in basic nursing tasks and incorporating the principles of patient rights, infection control, and safety. There shall be methods for evaluating minimal competencies and a requirement for annual in-service education.

(h) The hospital shall have a system for evaluating all supplemental nursing staff, including agency and hospital registry nurses, and excluding from use those who do not receive favorable evaluations.

(i) There shall be a system for defining and evaluating the practices of private duty nursing personnel.

N.J. Admin. Code § 8:43G-18.3

Amended by R.1999 d.436, effective 12/20/1999.
See: 31 New Jersey Register 367(a), 31 New Jersey Register 614(a), 31 New Jersey Register 4293(c).
Inserted a new (f); and recodified former (f) and (g) as (g) and (h).
Amended by R.2000 d.71, effective 2/22/2000.
See: 31 New Jersey Register 2732(a), 32 New Jersey Register 707(a).
Inserted a new (f); and recodified former (f) through (h) as (g) through (i).