Tenn. Comp. R. & Regs. 1000-01-.18

Current through December 10, 2024

Section 1000-01-.18 - STANDARDS OF NURSING COMPETENCE

The Board requires all nurses holding an active license to document evidence of competence in their current practice role. The Board believes that the individual nurse is responsible for maintaining and demonstrating competence in the practice role. Nurses who have not practiced for more than five (5) years and do not intend to practice in the future, are not required to comply with this rule.

(1) All applicants for licensure, renewal of license, reactivation of license, or reinstatement of license must demonstrate current competency. For initial licensees, successfully completing the requirements for licensure, as applicable, shall be considered proof of sufficient competence to constitute compliance with this rule.

(2) For nurses who wish to maintain an active license, attesting to maintaining a personal file documenting continued competence may be considered proof of sufficient competence to constitute compliance with this rule. Such personal file shall include evidence of continued competency in the practice setting which shall consist of at least two (2) of the items below for the applicable renewal period:

(a) Licensed Practical Nurses and Registered Nurses:

1. A satisfactory employer evaluation.

2. A satisfactory peer evaluation.

3. Evidence of contract renewal, re-appointment, or continuing contract.

4. A written self-evaluation based on the standards of your profession.

5. Evidence of having initially obtained or maintained, during the most recent biennial renewal period, certification from a nationally recognized certification body appropriate to the individual's nursing practice.

6. Identification of two (2) or more areas of interest or goals and subsequent development, implementation, and evaluation, during the most recent biennial renewal period, of a plan to demonstrate competency for these areas of interest or goals based on nursing standards.

7. Evidence of having performed volunteer or community activities related to nursing including, but not limited to:

(i) Satisfactory volunteer work in a position using nursing knowledge, skills, and abilities. Examples are:

(I) The Red Cross.

(II) Homeless clinics.

(III) Parish nursing.

(ii) Service relevant to nursing on local, state, or national boards, commissions, foundations, or agencies.

8. For Registered Nurses, having participated in the formal education of students in a program leading to licensure as a Licensed Practical Nurse or Registered Nurse or within a program offering a bachelor's or advanced degree in nursing.

9. Successful completion of (10) contact hours per renewal period of continuing education/in-service education applicable to nursing practice.

10. Having authored a published article relevant to nursing in a professional journal acceptable to the Board.

11. Successful completion of a two (2) week Board-approved nursing refresher program.

12. Successful completion of a two (2) week Board-approved comprehensive orientation program offered by a prospective nursing employer.

13. Enrollment in an approved/accredited school of nursing leading to licensure as a Registered Nurse, RN-BSN completion, or to an advanced degree in nursing.

(i) The individual must have satisfactorily completed three (3) hours of nursing credits or equivalent during the past five (5) years.

(ii) An official transcript verifying the completion of nursing courses shall be maintained.

14. Having retaken and successfully completed the NCLEX®.

(b) Advanced Practice Registered Nurses:

1. Evidence of initial or continuing national certification; and

2. One (1) additional item from the Registered Nurse proof of competence list.

(c) Advanced Practice Registered Nurses holding a Certificate of Fitness:

1. Evidence of initial or continuing national certification; and

2. One (1) additional item from the Registered Nurse proof of competence list; and

3. A. minimum of two (2) contact hours of continuing education designed specifically to address controlled substance prescribing practices. The continuing education must include instruction in the Tennessee Department of Health's treatment guidelines on opioids, benzodiazepines, barbiturates, and carisoprodol, and may include such other topics as medicine addiction and risk management tools.

(3) Documentation of compliance.

(a) Each active licensee must retain documentation of completion of all continued competence requirements of this rule for a period of four (4) years from when the requirements were completed. This documentation must be produced for inspection and verification, if requested in writing by the Board during its verification process.

(b) The active licensee must, within thirty (30) days of a request from the Board, provide evidence of continued competence activities.

(c) Any active licensee who fails to complete the continued competence activities or who falsely certifies completion of continued competence activities may be subject to disciplinary action pursuant to T.C.A. §§ 63-7-115, 63-7-116, and 63-7-207.

(4) Nurses seeking to reactivate their licenses after more than five (5) years break from practice, shall submit proof of one (1) of the following as evidence of continued nursing competence:

(a) Ten (10) contact hours of continuing education for each year of inactivity.

(b) An article relevant to nursing authored by the applicant and published during the period of inactivity in a professional journal acceptable to the Board.

(c) Successful completion of a two (2) week Board-approved nursing refresher program.

(d) Successful completion of a two (2) week Board-approved comprehensive orientation program offered by a prospective nursing employer.

(e) Enrollment in an approved/accredited school of nursing leading to licensure as a Registered Nurse, RN-BSN completion or to an advanced degree in nursing.

1. The individual must have satisfactorily completed three (3) hours of nursing credits or equivalent during the past five (5) years.

2. An official transcript verifying the completion of nursing courses shall be submitted.

(f) Current certification in an appropriate nursing specialty area.

(g) Successful NCLEX® re-examination.

Tenn. Comp. R. & Regs. 1000-01-.18

Original rule filed March 14, 2006; effective May 28, 2006. Repeal and new rules filed July 10, 2024; effective 10/8/2024.

Authority: T.C.A. §§ 63-1-402, 63-7-101, 63-7-103, 63-7-109, 63-7-110, 63-7-114, and 63-7-207.