National Nurses Month 2023
A note from Executive Director:
Kathy Weinberg, MSN, RN
To my fellow nurses,
Happy Happy Nurses Month!
If you ask me, nurses should be celebrated every day. Nurses are an integral part of the entire health care system. So what is it that makes nursing so very important?
Nursing is an educated profession.
Nursing practice is based on sound standards of care.
For years nurses have been voted as the most trusted profession.
Everywhere you turn in the healthcare arena you find a nurse.
Everyone knows at least one nurse.
Nurses are able to care for multiple complex patients in an eight hour period or even longer.
Nurses think fast on their feet.
Nurses do not just think, they critically think.
Nurses are kind and caring to their patients and to the families of patients.
Nurses listen to their patients, cry and laugh with their patients.
Nurses collaborate, consult and learn from other healthcare professions.
Nurses take pride in their profession! Nursing is a profession, not just a job!
Of course this list is not all inclusive of why nursing is so very important, but it is a good start.
I know that nursing has always been a physically, spiritually and emotionally difficult profession. Since COVID it has become even more so. I know the majority of nurses are stressed, burnt-out and simply exhausted. I know that there is a possibility of hundreds and hundreds of nurses leaving the profession in the near future. Please as you read this note, think about why you were called to this profession and why you are so very important. Use your voice to advocate for yourself and your fellow nurses. Advocate for change in the healthcare system. Fight to be at the table when decisions are being made that impact the nursing profession. Promote the profession to young people interested in nursing. Share your stories with administrators and legislators how you have made a difference in a patient’s life. Shift the conversation and share what is positive about the profession. Spread the message as to why nursing is so very important to healthcare. Do something this month to celebrate you and something to celebrate your fellow nurses. Remember you are important!!!
Thank you for all you do!
Respectfully, Kathy
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Operation Nightingale: Iowa Board of Nursing & Other State Nursing Boards React to the Fake Diploma Scheme
The Iowa Board of Nursing is aware of the United States Department of Justice's investigation and allegations of 7600 fraudulently issued nursing diplomas from Florida and elsewhere. To date, the Board has revoked 2 Iowa licenses Several other licenses are under investigation. The Board has received no reports of patient harm related to the identified individuals of concern.
This is a complex investigation because of the federal and state-level concerns, and that the nursing programs involved, all of which were in other states (not Iowa), at one time held legitimate credentials.
The Board is and has been Taking the appropriate actions to protect Iowans related to this matter. If credentials are fraudulent, the Board can revoke or deny licensure, after providing due process to the individual involved.
The Iowa Board of Nursing has recognized individuals identified by the federal investigation as possibly having illegitimate educational credentials, and are flagged in the National Council of State Boards of Nursing nationwide data system. This means that all state boards of nursing, including Iowa's, can monitor the individuals until their case is resolved. Once a disciplinary action has been taken by one state board of nursing related to diploma fraud, all the other state boards of nursing will have access to that information in order to prevent additional fraud.
We will continue to partner with other boards of nursing, the National Council of State Boards of Nursing, and federal law enforcement authorities, as appropriate, to detect, investigate, and resolve these allegations of diploma and credential fraud.
It should be noted that Board investigations are confidential pursuant to Iowa Administrative Code 655, Chapter 20, 20.18 (Iowa Code 272C).
Nursing Delegation
by Kendra S. Lindloff, MSN, RN
Delegation is an essential skill and is described as the process where a nursing activity or procedure is transferred from a licensed nurse to someone else. The licensed nurse transferring the skill or activity is described as the delegator. This delegator can be an ARNP, RN, or LPN and those that they delegate to is called the delegatee. There are many factors that affect this process and resources to help guide this practice. Iowa Administrative Code 655 Chapter 6.2(5) describes this process for RN's and 6.3(8) pertains to the LPN's delegation process. Also in 2019 the National Council of State Boards of Nursing and the American Nurses Association formulated a join statement to provide guidance for delegation.
The process of delegation has eight aspects that help guide this process. These processes include: 1. delegating only nursing tasks within the delegatee's scope of practice, education, experience, and competence. 2. Matching the needs of the patient to the qualifications, resources, and appropriate supervision. 3. Clearly communicated directions and expectations for the completion of the delegated activity and receiving confirmation of understanding of the communication from the delegatee, is an important next step. 4. Supervising by monitoring performance, progress, and outcomes and appropriate documentation. 5. the next thing the nurse need sto do is evaluated patient outcomes as a result of the delegation process. 6. Intervening when problems are identified, revising the plan of care when needed, and reassessing the appropriateness of the delegation. 7. It's important for the nurse to realize that they always retain accountability for properly implementing the delegation process. 8. Finally, the nurse should know the purpose of the delegation is to promote a safe environment by providing appropriate monitoring and surveillance fo the care environment.. Identifying unsafe care situations; and correcting problems or referring them to management level when needed.
In conclusion, it is important for nurses to have tools and resources that aid in the delegation process. Not only do the rules guide the practice of delegation, the policies and procedures of the institution the nurse is working in also provide guidance.
References:
https://bonpodcast.podbean.com/e/delegation/
Iowa Administrative Code 655- Chapters 6, https://www.legis.iowa.gov/docs/iac/chapter/04-05-2023.655.6.pdf
Iowa Administrative Code 655- Chapter 7, https://www.legis.iowa.gov/docs/iac/chapter/04-05-2023.655.7.pdf
National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN) and American Nurses Association, (2019). National Guidelines for Nursing Delegation, https://www.ncsbn.org/public-files/NGND-PosPaper_06.pdf
Scheduled Iowa Nurse Assistance Program Advisory Committee Meetings
by Rhonda Ruby, MS, RN
June 13, 2023 is the next regularly scheduled quarterly meeting of the INAP Advisory Committee. The meeting will be held at the Board of Nursing and is an in-person meeting. Please see the Board of Nursing website for more details on the meeting including public access.
May 9, 1:00PM, 2023 is the next regularly scheduled Zoom conference call of the INAP Advisory Committee. If you or someone you know is impaired as a result of substance use or by any mental or physical condition, there is help. Please see the INAP webpage for more information.
Find Help
Would you like more information about the Nurse Licensure Compact?
The National Council of State Boards of Nursing has updated the Nurse licensure compact site. The new site provides nurses, employers, students, educators and advocates resources and information.
There is even a newsletter that you can subscribe to for update to date information.
Visit the Nurse Licensure Compact site
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Licensing Reminders
by Jayme Hildreth
- All applications must be completed within 12 months. This timeframe starts once an application is initiated, not when the fees are paid. After the 12 month period, the application will be archived and all other required documents may be destroyed. Once the application is archived, the applicant will be required to reapply, repay the application fee and may be required to resubmit documents.
- For ARNP renewals, if marked 'yes' for prescribing opioids , it's required to send in at least 2.0 contact hours for opioid training in addition to your national certifying body.
- Renewal email reminders are sent 60 days in advance which includes your Account ID . The system allows you to renew 60 days prior to your expiration date.
- Thank you!
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