ADVANCED PRACTICE: Nursing Update

Kansas Nurse, Jan 2006

H.B. 2256 ARNP Scope of Practice Revisions of Responsible Physician Language Update

The Kansas Board of Nursing, at their regularly scheduled Board meeting in December, voted to testify in support of H.B. 2256 when another hearing is held. They reviewed some nonsubstantive changes that KSNA is considering to the bill to clarify the new scope statement. The proposed amendments are being shared at the ARNP meetings and discussed. The new draft language replaces lines 23-27 on page 3 of the bill which is the proposed language (borrowed from the Alaska Nurse Practice Act statutes) further elaborating on the scope of ARNP practice. The new language to be proposed as an amendment to H.B. 2256 is as follows:

(d) In carrying out the role of advanced registered nurse practitioner, a person who holds a certificate to practice nursing as an advanced registered nurse practitioner may perform acts of medical diagnosis and may prescribe medical, therapeutic, diagnostic and corrective measures consistent with performing such role and with the rules and regulations of the board which define the category of advanced registered nurse practitioner for which such person is certified. The authorization to perform acts of medical diagnosis and prescription of medical, therapeutic, diagnostic and corrective measures under this section comes from the advanced registered nurse practitioner's educational preparation and authorization to practice in compliance with rules and regulations and standards established by the board. (The current section (d) will be renumbered (e).

When changes are presented to the legislature (by all parties involved), they do this in a format called a "ballon amendment". These are offered the day the bill is "worked" in Committee and voted on by the Committee as amendments. If adopted the bill is then reprinted with the following notation at the top, "as amended by House Health and Human Services Committee."

HB2256 "Removal of Physician Supervision" from KSA 65-1130

Contact your legislators, both House and Senate, and ask for their support. Write them letters requesting support. Call them at home on the weekends to ask if they have any questions about the bill, and AGAIN request their support. Remember: This bill is going to get a committee vote, and once it passes the House Health and Human Services Committee, it will go to the full House. It will need 63 votes to pass in the House. Then, it will go to the Senate Public Health and Welfare Committee, where we will have another hearing. Once it passes the Senate Committee it will need 21 votes to pass the Senate.

H.B. 2256 ARNP Lobby Days

January 25 & 31, February 9 & 14, and March 2

The above dates have been identified as Lobby Days for ARNP's to come to Topeka and go to the Capitol to speak with their respective legislators (House and Senate member). Please sign up for the date you can come. There is no cost; however, if a luncheon date with your legislator can be arranged, then you are asked to pay for their lunch (and your own). All ARNP's will be going to lunch at the same restaurant, and those we can't schedule lunch with legislators can eat together.

Schedule for ARNP Lobby Days

10 a.m. Arrive at KSNA Offices, Park Cars at the office (1208 SW Tyler)

10:30 Be driven over to the Capitol or Docking State Office Building to meet with legislator(s).

12:00 Meet for Lunch at the assigned restaurant with legislator (within walking distance)

1:00 Walk legislator back to Capitol or their office

1:00 - 2:00 Meet with the other Legislator from your area

2:00 Get picked up at Capitol to return to KSNA

KSNA plans to coordinate the meetings and lunches for your respective legislators if you sign up to attend lobby day. We anticipate 16 ARNP's can be accommodated for each Lobby Day.

Legislative Update Subscription

KSNA will not be issuing ARNP Updates during the legislative session unless a "Legislative Alert" is warranted. The KSNA Legislative Update will be the source for up-to-date information about both H.B. 2256 and the BOHA Article 29 Proposed Regulations. ARNP's interested in monitoring these activities more closely should subscribe to the Legislative Update, which can be received electronically or by first-class postage.

KSNA publishes the Legislative Update every week during the legislative session, and this will be the vehicle to stay apprised of the progress of H.B. 2256. Subscriptions are $10.00 for members and $30.00 for non-members.

Kansas Board of Healing Arts Defers Article 28 Supervision Regulations

Meeting Scheduled January 20, 2006 for Stakeholders

The Kansas Board of Healing Arts on Saturday, December 10 made a motion to table the proposed regulations, returning them to the subcommittee (Dr. McCune/Dr. Welsh) to revisit with the interested organization and parties to make revisions. Dr. Welsh requested that she receive a copy of all the testimonies, and several other Board members indicated they would like to review them too. Staff reported that both the staff-ρ re pa red analysis and testimonies will be prepared in an electronic version and be made available.