South Carolina Board of Nursing

South Carolina Nurse, The, Apr-Jun 2003

The Board has appointed Carolyn O'Quinn, CRNA, Thomas Chappell, CNM, and Suzan Alexander, CNM, as the newest members of the Advanced Practice Subcommittee. At its last meeting on January 17, 2003, the Subcommittee elected Rodel Bobadilla, FNP, as the new chair and Kathy Saunders, PNP, as the new vice-chair. The Subcommittee also convened via conference call on February 28, 2003, to consider the Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN) Multi-State Compact, and certified registered nurse anesthetist (CRNA) education and practice issues currently being reviewed by the Board of Nursing and Board of Medical Examiners. The Subcommittee meets next on April 25, 2003, and all licensees, particularly APRNs, are welcome to attend.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION NURSE PRACTICE ACT

The final draft of revisions to the Nurse Practice Act will be posted on our web site, www.llr.state.sc.us/pol/nursing/ after April 18, 2003.

DISASTER VOLUNTEERS

If you are interested in volunteering in the event of a natural disaster as well as one of bioterrorism or mass destruction, please contact the South Carolina Board of Nursing via email at bursingerm@llr.state.gov to be placed on the volunteer database. Please include the following information:

* Name

* License Number

* Address

* Contact Telephone/Cell Phone Numbers

* Email address

* Related Training for Natural Disaster, Bioterrorism or Mass Destruction

* Length of time you would be available. (Consider Current Work Commitments)

* Area(s) of Practice/Expertise

ADVISORY OPINIONS-REVISED

The Board has approved the revised advisory opinions below since November 2002. These statements are advisory opinions as to what constitutes competent and safe nursing practice.

ADVISORY OPINION #44

QUESTION: Is it within the role and scope of practice for the registered nurse (RN) to insert prostaglandin analogs (e.g., misoprostol) into the vagina for cervical ripening or induction of labor with a viable fetus?

OPINION: The Board of Nursing has determined that it is NOT within the role and scope of practice for the registered nurse (RN) to administer prostaglandin analogs (e.g., misoprostol) vaginally for cervical ripening or induction of labor with a viable fetus.

ADVISORY OPINION #43

QUESTION: Is it within the role and scope of the registered nurse (RN) to perform Department of Transportation (DOT) medical examinations for purposes of determining qualifications for driving in accordance with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (49 CFR 391.41-391.49)?

OPINION: The Board of Nursing for South Carolina acknowledges that it is NOT within the role and scope of responsibility for the registered nurse (RN) to perform the DOT medical examination. The Board recognizes that certain assessment and data collection components of the examination are within the role and scope of responsibility of the RN, but not the actual medical examination and determination of medical clearance as a commercial driver unless recognized as an advanced practice registered nurse (APRN).

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