08 HB
1041/AP
House
Bill 1041 (AS PASSED HOUSE AND SENATE)
By:
Representatives Cooper of the
41st,
Wilkinson of the
52nd,
Rynders of the
152nd,
Willard of the
49th,
Maddox of the
172nd,
and others
A
BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
AN ACT
To
amend Article 1 of Chapter 26 of Title 43 of the Official Code of Georgia
Annotated, relating to the "Georgia Registered Professional Nurse Practice Act,"
so as to eliminate obsolete language relating to graduate nurses; to require
fingerprint record checks for applicants for licensure as a registered
professional nurse; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws;
and for other purposes.
BE
IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF GEORGIA:
SECTION
1.
Article
1 of Chapter 26 of Title 43 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating
to the "Georgia Registered Professional Nurse Practice Act," is amended by
revising Code Section 43-26-6, relating to the use of the title by a licensed
registered nurse or advanced practice registered nurse, as follows:
"43-26-6.
(a)
Any person who is licensed as a registered professional nurse shall have the
right to use the title 'registered professional nurse' and the abbreviation
'R.N.' Any person recognized by the board as an advanced practice registered
nurse shall have the right to use the title 'advanced practice registered nurse'
and the abbreviation 'A.P.R.N.' No other person shall assume such titles or use
such abbreviations or any other words, letters, signs, or symbols to indicate
that such person is a registered professional nurse or an advanced practice
registered nurse in Georgia. Nothing in this subsection shall be construed to
repeal the right of any person who is licensed as a registered professional
nurse or recognized by the board as an advanced practice registered nurse on
June 30, 2006, to be licensed and to use the title 'registered professional
nurse' or to use the title 'advanced practice registered nurse,'
respectively.
(b)
Any person holding a license to practice nursing as a licensed undergraduate
nurse, which license was issued by the board and valid on July 1, 1975, shall be
deemed to be licensed to practice nursing as a licensed undergraduate nurse
under this article and shall have the right to use the title 'licensed
undergraduate nurse' and the abbreviation 'L.U.N.' No other person shall assume
such title or use such abbreviation or any other words, letters, signs, or
symbols to indicate that such person is licensed to practice nursing as a
licensed undergraduate nurse. After July 1, 1975, there shall be no new
certificates issued for licensure to practice nursing as a licensed
undergraduate nurse.
(c)
An
applicant who holds an examination temporary permit may use the title 'graduate
nurse' and the abbreviation 'G.N.' until the license to practice nursing as a
registered professional nurse has been issued. An applicant who fails the first
examination may no longer use the title 'graduate nurse' or abbreviation 'G.N.'
An individual who is qualified to use the title 'graduate nurse' must practice
under the on-site supervision of a registered professional nurse or
physician.
(d)
Any person who is licensed as a registered professional nurse shall identify
that he or she is so licensed by displaying either the title 'registered
professional nurse' or 'registered nurse,' the abbreviation 'R.N.,' the title
'advanced practice registered nurse,' or the abbreviation 'A.P.R.N.' on a name
tag or other similar form of identification during times when such person is
providing direct patient care. An advanced practice registered nurse shall meet
the identification requirements of this subsection by displaying the title or
abbreviation of his or her area of specialization."
SECTION
2.
Said
article is further amended in Code Section 43-26-7, relating to requirements for
licensure as a registered professional nurse, as follows:
"43-26-7.
(a)
Any applicant who meets the requirements of this Code section shall be eligible
for licensure as a registered professional nurse.
(b)
An applicant for licensure by examination shall:
(1)
Submit a completed written application and fee;
(2)
Have graduated from a nursing education
program,
approved by
this
the
board,
or which meets criteria similar to, and not less stringent than, those
established by
this
the
board;
(3)
Pass a board recognized licensing examination; provided, however,
that
such examination may not be taken prior to graduation from the nursing education
program;
and
(4)
Have satisfactory results from a fingerprint record check report conducted by
the Georgia Crime Information Center and the Federal Bureau of Investigation, as
determined by the board. Application for a license under this Code section
shall constitute express consent and authorization for the board or its
representative to perform a criminal background check. Each applicant who
submits an application to the board for licensure by examination agrees to
provide the board with any and all information necessary to run a criminal
background check, including, but not limited to, classifiable sets of
fingerprints. The applicant shall be responsible for all fees associated with
the performance of such background check; and
(4)(5)
Meet such other criteria as established by the board.
(c)
An applicant for licensure by endorsement shall:
(1)
Submit a completed written application and fee;
(2)
Have passed a board recognized licensing examination following graduation from
the
a
nursing education program
approved by
the board or which meets criteria similar to, and not less stringent than, those
established by the board;
(3)
Submit verification of initial and current licensure in any other licensing
jurisdiction administering a board recognized licensing
examination;
(4)
Have practiced nursing as a registered professional nurse for a period of time
as determined by the board or have graduated from a nursing education program
within the four years immediately preceding the date of the application;
and
(5)
Have satisfactory results from a fingerprint record check report conducted by
the Georgia Crime Information Center and the Federal Bureau of Investigation, as
determined by the board. Application for a license under this Code section
shall constitute express consent and authorization for the board or its
representative to perform a criminal background check. Each applicant who
submits an application to the board for licensure by examination agrees to
provide the board with any and all information necessary to run a criminal
background check, including, but not limited to, classifiable sets of
fingerprints. The applicant shall be responsible for all fees associated with
the performance of such background check; and
(5)(6)
Meet such other criteria as established by the board.
(d)
An applicant for reinstatement who has previously held a valid license in
Georgia shall:
(1)
Submit a completed written application and fee;
(2)
Have practiced nursing as a registered professional nurse for a period of time
as determined by the board or have graduated from a nursing education program
approved by
the board or which meets criteria similar to, and not less stringent than, those
established by the board within the four
years immediately preceding the date of the application;
and
(3)
Have satisfactory results from a fingerprint record check report conducted by
the Georgia Crime Information Center and the Federal Bureau of Investigation, as
determined by the board. Application for a license under this Code section
shall constitute express consent and authorization for the board or its
representative to perform a criminal background check. Each applicant who
submits an application to the board for licensure by examination agrees to
provide the board with any and all information necessary to run a criminal
background check, including, but not limited to, classifiable sets of
fingerprints. The applicant shall be responsible for all fees associated with
the performance of such background check;
and
(3)(4)
Meet such other criteria as established by the board."
SECTION
3.
All
laws and parts of laws in conflict with this Act are repealed.