Nursing Care Quality Assurance Commission Continuing Competency Effective

Nursing Care Quality Assurance Commission • Continuing Competency – Effective January 1, 2011 – Audits begin in January 2014 – To renew a license, beginning in 2014 • 531 hours of active nursing practice • 45 hours of continuing education • Reflection on professional practice

Continuing Competency Continuing competency is the ongoing ability of a nurse to maintain, update and demonstrate sufficient knowledge, skills, judgment, and qualifications necessary to practice safely and ethically in a designated role and setting in accordance with the scope of nursing practice. A nurse achieves continuing competency through active practice, self-assessment and reflection, and continuing nursing education.

Continuing Competency Active nursing practice means engagement in paid, unpaid, or volunteer activity performing acts requiring a nursing license as described in RCW 18. 79. 040, 18. 79. 050, or 18. 79. 060. Active nursing practice may include working as a nursing administrator, nursing quality manager, nursing policy officer, public health nurse, parish nurse, home health nurse, nursing educator, nursing consultant, nursing regulator or any practice requiring nursing knowledge and a nursing license.

Continuing Competency Continuing nursing education refers to systematic professional learning experiences obtained after initial licensure designed to augment the knowledge, skills, and judgment of nurses and enrich nurses' contributions to quality health care and his or her pursuit of professional career goals. The education hours should relate to the nurse's area of professional practice or areas identified through self-assessment and reflection for professional growth and development. There are various types of continuing nursing education activities. Some involve participant attendance where the pace of the activity is determined by the provider who plans and schedules the activity. Others are designed for completion by the learner, independently, at the learner's own pace and at a time of the learner's choice. Continuing nursing education hours may be obtained through mentorship, certification, presentations, and specialty certification.

Continuing Competency Self-assessment and reflection means the process of the nurse assessing his or her active nursing practice to determine strengths and opportunities for new learning. The purpose of this process is for the nurse to assess and reflect on: • (a) Making patient safety a priority; • (b) Familiarity with current laws and rules related to nursing • practice; and • (c) Existing knowledge and skills (e. g. , infection prevention techniques, open communication, and clinical competency). Nurses complete the self-assessment and reflection process when selecting education and training opportunities in his or her nursing careers.

Licensing July 2006, 950 licenses issued July 2007, 1, 075 licenses issued, 12% increase July 2008, 1, 499 licenses issued, another 28% increase A 40 % increase in two years. The numbers flattened in 2009. Our schools are at capacity.

Licensing July 1, 2007 through June 30, 2008 • 7, 430 nursing licenses issued. From July 1, 2008 through June 30, 2009 • 9, 692 nursing licenses issued - a 20% increase Total applications received in 2007 was 9, 172. Total applications received in 2008 was 10, 107 a 10% increase.

Licensing The NCQAC noted an increase in the number of nurses moving to Washington from other states. • In 2006, 3, 908 nurses endorsed their licensed into Washington • In 2007, 4, 269 nurses endorsed their licenses for a 9. 2% increase. • In 2008, 4, 736 nurses endorsed their licenses for an additional 10. 9% increase.

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Temporary Practice Permits

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Fees Registered nurse (RN) RN Application - (initial or endorsement) 92. 00 RN License renewal (Annually on birthdate) 101. 00 RN Late renewal penalty (This fee plus the renewal fee if late) 50. 00 RN Expired License Re-issuance (This fee plus renewal and late renewal fees) 70. 00 RN Inactive license renewal 65. 00 RN Inactive renewal penalty (This fee plus the inactive renewal fee if late) 30. 00 RN Expired inactive License Re-issuance 40. 00 RN Duplicate license 20. 00 RN Verification of licensure/education 25. 00

Fees LPN Application - (initial or endorsement) 92. 00 LPN License renewal (Annually on birthdate) 96. 00 LPN Late renewal penalty (This fee plus the renewal fee if late) 50. 00 LPN Expired License Re-issuance (This fee plus renewal and late renewal fees) 70. 00 LPN Inactive license renewal 45. 00 LPN Inactive late renewal penalty (This fee plus the inactive renewal fee if late) 30. 00 LPN Expired Inactive License Re-issuance (This fee plus the inactive renewal fee if late) 40. 00 LPN Duplicate license 20. 00 LPN Verification of licensure/education 25. 00

Discipline