Nursing Practice News and Information for Nurses in Washington State

The Washington State Department of Health Nursing Care Quality Commission adopted a model for continuing competency for nurses in September of 2009 and held a workshop on November 5, 2009 to get input from the public about rule language for this and two other topics related to competency (Temporary Nursing Permits and Early Remediation).   The commission is required by statute to develop continuing competency mechanisms. Having a continuing competency program for nurses promotes patient safety, public protection and enhances nursing practice.  The model recently adopted by the commission requires 576 hours of active practice in the most recent 36 months or the nurse will either need to take a “refresher course” or apply for “inactive status” for their license.  Nurses must also have at least one of the following within the previous 36 months:

1. 45 hours of Continuing Education
2. National Certification
3. 45 Hours of Nursing Education (could be completion of a Commission-approved Nurse Refresher Course, or a facility-based Preceptorship, Residency program, or education inservice)
4. At least 45 hours of Active participation including meeting attendance in professional nursing or employer-sponsored organizations or committees.
5. Minimum of 3 credits of advanced education toward an advanced degree in any field. At an accredited college or university.
6. Completion of a nursing research project as principal investigator, co-investigator, or project director.
7. Submitting or publishing a healthcare article, book chapter or other scholarly work.
8. Minimum of one hour of presentation time on a healthcare or system-related topic.

A copy of supporting documents for these requirements must be stored in a safe place and readily accessible to you.  You may be directed by NCQAC to submit these documents.

This model can be reviewed at: http://www.doh.wa.gov/hsqa/Professions/Nursing/Rules.htm.   The minutes of the workshop are also available on the website.   Additional rules writing workshops will be held on:  April 20-23, 2010; May 13, 2010; and June 3-4, 2010 with the final hearing to be scheduled later in the summer of 2010.  If you are unable to attend the workshop you are still able to provide comments in writing.  You can submit draft language or suggestions to terry.west@doh.wa.gov.

As part of this continuing competency effort, the Washington State Nurses Association (WSNA)  is developing online Continuing Nursing Education.  The Washington State Nurses Association Continuing Education Provider Program (OH-231, 9-1-2012) is an approved provider of continuing nursing education by the Ohio Nurses Association (OBN-001-91), an accredited approver by the American Nurses Credentialing Center’s Commission on Accreditation. A record of courses taken online as well as those taken in classroom or other settings will be maintained by WSNA and available as part of the documentation required by NCQAC.