49 Pa. Code Ch. 21 — State Board of Nursing

GENERAL PROVISIONS § 21.1. Definitions. The following words and terms, when used in this subchapter, have the following meanings, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise: Act—The Professional Nursing Law (63 P.S. § § 211—225.5), which establishes standards for nursing scho…

STUDENTS § 21.101. Selection and admission standards. (a) Policies and procedures related to the selection and admission of students are the responsibility of the individual school. Consideration shall be given to scholastic aptitude, academic achievement, personal qualities and …

§ 21.102. Admission of classes. The Board recommends that only one class be admitted per year. The number of candidates for each class shall be determined by the educational and clinical resources which the school can provide. Source The provisions of this § 21.102 amended Octobe…

§ 21.103. Transfer of students or advanced standing. The school shall have a written policy consistent with its philosophy and objectives concerning criteria for granting advanced standing or accepting transfer students. The policies of the baccalaureate and associate degree prog…

RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE REGISTERED NURSE § 21.11. General functions. (a) The registered nurse assesses human responses and plans, implements and evaluates nursing care for individuals or families for whom the nurse is responsible. In carrying out this responsibility, the nurse pe…

§ 21.1101. Definitions. The following words and terms, when used in this subchapter, have the following meanings, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise: Jurisdiction—A state, territory or country.

§ 21.1102. Licensure by endorsement under 63 Pa.C.S.§ 3111. (a) Requirements for issuance. To be issued a license by endorsement under 63 Pa.C.S. § 3111 (relating to licensure by endorsement), an applicant shall satisfy all of the following conditions: (1) Have a current license,…

§ 21.1103. Provisional endorsement license. (a) Provisional endorsement license. The Board may, in its discretion, issue a provisional endorsement license to an applicant while the applicant is satisfying remaining requirements for licensure by endorsement under 63 Pa.C.S. § 3111…

§ 21.1104. Licensure by endorsement fee. An applicant for licensure by endorsement under 63 Pa.C.S. § 3111 (relating to licensure by endorsement) shall pay a fee of $120. Cross References This section cited in 49 Pa. Code § 21.1102 (relating to licensure by endorsement under 63 P…

STUDENT SERVICES § 21.111. Health program. (a) There shall be written objectives and policies for the health program. (b) The health program shall include at least the following: (1) Preentrance and periodic health examinations. (2) Provisions for necessary immediate professional…

§ 21.112. Student employment. (a) If students are employed in health agencies, they may not be employed as registered or practical nurses unless they are currently licensed. (b) Student employment shall be on a voluntary basis and not a requirement of the institution. (c) Remuner…

§ 21.113. Student housing. Policies concerning student housing provided by the institution shall include the following: (1) Adequate space, equipment and furnishings for each student, such as desk, chairs, proper lighting, ventilation and closet space. (2) Safe and adequately mai…

§ 21.114. Counseling and guidance. (a) The scope of the counseling program shall be clearly defined in accordance with the objectives of the program. (b) A program should include personal, professional and academic counseling, initiated by either faculty or students. (c) Adequate…

§ 21.115. Financial aid. (a) Policies and procedures relating to scholarships, loans and grants shall be developed within the framework of the philosophy of the controlling institution and defined in writing. (b) It is recommended that each school maintain a list of available res…

§ 21.116. Students’ rights. There shall be written specific policies pertaining to students’ rights and grievances, with procedures for implementation. Source The provisions of this § 21.116 amended October 22, 1976, effective October 23, 1976, 6 Pa.B. 2677; amended September 16,…

STUDENTS LICENSED IN OTHER JURISDICTIONS § 21.118. Post-basic nursing programs. (a) A registered nurse currently licensed in another jurisdiction of the United States or Canada who has graduated from an approved program of nursing and who is enrolled in an accredited graduate nur…

§ 21.12. Venipuncture; intravenous fluids. Performing of venipuncture and administering and withdrawing intravenous fluids are functions regulated by this section, and these functions may not be performed unless: (1) The procedure has been ordered in writing for the patient by a …

§ 21.1201. Definitions. (a) The definitions in section 2, Article II of the NLCA (35 P.S. § 10292) and section 100 of the NLC Rules are incorporated by reference and have the same meaning when used in this subchapter. (b) The following words and terms, when used in this subchapte…

§ 21.1202. Scope and applicability. This subchapter and the NLC Rules, defined in § 21.1201(b) (relating to definitions), implement and supplement the NLCA. Under section 2, Articles VII(g)(1) and VIII(a) of the NLCA (35 P.S. § 10292), the NLC Rules have the force and effect of l…

§ 21.1203. Fees. (a) The following schedule of fees are charged by the Board in connection with multistate licenses: Biennial renewal of LPN multistate license…$76 Biennial renewal of RN multistate license…$122 Conversion from existing Pennsylvania license to multistate license…$…

§ 21.1204. Requirements for initial multistate license. (a) An applicant for a multistate license in this Commonwealth shall satisfy all of the Uniform Licensure Requirements in section 2, Article III(c) of the NLCA (35 P.S. § 10292), including the following Board requirements: (…

§ 21.1205. Conversion process for existing Pennsylvania licenses. (a) Upon implementation of the NLC, existing Pennsylvania licenses shall be converted to single-state licenses. Conversion of the licenses does not change licensure expiration dates. (b) Existing Pennsylvania licen…

§ 21.1206. Change of primary state of residence. (a) A multistate licensee who changes the primary state of residence to this Commonwealth shall, under section 2, Article III(g)(1) of the NLCA (35 P.S. § 10292), provide the documentation listed in section 402(3) of the NLC Rules …

§ 21.1207. Conversion of licensure status related to discipline or participation in an alternative disciplinary program. (a) Upon the effective date of a disqualifying event, defined in section 100(5) of the NLC Rules, a multistate licensee shall be automatically converted by the…

RECORDS § 21.121. Program records. (a) A record system essential to the operation of the program shall be maintained. (b) Records shall be kept in locked fireproof files. Source The provisions of this § 21.121 amended October 22, 1976, effective October 23, 1976, 6 Pa.B. 2677. Im…

§ 21.122. Record maintenance. Each nursing faculty shall select record forms specifically for the nursing program and shall include the following: (1) Student records, including the following: (i) Permanent record, including both clinical and theoretical experience and achievemen…

§ 21.123. Access and use of records. (a) Students shall have access to personal records as defined by Federal and State legislation. (b) No information may be released from a student’s record without written permission of the student. Source The provisions of this § 21.123 amende…

§ 21.124. Records to be filed with Board. (a) An annual report of the school of nursing shall be sent to the Board using the form supplied by the Board. (b) Upon completion of the entire program, a transcript or photocopy of the final record of the student shall be submitted alon…

§ 21.125. Custody of records. (a) When a school closes, the controlling institution shall be responsible for the safekeeping of the records of students, and official copies shall be made available upon request. (b) If the controlling institution also closes, advice should be obta…

§ 21.13. Resuscitation and respiration. External cardiac resuscitation and artificial respiration, mouth-to-mouth, are procedures regulated by this section, and these functions may not be performed unless both of the following provisions are met: (1) External cardiac resuscitatio…

CONTINUING EDUCATION § 21.131. Continuing education. (a) Requirement of continuing education. A registered nurse seeking licensure renewal shall complete 30 hours of continuing education approved by the Board during the biennial renewal period immediately preceding the applicatio…

§ 21.132. Continuing education hours. (a) The Board will accept hours of continuing education as designated by an approved provider, so long as each hour is at least 50 minutes of activity and each 1/2 hour is at least 30 minutes of activity. (b) For purposes of determining accep…

§ 21.133. Continuing education content. (a) Continuing education must be relevant to patient care or professional nursing in a general or specialty area and enhance the knowledge and application of the physical, social, biological and behavioral sciences. (a.1) The continuing edu…

§ 21.134. Continuing education sources. (a) The following continuing education activities that meet the requirements of § 21.133 (relating to continuing education content) for registered nurses are approved: (1) Activities sponsored by a Board-approved practical or professional n…

§ 21.14. Administration of drugs. (a) A licensed registered nurse may administer a drug ordered for a patient in the dosage and manner prescribed. (b) A licensed registered nurse, responsible for administering a drug, may supervise a graduate nurse or a nursing student in an appr…

GENERAL PROVISIONS § 21.141. Definitions. The following words and terms, when used in this subchapter, have the following meanings, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise: Act—The Practical Nurse Law (63 P.S. § § 651—667) which establishes standards for the education of p…

§ 21.142. Scope. (a) The Board administers the act by promulgating rules and regulations which establish standards for practical nursing programs and the conduct of programs. (b) The Board provides for licensure of graduate practical nurses from approved programs by examination, …

§ 21.143. Surveys; list of approved programs. (a) Survey visits will be made of basic practical nursing programs conducted in hospitals, community colleges, universities and public school districts and vocational education programs under the Department of Education. The survey re…

§ 21.145. Functions of the LPN. (a) The LPN is prepared to function as a member of the health-care team by exercising sound nursing judgment based on preparation, knowledge, experience in nursing and competency. The LPN participates in the planning, implementation and evaluation …

§ 21.145a. Prohibited acts. An LPN may not perform the following IV therapy functions: (1) Initiate administration of blood, blood components and plasma volume expanders. (2) Administer tissue plasminogen activators, immunoglobulins, antineoplastic agents or investigational drugs…

§ 21.145b. IV therapy curriculum requirements. (a) An IV therapy course provided as part of the LPN education curriculum in § 21.203 (relating to specific curriculum requirements for practical nursing programs) or as a stand-alone course offered by a provider shall include instru…

§ 21.146. Applicability of general rules. Under 1 Pa. Code § 31.1 (relating to scope of part) 1 Pa. Code Part II (relating to general rules of administrative practice and procedure) is applicable to the activities of the proceedings before the Board. Authority The provisions of t…

§ 21.146a. Procedural matters. (a) The consent of the patient to any sexual impropriety or violation is not a defense to any disciplinary charge for violation of the act or this subchapter. (b) Evidence of specific instances, opinion evidence, or reputation evidence of a patient’…

§ 21.147. Fees. (a) The following application fees are charged by the Board for services to licensees and applicants: Licensure by examination—Board-approved nursing education program graduates… $95 Reexamination … $75 Licensure by endorsement … $120 Licensure by endorsement with…

§ 21.148. Standards of nursing conduct. (a) A licensed practical nurse shall: (1) Undertake a specific practice only if the licensed practical nurse has the necessary knowledge, preparation, experience and competency to properly execute the practice. (2) Respect and consider, whi…

§ 21.148a. Impaired professional program. When the Board is empowered to take disciplinary or corrective action against a practical nurse for conduct defined as a sexual violation or sexual impropriety, the nurse will not be eligible for placement into an impaired professional pr…

§ 21.149. Temporary practice permits. (a) A graduate practical nurse may only practice practical nursing under supervision and if the graduate practical nurse holds a current temporary practice permit. ‘‘Supervision’’ means that a licensed registered nurse is physically present i…

§ 21.15. Monitoring, defibrillating and resuscitating. The use of monitoring, defibrillating or resuscitating equipment, or a combination of the three, hereinafter called ‘‘therapy,’’ is a proper function of a registered nurse and is a function regulated by this section; the func…

LICENSURE § 21.150. Licensure by examination. An applicant for licensure by examination shall comply with the requirements of § 21.151 (relating to application for examination), pass the examination and complete at least 3 hours of training in child abuse recognition and reportin…

§ 21.151. Application for examination. (a) A candidate for the licensing examination may submit an application together with the required fee no sooner than 90 days prior to completing a practical nursing education program. (b) A candidate will not be authorized to take the exami…