BON Update Katherine Thomas Executive Director Texas Board of Nursing February 21, 2013
Changes on the Board Kristin Benton resigned as President of the Board; accepted Director of Nursing Position Kathy Shipp, MSN, FNP appointed President Nina Almasy, MSN, RN, representing LVN Education Shelby Ellzey, as a consumer member 3 more appointments expected RN Practice LVN Practice Consumer
National News APRN Compact in development Includes Consensus Model language for licensure Lessons Learned from the Nurse Licensure Compact E-Notify launched by NCSBN Automatically delivers licensure and discipline data directly to employers
National News DHHS Office of Civil Rights issues letter to health care providers related to HIPPA and the release of information when patient represents serious danger to himself or others National RN Survey--NCSBN has partnered with the Forum of State Nursing Workforce Centers to conduct a national survey of RNs to collect current nursing workforce data
New Webpage for Employers Home Verification & Licensing Nursing Practice Nursing Education Nursing Law and Rules Disciplinary Action Nursing Statistics About the Board Nurse Employers Contact Us TONE Nursing Leadership Collaborative Webinar Series
Nurse Employer Page Compact Discipline Bulletins Employment issues FAQs Peer Review Links to other pages Let us know what you think! TONE Nursing Leadership Collaborative Webinar Series
BON News Workshops continue, new webinars added Medication Safety (past) Professional Boundaries (May 8, 2013) Nursing Peer Review (July 10, 2013) Safe Harbor (October 9, 2013) APRN Application Process (June 27, 2013) Standards for APRN Practice (August 14, 2013)
BON News Board discussed an alternative to discipline pilot in collaboration with Texas A&M University Center for Rural and Community Health Institute For cases deemed appropriate for remediation Proposed study involves comparison of board remediation methods with assessment followed by tailored remediation and reassessment
BON News Military Veterans Seeking Careers in Nursing College Credit for Heroes Program LVN to ADN Medic to ADN Medic to BSN
3 Legislative Issues Directly Impacting the Work of the BON 2014-2015 Budget Request Self-Directed / Semi-Independent Status Nursing Practice Act Amendments
Self-Directed / Semi-Independent Status There are currently 9 state agencies with this status since 1999 Things that change with SDSI: Agency budget determined by the Board of Nursing Agency pays for services from State Auditor (SAO), SOAH, Comptroller, Attorney General Agency enters agreement with SAO to conduct audits including financial reports and performance audits, and Reports to the Governor and Legislature prior to each Legislative session
SDSI Most things remain the same Legislature passes all laws related to nursing regulation such as licensure, enforcement, scope of practice The Governor s Office appoints a policy analyst and Comptroller s Office appoints an appropriations control officer to monitor the agency Agency remains subject to Sunset Review
SDSI Most things remain the same, cont. Agency remains subject to state laws such as Open Meetings Act, Public Information Act, Administrative Procedures Act, Government Code, Ethics Law. Employees are state employees and agency pays for state portion of employee benefits including social security, insurance, retirement
SDSI Advantages Agency has flexibility to expand/contract resources More responsive to constituents More timely licensing and resolution of disciplinary matters Reduces state administrative burden for budget oversight Board more accountable to stakeholders Operates as a business
SDSI Advantages, cont. Agency establishes fees with input from licensees and other constituents Board evaluates agency programs and budget Number of reports to oversight agencies decreases Strategic Plan directed by the Board
2014-2015 Appropriations Request Item # 1 & 2--- Two new positions Nursing Education Nursing Practice Total appropriations = $143,000/biennium Item #3 TPAPN funding New national standards developed by NCSBN for alternative to discipline programs for nurses with substance use disorders Grounded in best practices and evidenced based To provide opportunity for recovery, monitoring and safety. Request is for increasing monitoring period to 3 years and to restore the 5% reduction to the budget in the last biennium Total Cost = $208,558
2014-2015 Appropriations Request Item # 4 -- Texas Center for Nursing Workforce Studies TCNWS proposed budget for FY 2014-2015 Includes funding to cover resources, salaries, travel, and website improvements Total -= $46,550 per fiscal year
Fee Increases Related to Appropriations Request If all exceptional items granted, BON estimates increase of $2 per RN renewal and $1 per LVN renewal
NPA Amendments Substantive Amendments Mandatory CBCs for Students Provide for limited nondisclosure of disciplinary proceedings which result in the nurse under TPAPN board order Making deferred discipline a permanent program
Contact Information: kathy.thomas@bon.texas.gov Executive Director Patricia Vianes-Cabrera, Executive Assistant 512-305-6811 kristin.benton@bon.texas.gov Director of Nursing 512-305-6839