Board of Nursing Frequently Asked Questions Abandonment in the Workplace Advisory Opinions Applying for RN and APRN APRN Scope of Practice APRN Scope of Practice: End of Life Planning and Care Determining Scope of Practice Filing a Complaint Graduate Nurse Supervision Graduate Programs - Offered by distance education LPN School Nurse LPN Scope of Practice Nurse to Patient Ratio Prescription Drug Monitoring Program (PDMP) Professional Licensure Requirements Related to Education RN Scope of Practice: Administer and Monitor Anesthetic Medications School Nurse Scope of Practice Starting a Nurse Aide Program Telephonic Nursing Undergraduate Nursing Programs - AAS to BS Undergraduate Nursing Programs - RN to BS What is the Alaska Board of Nursing’s definition of abandonment in the workplace? The Alaska Board of Nursing receives numerous telephone calls from individual nurses and certified nurse aides as well as employers requesting clarification of the abandonment issue. Though the Board regulations do not define the term “abandonment,” the Board has investigated and disciplined nurses in the past for issues surrounding the concept of abandonment as it relates to the nurse’s duty to the patient. Nurses have been disciplined for failing to use sufficient knowledge, skills or nursing judgement in the practice of nursing as defined by the level of licensure under 12 AAC 44.770 Unprofessional Conduct and 12 AAC 44.870 Unprofessional Conduct. The Alaska Board of Nursing regulation for nurses is 12 AAC 44.770(11) Unprofessional Conduct “leaving a nursing assignment without properly notifying appropriate personnel." The Alaska Board of Nursing regulation for certified nurse aides is 12 AAC 44.870(14) Unprofessional Conduct “leaving a certified nurse aide assignment without notifying appropriate supervisory personnel." Callers also inquire if it is considered abandonment to resign from a position and give less notice than required by a facility. While this is a standard to which most professionals adhere, the Board is concerned with patient safety and will not consider it to be abandonment as long as the nurse or certified nurse aide notified appropriate supervisory personnel and ensured the safety and welfare of the patient, resident, or client. Where can I find advisory opinions from the Board of Nursing? Alaska Board of Nursing Advisory Opinions Can I apply for my RN license and APRN license at the same time? Yes, this is preferred. See Applications and Forms for Instructions. What is the scope of practice for an Advanced Practice Registered Nurse(APRN) in Alaska? Where do I find the regulation? Regulation 12 AAC 44.430 Scope of Practice. The board recognizes advanced and specialized acts of nursing practice associations recognized by the board for advanced registered nurses certified by the national certification bodies by the board. In Alaska an advanced practice registered nurse is a licensed independent practitioner who is licensed to practice as a nurse midwife, a clinical nurse specialist, a nurse practitioner, or a certified registered nurse anesthetist, or in more than one role. The individual must be licensed to practice in the role for which the individual has received specialized education. Click to view the Scope of Practice for Nurse Practitioners. What is an APRN’s scope with end of life planning and care? In 2022, language was added to Alaska statute that allows an Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN) to authorize a registered nurse (RN) to make a determination of death. Previously, only physicians had this authority. Subsequently, an APRN can certify the death after the RN’s determination. Additionally, APRNs have gained signature authority to write do not resuscitate (DNR) orders, and can now sign the AK POLST and expected death at home forms and death certificates. You can view the 2022 legislative bill (HB 392) on the Alaska State Legislature’s website. How would I decide if something is in my scope of practice? Click to view the Scope of Nursing Practice Decision-Making Framework. I am a licensed nurse and suspect a caregiver of abusing a patient. How do I file a complaint? To initiate a complaint complete the Request for Contact Form and send to Investigations Section to the address on the form. Does a graduate nurse with a temporary nursing license need supervision by another nurse? RN and LPN applicants awaiting results of a licensure examination may practice nursing with a temporary permit and may practice only under the supervision of a licensed registered nurse who must be onsite in the area where the holder of the temporary license is working and readily available to provide supervision to or consultation with the applicant. Graduate Programs - Offered by distance education Graduate program must be nationally accredited including accreditation of the distance offering. Must have distinct physical assessment, pathophysiology and pharmacology courses in program. Preceptors with appropriate credentials. Students in APRN programs must apply for a preceptorship with the Alaska Board of Nursing. Click here for the Advanced Practice Registered Nurse application. Can an LPN work independently as a school nurse? No, an LPN cannot work independently as a school nurse. What is the LPN scope of practice in Alaska? Click to view the LPN Scope of Practice. What is the nurse to patient ratio in a hospital or long-term care setting? The Nurse Practice Act does not specify nurse to patient ratios or nurse staffing levels in any patient care setting. Other regulatory or certifying bodies such as Alaska Health Care Services, Licensing and Certification or The Joint Commission may address staff to patient ratios. Where do I find information on the PDMP? Click to view the Alaska Prescription Drug Monitoring Program website. What is Alaska’s professional licensure requirements related to education? Click to view the Board of Nursing Professional Licensure Requirements. Is it within the scope of practice of the RN to administer and monitor anesthetic medications? Please see the below advisory opinions: Registered Nurse Administration of Sedating and Anesthetic Agents Nitrous Oxide in the Pediatric Population RN role Self-Admin Nitrous Oxide Analgesia in Intra and Immediate Postpartum Period Registered Nurse Administration of Nitrous Oxide for Minimal Sedation and/or Pain Management for Adult Patients Does a School Nurse have a specific scope of practice? The DHSS Website is a resource for Alaska school nurses. The State of Alaska, School Health Nurse Consultant, contact information can also be found at this website. The Alaska Board of Nursing has advisory opinions regarding the scope of practice for school nurses. Click to view the Scope of Practice Advisory. How do I get information to start a nurse aide program? Complete the Nurse Aide Training Program Application and send it in with the required fee. The application cannot be accepted by email or fax. All documents need to be sent in with the application. Upon receipt everything will be reviewed, and the program will be advised whether additional information is needed to complete the application. If the program meets the requirements of 12 AAC 44.835 – 12 AAC 44.847 and 12 AAC 44.852, the board will provisionally approve the program at the next scheduled board meeting. Nurse Aide Training Program application and Regulations 12 AAC 44.830 – 12 AAC 44.862) Click to view the CNA Webpage. I work as a telephonic nurse. Am I required to have an Alaska nursing license? Yes. Anytime you are providing nursing services to persons residing in Alaska, either in person, telephonic, or via telehealth, you are required to hold an active Alaska nursing license unless otherwise noted by legislation and/ or declaration of a healthcare disaster at which time an Alaska license may not be necessary. Please see COVID-19 link. Click to view the Telehealth & Licensing During COVID-19. Undergraduate Nursing Programs - AAS to BS If offering the nursing program in Alaska, approval of the Alaska Board of Nursing per AS 08.68.100, AS 08.68.190 & 200 & 12 AAC 44.010-140. If the nursing program is offered in a distance format and faculty members are present in Alaska practicing nursing or consulting for more than 20 days in a renewal cycle (every 2 years) a license to practice nursing in Alaska is required for faculty. If a student in a distance offering, evidence of enrollment in a nationally accredited nursing program including accreditation of the distance format that has state approval where the program is located. *National Accreditation means program accreditation by either ACEN, CCNE or CNEA. Undergraduate Nursing Programs - RN to BS Enrollment in a nationally accredited nursing program that also has state approval where the program is located. Current unencumbered RN license in a state or territory of the US. Do you have another question? Please fill out our Customer Contact Form for the fastest response. Return to Top