The authority for the Registered Nurse to practice professional nursing derives from a social contract delineating the nurse’s rights and responsibilities for remaining accountable to the public. The Registered Nurse is expected to practice within a professional framework defined by various documented rules, regulations, and standards. Nursing practice is governed by law and entrance into the profession is regulated at both the national and state levels. The Scope and Standards of Nursing Practice established by the American Nurses Association provides the foundation for nursing practice. Further practice obligations occur because of the Registered Nurse’s accountability to the specific organization or institution where the nurse is employed, i.e. via organizational policies and procedures. Additionally, Registered Nurses are expected to continue to enhance their knowledge and skill and demonstrate continued competency throughout their career.
Changes to Licensure Fees
In 2010, the legislature authorized fee increases for 17 professions regulated by the Department of Health. This includes licensure fees for Registered Nurses, Licensed Practical Nurses, Advanced Registered Nurse Practitioners, Nurse Technicians, and Nursing Assistants. Under state law, each profession must be self-supporting through the fees that the practitioners in the profession pay. The number of licensees in a profession and the cost of administering the profession affect fees. Costs include credentialing and background checks, investigations and discipline, addressing complaints received, and other operating expenses of the boards, commissions, and committees. The Nursing Commission approved the following fees which became effective October 15th, 2010:
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Type of Non-Refundable Fee
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Fee Amount
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Registered nurse (RN)
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RN Application - (initial or endorsement)
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$ 92.00 **
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RN License renewal (Annually on birthdate)
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101.00 **
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RN Late renewal penalty (This fee plus the renewal fee if late)
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50.00
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RN Expired License Re-issuance (This fee plus renewal and late renewal fees)
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70.00
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RN Inactive license renewal
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65.00 **
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RN Inactive renewal penalty (This fee plus the inactive renewal fee if late)
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30.00
|
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RN Expired inactive License Re-issuance
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40.00
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RN Duplicate license
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20.00
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RN Verification of licensure/education
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25.00
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Advanced registered nurse (ARNP)
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ARNP application -with or without prescriptive authority
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$92.00
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ARNP renewal -with or without prescriptive authority (Every two years on birth date)
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96.00
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ARNP Inactive license renewal
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45.00
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ARNP Inactive late renewal penalty (This fee plus the inactive renewal fee if late)
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30.00
|
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ARNP late renewal penalty
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50.00
|
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ARNP duplicate license
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20.00
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ARNP written verification of license
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25.00
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**RN: Initial and renewal fees include University of Washington (UW) HEAL-WA Web site that 2007 legislation requires and the $5.00 nursing center surcharge.
Make all fees payable to "Department of Health."
Continuing Competency
Final rules for Continuing Competency went into effect on January 1, 2011. Registered Nurses and Licensed Practical Nurses will be required to begin maintaining documentation/verification of compliance illustrating at least 531 hours of active practice and 45 hours of continuing education every three years. The three year period begins with the nurse’s 2011 birthday date. Audits for compliance will begin in 2014. Licensure renewals will continue to be on an annual basis; however, nurses will be expected to sign an attestation every three years to reflect that they are compliant with the requirements for both practice and continuing education hours. For additional information, go to the Continuing Competency section of the WSNA website at http://www.wsna.org/Topics/Continuing-Competency/.
Articles
Expanding Nurse Delegation to Allow Insulin Injections: Is it Safe Practice?
From The Washington Nurse, Winter 2007 Edition: (PDF; 109KB)
White Papers
Resources / Links
Liability Insurance
All practicing registered nurses should carry their own professional liability insurance and WSNA has selected Nurses Service Organization (NSO) as the program best suited for its members. This plan is designed to meet the unique needs of today’s Nursing professionals and students of nursing as well as Home Health Care & Staffing Agencies.
Aon Affinity's Nurses Service Organization and CNA HealthPro Nurse Claim Study
Three key findings uncovered by the study are:
- Over $94 million in indemnity payments and expenses have been paid out over the course of the 10 years analyzed, and an additional $43 million is set in reserve for open suits.
- While the obstetrics/gynecology nurse specialty realized the highest average paid indemnity at $335,000, the adult medical/surgical nurse specialty had the overall highest total dollar paid indemnity with nearly $30 million aggregate, and accounted for 56 percent of all closed claims.
- Thirty-eight percent of claims came from a hospital inpatient setting (excluding the hospital emergency department’s 7.8 percent).
http://www.nso.com/rnstudy
Nurse Delegation
The Nurse Delegation Program, under Washington State law, allows nursing assistants working in certain settings to perform certain tasks--such as administration of prescription medications or blood glucose testing--normally performed only by licensed nurses. A registered nurse must teach and supervise the nursing assistant, as well as provide nursing assessments of the patient's condition. For further information go to http://www.aasa.dshs.wa.gov/Professional/ND/ or contact the Nurse Delegation Program Manager at 360-651-6828.
