Renewal
Continuing Competence Requirements for RN and LPN
Continued competence is defined as the application of integrated nursing knowledge and the interpersonal, decision-making, psychomotor, communication, and leadership skills expected for the nursing practice role within the context of the public health, safety, and welfare. Acceptable proof of competence for Registered Nurses and Licensed Practical Nurses shall include two items documentation of the following (only one item for nurses not practicing but wishing to maintain an active license, contact hours must be ten hours which includes five for each year out of practice):
- Copy of a satisfactory employer evaluation
- Letter from a peer providing a satisfactory evaluation of your nursing performance
- Letter from a patient or family member giving evidence of a satisfactory nurse/patient relationship
- Copy of a contract of renewal or re-appointment to a nursing position
- Written self-evaluation based on the standards of competence listed in the rules
- Evidence of initial or continuing national certification
- A document that identifies two nursing goals and how you met these goals
- A letter from the agency where you volunteered as a nurse
- Documentation from a school of nursing stating that you participated in the education of nursing students
- Certificate or evidence of five contact hours of continuing education
- Copy of a published article relevant to nursing written by the licensee
- Letter of satisfactory completion of a nursing refresher course
- Letter of satisfactory completion of a comprehensive nursing orientation program
- Official transcript (may be student issued) demonstrating two hours of nursing credit
- Evidence of successfully retaken NCLEX
Each licensee must maintain evidence of compliance for four years from when the requirements are completed. This documentation must be produced for inspection and verification within thirty days of a written request by the Tennessee Board of Nursing. Failure to either complete the continued competence activities or to falsely certify completion may subject the nurse's license to disciplinary action.
Practice
Who investigates allegations of unsafe practice?
The compact authorizes the nurse licensing board of any compact state (home or remote) to investigate allegations of unsafe practice by any nurse practicing in that state. Based upon the outcome of the investigation, a remote state licensing board may deny the nurse’s multistate privilege to practice in that state. Only the nurse’s home state (state of residence) licensing board may take action against the nurse’s license. States will continue to apply the same administrative and due process procedures for imposing discipline as they have always done, however, compact states will have more timely access to information, including current significant investigative information and the disciplinary history of nurses, through the coordinated licensure information system (NURSYS).
Licensure
How do I transfer my license to another compact state?
When permanently relocating to another compact state, apply for licensure by endorsement and complete the Declaration of Primary State of Residence for the new home state, which can be found on your board of nursing’s website. The declaration form is generally a page within the application. Notify the former compact board of nursing that you are no longer a resident. You can practice on your former license for a period of up to 90 days. The 90-day period starts when you become a resident in the new state. States are in the process of amending rules regarding the period of time a nurse can practice on the license issued by a former state of residence. The number of days is based on the rule in effect in the new state. It’s recommended to start the application process prior to the move. Residents of noncompact states are not bound by compact rules, which permit a licensee to hold only one compact multistate license in the primary state of residence.
Exam
Is the NCLEX pass rate history of a nursing program important?
The NCLEX pass rate is just one important factor in determining what nursing program you choose. A program which consistently shows NCLEX pass rates of at least 85% does indicate that students have been prepared well and that the program is successful in educating competent nursing graduates. Many states require that nursing programs maintain a certain minimum NCLEX pass rate annually in order to remain in good standing with the board of nursing. This rate may be different from state to state, but in general a pass rate of at least 85% is required. A program's licensing exam pass rate is influenced greatly by the number of students who take the exam that year. One or two individuals who do not pass the licensing exam can greatly influence the passing rate of a small graduating class. In order to accurately understand a nursing program's success, always look at how many individuals took the exam each year and then look at the pass rate.
Education
What should I look for in selecting an LPN program?
Choosing an LPN program is the single most important step in becoming a nurse. The program you select, as well as how hard you work at learning, determines how well prepared you are when it comes time to take the NCLEX exam. If possible, it is a good idea to talk to graduates of the LPN program you are looking to enroll into. The following factors have been identified as important by many students when choosing an LPN program: state approval, NCLEX pass rate of graduates, the location and size of nursing school, program accreditation by reputable nursing organizations such as CCNE, tuition cost, financial aid opportunities offered by the school, the teacher to student ratio, the amount of hours spent in clinical practice, and the availability of online courses. You must decide which factors are most important to you and pick out a school based on those factors.
Career
Career Advancement Opportunities for LPN
In some employment settings, such as nursing homes, licensed practical nurses can advance to become charge nurses who oversee the work of other LPNs and nursing aides. Practical nurses may become credentialed in specialties like IV therapy, gerontology, long-term care, and pharmacology. Some practical nurses also choose to become registered nurses through LPN-to-RN training programs.
Organizations
Pediatric Nursing Certification Board
The Pediatric Nursing Certification Board (PNCB) provides the highest quality certification services for nursing professionals who care for pediatric populations.
Nursys
Nursys is the only national database for verification of nurse licensure, discipline and practice privileges for RNs and LPN/VNs licensed in participating boards of nursing, including all states in the Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC). Nursys provides online verification to a nurse requesting to practice in another state and nurse license lookup reports to employers and the general public.