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Minnesota Board of Nursing

For Your Information

Inside this Issue Presidents' Message 1-2 US Dept of Education 2 Regulation Mandatory Opioid CE for 2-5 APRNs and FAQs

Nursing Education Vari- 6 ance Updates

Common Licensure 6-7 Questions National Council of State 8 Boards of Nursing Website on State Emergency Responses to COVID

NCLEX Modifications in 8 Response to COVID 19 Free PMP Continuing 9 Education

For Your Information is published quarterly by the Minnesota Board of Nursing Phone number:

612-317-3000 Fax number:

651-688-1841 Web site

Fall 2020

Volume , Issue

President's Message: Michelle Harker

How Has Life Changed

That was the newspaper headline when I opened the door yesterday. The COVID pandemic has changed our lives in an unprecedented way. Business-as-usual has never been more NOT. The pandemic has moved us from a very hands-on, interactive in-person world to a virtual world.

Zoom - isn't that a camera lens? Skype isn't that what we do when we live far from family and friends to be able to see one another when we can't get to one another? Well, not now.

For the Board, regulation of nursing practice and licensure, discipline conferences, and board and committee meetings are all being conducted virtually. The National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN) Annual Meeting happened virtually. All have been a change we could not have anticipated.

Tools such as Go-to-Meeting, Zoom, WebEx, Teams, Skype and Duo keep us moving forward and meeting responsibilities in a different manner from that we previously took for granted.

New program site visits were always oncampus for in-person reviews of facilities, faculty and program resources. Discipline conferences were in-person meetings between licensees and board members. Board meetings and committee meetings - again, always in-person and open to the public

The NCSBN annual meeting, held every August, is an opportunity for representatives of boards of nursing to come together to hold elections and consider issues brought forward by the member boards. This meeting is also open to the public. This year the virtual format had to accommodate nearly 200 attendees, facilitate presentations by candidates, and cast ballots, conduct forums and vote on resolutions. Of course, technological issues caused a few glitches - but it got done. Amazing, when you think about it, especially from a totally non-techie person as I am.

Four board meetings have been conducted virtually. Open to the public, another challenge for the virtual world. But somehow, all the tools mentioned have made it possible to carry on the business of the Board and bring the public into meetings. Licenses are being issued and renewed, nursing education programs evaluated and approved, and complaints brought to resolution. Governor Walz appointed four new board members who are being virtually oriented to their role by their experienced colleagues. (cont. on pg. 2)

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Volume 28 Issue 3

United States Department of Education (USDE) Regulation

On July 1, 2020, USDE Regulation 34 CFR 668.43 (a) (5) (v) went into effect. This regulation applies to all nursing programs that participate in Title IV HEA funding. Title IV of the Higher Education Act (HEA) of 1965 authorizes programs that provide financial aid to students to assist them in obtaining a postsecondary education at certain institutions of higher education (IHEs). These IHEs include public, private nonprofit, and proprietary institutions.

All PN, RN and APRN programs, whether face to face or distance education, must provide the following information on the program website related to licensure of their graduates in other states upon program completion:

? A list of states/jurisdictions where the institution's curriculum meets state educational requirements for licensure or certification;

? A list of states/jurisdictions where the institution's curriculum does not meet state educational requirements for licensure or certification; and

? A list of states/jurisdictions where the institution has not made a determination of whether the curriculum meets educational requirements.

Additionally, a direct disclosure to the student in writing is required as to which states the program does not meet or there has not been a determination of whether the program meets the educational requirements in that state/jurisdiction.

Some states have prescriptive requirements for licensure such as a specific number of clinical hours and a graduate from a program in another state may not meet that rule or statute. The Minnesota Nurse Practice Act's education requirement for licensure by examination is in MINN. STAT 148.211 subdivision 1 (b) requires an applicant:

(2) present evidence of completion of a nursing education program approved by the board, another United States nursing board, or a Canadian province, which prepared the applicant for the type of license for which the application has been submitted;

NCSBN established a webpage and webtool for nurse educators to access licensure requirements in other states and jurisdictions which can be accessed at:

(President's Message cont,. from pg.1)

Nursing educators are moving through it as well - preparing competent nursing candidates; while doing so remotely and virtually.

Nurses are monitoring, educating, and counseling patients virtually. In some instances, patients have expressed their preference for virtual visits with their health care providers. However, despite life in the VIRTUAL world, nurses continue to primarily care for patients in the REAL world. The Board is committed to virtually support nurses as they move, work, and make a difference in the REAL world.

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Volume 28 Issue 4

Mandatory Continuing Education on Best Practices in Prescribing Controlled Substances for APRNs

Beginning January 1, 2020, all health care licensees with the authority to prescribe controlled substances and who hold current DEA registration must obtain two hours of continuing education credits (CEU) on best practices in prescribing opioids and controlled substances, including non-pharmacological and implantable device alternatives for treatment of pain and ongoing paint management at the time of license renewal.

All APRNs must log into their Board of Nursing account, click on the Opioid CE tab on the left, click Submit to Proceed, click through the pages, and answer the eligibility questions to determine if they are exempt from completing the continuing education. APRNs who are not exempt are required to submit verification of completion of the CEU with the course objectives prior to December 31, 2022. The exemptions are the individual:

1. does not hold DEA registration, or 2. participates in the Department of Human Services Opioid Prescribing Improvement Program (OPIP). An individual is

considered a participant if the individual has prescribed opioids for outpatient pain management to a Minnesota Health Care Programs (MHCP) member in the current or the last calendar year AND received an opioid prescriber report from DHS in the last calendar year. An MHCP member is someone with Minnesota Medicaid or MinnesotaCare insurance.

If you do not know if you participate in the DHS OPIP, please email dhs.opioid@state.mn.us or call 651-431-4173.

The Board will review the certificate to ensure it meets the requirements of the law. The Opioid CE tab in the licensees account will disappear once the requirements are met.

It is the APRN's responsibility and accountability to be aware of this requirement and to submit verification of completion of the continuing education at the time of APRN license renewal. Minnesota Statute 214.12 Subdivision 7 will expire on January 1, 2023. A link to the statute is here ? number=HF400&version=6&session=ls91&session_year=2019&session_number=0&format=pdf

Opioid CE Frequently Asked Questions

Q. Where can I find a list of courses that satisfy the mandatory education requirement?

A. The Board of Nursing does not approve specific continuing education. It is the nurse's responsibility to determine wither the course meets the established criteria. The course meets the requirements if it is at least 2 hours in length and includes:

1. best practices in prescribing opioids and controlled substances; and

2. non-pharmacological, and

3. implantable device alternatives for treatment of pain and ongoing pain.

(cont. on pg. 3)

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Volume 28 Issue 4

(cont. from pg. 3 ) Courses that meet all criteria are the:

?Minnesota Medical Association online continuing education titled Best Practices for Prescribing Opioids and Other Controlled Substances ?American Association of Nurse Practitioners: Pain Management and Opioids: Balancing Risks & Benefits 2019 ?Mayo Clinic Talks Podcast: Opioid Edition ?NetCE #95150 Responsible and Effective Opioid Prescribing ? courseid=1741 ?2018 and 2020 Florida Medical Licensure Program; developed by InforMed for 2.00 hours on controlled substances/opioids: . ?2019 Wisconsin Medical Licensure Program; developed by InforMed for 2.00 hours on responsible prescribing: . ?2020 Nebraska Medical Licensure Program; developed by InforMed for 3.00 hours on prescribing opioids: . ?Best Practices in Prescribing Opioids and Controlled Substances in Pediatrics, Part 1 & 2, March 2020, Children's Hospital and Clinics, MN. ?Pain Management and Responsible Opioid Prescribing ? Gundersen Health System; Gundersen Lutheran Medical Foundation ?Addressing the Opioid Epidemic 2020: Specialty Areas ? Essential Health ?Prescribing Opioids and Managing Pain: Guidelines and Best Practices- Health Partners Clinical Education ?Opioid Prescribing Education, M Health Fairview, HealthEast Medical Education. ?CentraCare Opioid & Controlled Substances Prescribing Training

Q. How do I know if I need to complete the mandatory education?

A. Visit your Board of Nursing on-line services account. Click the link to the Opioid CE activity and respond to the questions to determine whether you are required to complete the mandatory education. If you are required to complete the education, submit verification of course completion and course content any time between January 1, 2020 and December 31, 2022. The Opioid CE activity link will appear in your Board of Nursing on-line services until the activity is completed.

Q. Do I have to complete the mandatory coursework before my next renewal?

A. No, coursework may be submitted any time between January 1, 2020 and December 31, 2022. The Opioid CE activity link will appear in your Board of Nursing on-line services until the activity is completed.

Q. If I don't have a DEA license, do I need to complete the mandatory education?

A. No, if you are not authorized to prescribe controlled substances, you do not need to complete the coursework. Visit your Board of Nursing on-line services account. Click the link to the Opioid CE activity and respond to the attestation questions that will confirm whether you must complete the mandatory CE. Once you have completed the Opioid CE activity in your online services account, you will not need to do anything further. (.cont. on pg. 5)

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Volume 28 Issue 4

(cont. from pg. 4)

Q

I have a DEA but do not prescribe controlled substances, do I have to complete the education?

A

Yes, the law requires licensees who are authorized to prescribe controlled substances to complete the coursework,

unless they are exempt as a participant in the Department of Human Services Opioid Prescribing Improvement

Program, pursuant to Minn. Stat. ?214.12, subd. 6(b).

Q. I completed mandatory opioid continuing education in another state. Does that satisfy the requirement for Minnesota?

A. Yes, if it includes the criteria established in law: licensees with the authority to prescribe controlled substances must obtain at least two hours of continuing education credit on best practices in prescribing opioids and controlled substances, including nonpharmacological and implantable device alternatives for treatment of pain and ongoing pain management. Coursework that does not meet the statutory content requirements of the Minnesota law will not be accepted.

Q. I live and/or practice outside of Minnesota. Do I need to satisfy this mandatory education requirement?

A. Yes, the law requires individuals who hold a Minnesota license and who are authorized to prescribe controlled substances to complete the coursework, unless they are exempt as a participant in the Minnesota Department of Human Services Opioid Prescribing Improvement Program, pursuant to Minn. Stat. ?214.12, subd. 6(b).

All APRNs must log into their Board of Nursing account, click on the Opioid CE tab on the left, click Submit to Proceed, click through the pages, and answer the eligibility questions to determine if they are exempt from completing the continuing education. APRNs who are not exempt are required to submit verification of completion of the CEU with the course objectives prior to December 31, 2022.

The status of APRNs completing the eligibility questions or the continuing education as of September 11, 2020 is:

Total and Percentage of APRN Compliance with Opioid Continuing Education Requirement

September 11, 2020

APRN TYPE

CNP

COMPLETED (%)

534 (7 %)

EXEMPT (%)

279 (4%)

NO REPONSE

6106 (88%)

TOTAL ACTIVE LICENSED APRN

6930

CNS

20 (4%)

70 (15%)

379 (80%)

473

CNM

18 (5%)

16 (4%)

351 (91%)

385

CRNA

9 (.4%)

165 (8%)

2012 (92%)

2186

15 APRN's missing from data due to recently issued APRN license issued

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