Summary
Since this rule was last reviewed in March 2013, it has been amended several times. The Division has received the following written comments with respect to the rule: 1) a 08/24/2015 email from Mike Broschinsky, Office of Administrative Rules, in which he notified the Division that the word "Division" was missing in Section R156-31b-103. As a result, the Division filed a nonsubstantive rule filing, File No. 39615, on 08/25/2015 to correct the error; and 2) the Division received written comments relating to a June 2014 repeal and reenact rule filing as follows: a 06/03/2014 letter from Laura Upton-Bell, a 06/07/2014 letter from Karen M. Bees, a 06/06/2014 email from Amy Goeser, and a 06/04/2014 email from Nadine Hancy. All of these individuals were associated in some manner with the Washington County School District, and all were concerned that the rules prohibit a licensed practical nurse (LPN) from functioning autonomously as a school nurse. The Board of Nursing reviewed and considered the June 2014 written comments and their position at the 06/12/2014 rule hearing was that the rule governing school nurses has not changed in this proposed rule filing. Although it is permissible for an LPN to work as a school nurse, the school or district must also employ a registered nurse (RN) so that the LPN is appropriately supervised. The Board determined to take the written comments under advisement with the possibility that a rule amendment could be proposed in the future to further clarify the scope of an LPN's practice within a school setting.