Breaking News - Delaware becomes the 22nd state with full practice authority

We have heard the most exciting news!  Delaware just joined the green states as the 22nd state, including DC, with full practice authority for nurse practitioners!  Congratulations Delaware!

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 1, 2015

Senate Bill 57 w/SA 1 and SS 1 for SB 101 Pass in Last Day of Legislative Session

Dover, DE (July 1, 2015) During the last hours of the 148th General Assembly legislative session, Senate Bill 57 w/SA 1 and SS 1 for SB 101 passed the House to bring the Delaware Nurse Practice Act in line with the APRN Consensus Model. The Consensus Model provides uniformity in the regulation of licensure, accreditation, certification, and education of APRN roles in states that adopt it. DNA applauds members of the Legislative Assembly for passing these bills.

Senate Bill 57 w/SA 1changes the title of Advanced Practice Nurse (APN) to Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN), updates the renewal and reinstatement requirements for advanced practice nursing licensure, and clarifies prescription requirements.

SS 1 for SB 101 creates a new Board of Nursing Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN) Committee to include four APRNs in the four population foci to be consistent with the Consensus Model, four medical doctors and one pharmacist. Also included is the provision for full practice authority for APRNs that extends to ordering and prescribing non-pharmacological interventions such as medical devices, durable equipment, diagnostic and supportive services and to sign death certificates.

The bill eliminates collaborative agreements for licensure for APRNs already practicing with a collaborative agreement as of July 1, 2015. All new APRN graduates and those nurses seeking to obtain independent practice must practice under a collaborative agreement for 2 years and a minimum of 4,000 full-time hours.