NCSBN provides guidance on reinstating encumbered licenses

As health care providers need more nurses to care for patients during surges in COVID-19 cases, some nursing boards have taken steps to facilitate reentry into the workforce for nurses whose licenses have lapsed. To help boards evaluate whether to facilitate the return of nurses with encumbered licenses to the workforce, the National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN) issued a policy brief outlining factors boards should consider. The brief recommends the following steps: waiving disciplinary action for licensees who have been removed from practice due to administrative issues that have no nexus to public safety; limiting waivers or other policy decisions to the duration of the state of emergency; and “if necessity dictates,” adopting a uniform protocol to authorize certain modifications to disciplinary actions. Boards also are advised to consider whether there may be legal consequences arising from their actions. AONL, among other nursing groups, endorsed the NCSBN recommendations. (NCSBN policy brief)