ONLINE RENEWAL SERVICE RESTORED

The system was repaired late in the afternoon on June 30th, 2009. We continue to encourage the use of the online renewal system.

Due to the problems related to online renewal, the Board will waive the late fees usually imposed in July for this licensure renewal period.

Additionally, we will be preparing paper renewal applications and will automatically mail these applications to any nurses who have not completed the renewal process at the time of mailing. Your license and/or certificate expiration date is still August 31, 2009. As always, your renewal must be completed online, or the paper application must be postmarked by August 31, 2009 or your license and/or certificate will lapse.

Please do not contact the Board to request a renewal application, as we are dedicating all staff resources to expedite this special renewal application mailing.

When the Board has additional information about the timeframe of the mailing, we will post the information on the web site.

Contacting the Board by Phone

Due to extremely high call volume related to renewal on June 29th, the State's telecommunications system became overloaded. The State has temporarily disabled the Board’s telephone call automated routing system to prevent an outage. It will be difficult to contact the Board by telephone for the next few days. Email addresses can be found on our website as an alternative (Click Here). We hope that service will be restored soon.

ALERT: Examination and Endorsement Applicants

Due to an extremely high volume of licensure applications, the average processing time is 45 business days, from the date your application is received by the Board. This involves an initial review of the application, data entry into the Board’s database, and processing of your application fee. Once the initial review and processing of your application is complete, Board staff determine whether other application documents have been received (i.e. program completion letters, transcripts, license verifications, background check reports).

(Click Here for Entire Message)

Committee for Prescriptive Governance (CPG)
modifications to Formulary format

At its May 11, 2009 meeting, The Committee for Prescriptive Governance (CPG) approved modifications to the Formulary format. Two of the prescribing categories within the Formulary for APNs with Certificates to Prescribe (CTP/CTP-E) are being merged into one column. The categories being merged are "Physician Initiated" (PI) and "Physician Consult" (PC). These format changes will be effective and available on the Formulary on July 15, 2009. CTP holders should plan to review the revised Formulary with their collaborating physicians and update their Standard Care Arrangement (SCA) according to the explanation in the linked document that details the change and provides an example of the modified Formulary categories. (click here)

Any questions concerning the CPG or the Formulary should be directed to Jennifer Smallwood, Practice Consultant, by email at jsmallwood@nursing.ohio.gov or by telephone (614) 728-2504.

Certified Nurse Midwife (CNM) midwife position
on the Committee for Prescriptive Governance (CPG)

"The Board is seeking applicants for the Certified Nurse Midwife (CNM) midwife position on the Committee for Prescriptive Governance (CPG). The CPG as established in Section 4723.49 of the Revised Code is a multidisciplinary committee composed of advanced practice nurses, physicians and pharmacists. The CPG is required to review the Formulary, established for Certificate to Prescribe (CTP) holders, for additions or deletions at least once a year. Prior to each CPG meeting, the members are provided with a packet of materials and Formulary information that will be discussed at the next meeting. CPG members, do not receive compensation for CPG service, but are reimbursed for necessary expenses incurred in the performance of official duties. This appointment is for a three-year term.
The Application for Appointment to the Ohio Board of Nursing Committee on Prescriptive Governance is in the Nursing Practice section. (click here) The Board will appoint the certified nurse midwife CPG representative during the July 23-24, 2009 Board meeting. Interested CNMs should complete the application and submit it and a resume/CV to the Board no later than July 1, 2009.
Any questions concerning the CPG should be directed to Jennifer Smallwood, Practice Consultant, by email at jsmallwood@nursing.ohio.gov or by telephone (614) 728-2504.

"Category A" (Law and Rules)
One Hour Continuing Education Requirement

On November 19, 2008, the Ohio Board of Nursing (OBN) held a public hearing regarding a revision of Rule 4723-14-01, Ohio Administrative Code (OAC), related to providers of “Category A” continuing education. “Category A” means the portion of continuing education that meets the one-hour requirement directly related to Chapter 4723. of the Revised Code and the rules of the Ohio Board of Nursing (OBN) as set forth in Rule 4723-14-03, OAC. Any Category A obtained on or after February 1, 2009 must be approved by an OBN approver, or offered by an OBN approved provider unit that is headquartered in the state of Ohio. An OBN approver is an approver of continuing education. A list of OBN approvers is located on the Board’s web site at www.nursing.ohio.gov. Click on the “Education” link on the homepage and the list of OBN approvers is located under "Continuing Education". If you have questions about continuing education, please contact the Continuing Education Desk at (614) 466-1949 or by e-mail at ce@nursing.ohio.gov.

Recent Additions

Ohio Center for Nursing Site Launched

The Ohio Center for Nursing was established to promote nursing as a career in Ohio. It is generally understood that the nursing shortage is expected to continue as the current workforce approaches retirement age. Presently the center is solely web based and coordinated by the Ohio Board of Nursing. Individuals interested in becoming a nurse can obtain information on nursing as a career, nursing education programs, and tuition assistance. Interested parties will find nursing workforce data and additional sources for data.

CLICK HERE TO VISIT THE OHIO CENTER FOR NURSING
www.ohiocenterfornursing.org

Emergency Planning:  Influenza Pandemic

H1N1 virus ("Swine Flu")

On June 11, 2009, the World Health Organiztion (WHO) raised the worldwide pandemic alert level to Phase 6 in response to the ongoing global spread of the novel influenza A (H1N1) virus to more than 70 countries. A Phase 6 designation indicates that a global pandemic is underway. This number of countries affected has been increasing over the past few weeks, but many of the cases reportedly had links to travel or were localized outbreaks without community spread. The WHO designation of a pandemic alert Phase 6 reflects the fact that there are now ongoing community level outbreaks in multiple parts of world.

WHOs decision to raise the pandemic alert level to Phase 6 is a reflection of the spread of the virus, not the severity of illness caused by the virus. This indicates human-to-human transmission is occurring in at least two countries in the same region of a new influenza virus to which humans have not been exposed and can cause “community-level outbreaks.” The Ohio Department of Health has established a toll-free information line to answer questions about the H1N1 virus. Ohioans can call 1-866-800-1404 between 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday for information. Additional information is also available on the ODH and CDC Web sites at http://www.odh.ohio.gov/ and http://www.cdc.gov/swineflu.

Avian Flu

Experts believe an avian influenza pandemic will happen someday. The exact timing is not known, but it is certain to drastically change everyday lives. These changes may include temporary closing of schools or cancellation of events, disruption of normal services such as utilities and some shortages, and in particular, changes will impact the delivery of healthcare.

Since August 2006, Ohio Board of Nursing staff has been involved in a cooperative effort with multiple State agencies to address and plan for the possibility of an avian influenza pandemic. (Click Here)