How can I find out
if they have credentials?
Visit the
License Lookup
, click on and select from the Credential Type, type in the last
name or credential number to search.
How
can I file a complaint?
Go to File
a Complaint and follow the steps
How
can I find out if there is discipline or other orders affecting a
credential holder?
Visit
the Reports of Decisions
and type in their name in the Search window.
Can
credentials be transferred from other States/Countries?
Complete Application
for Registered Nurses by Endorsement (people licensed in other
states). The holder of a registered nurse license of another
state or territory may be granted a license without examination
if the holder's credentials of general and professional educational
qualifications and other qualifications are comparable to those
required in this state during the same period and if the board
is satisfied from the holder's employment and professional record
that the holder is currently competent to practice the profession.
Nurse Licensure
Compacts:
The mutual recognition
model of nurse licensure allows a nurse to have one license
(in his or her state of residency) and to practice in other states,
subject to each state's practice law and regulation. Under
mutual recognition, a nurse may practice across state lines unless
otherwise restricted.
People Trained Outside
the United States:
Contact Department for
application and follow steps.
How
long does it take to make a determination to provide credentials?
By law
an original completed application for a credential shall be reviewed
within 60 business days after having been received, but the average
time for review is 30 days. An application is considered completed
when all materials necessary to make a determination on the application
and all requested materials have been received.
Q:
How can I know if a certain patient health care task or procedure
is within the scope of my nursing license?
A: The Board of
Nursing frequently receives questions from nurses regarding whether
a specific patient health care task or procedure is within the scope
of their practice or permitted under their license. The questions
often involve the use of specific equipment, the administration of
medications or types of invasive and non-invasive health care procedures.
However, the Board of Nursing does not maintain a specific “task list”
for each level of licensure; registered nurse, licensed practical
nurse or advance practice nurse, and does not respond to questions
which require specificity as to a particular task in a particular
setting.
Due to rapid changes
in health care technology, and variations in health care settings
and the competencies of individual nurses, it would be impractical
for the Board to maintain such a “task list” or to ensure its accuracy,
applicability, as well as currency. The scope of practice of a nurse
is determined based upon a number of factors, including the standards
of practice in the Wisconsin Nurse Practice Act, the rules in Chapters
N6 and N8 of the Wisconsin Administrative Code, and applicable national
certification in advance specialty fields. The core concept in determining
scope of practice under the legal parameters governing the licensure
and regulation of the nursing profession is the “education, training
and experience” of the nurse; that is the educational preparation
and demonstrated abilities of the nurse.
Alternate resources
which may be useful to those who seek guidance as to whether specific
tasks are within the scope of practice of a nurse may include professional
nursing literature, nursing textbooks, national guidelines, practice
recommendations for specialty fields, and resources from professional
membership organizations.
