Under the Compact, only the RN and LPN roles will be recognized among all the Compact states. The expanded role certification recognition is not included in the multi-state license. Therefore, you must apply for an expanded role or advanced practice certification if you apply for licensure in another state.
When you are practicing nursing in another Compact state you must abide by the Nursing Practice Law and Rules and Regulations of that state. You are under the jurisdiction of the regulatory Board in the state in which you practice nursing, and should contact the appropriate state board. The practice of nursing will subject a nurse to the jurisdiction of the nurse licensing board and the courts, as well as the laws, in that state.
The multi-state license benefit is only for nurses meet the eleven (11) uniform licensure requirements set by the National Council for State Boards of Nursing. Issuance of a single-state license may be issued if the nurse does not meet all of these requirements.
A licensed nurse may only hold one multistate license at a time. If you declare another state your primary residence, you must apply for licensure in your new home state. If your new home state is a compact state and you hold a Mississippi multistate license, you may continue to practice in your new home state while awaiting the issuance of your new license. If you are issued a single state license only, your Mississippi license will remain active but changed to single state. If you are issued a multistate license, your Mississippi license will become inactive but you will still have the privilege to practice in Mississippi and other compact states. More information can be found on the NCSBN website under Licensure Compacts.
The most current listing of states participating in the Nurse Licensure Compact can be obtained from the National Council of State Boards of Nursing website at www.ncsbn.org.
Effective July 1, 2001, Mississippi entered into the Nurse Licensure Compact. Under the Compact, the registered nurse/licensed practical nurse license is issued by your primary state of residence (home state) will be recognized among all Compact states. Please note that when you are practicing in another Compact state, you must abide by the Nursing Practice Law of that state where you are practicing. The Compact defines "primary state of residence" as "the state of a person's declared fixed permanent and principal home for legal purposes." If your primary state of residence is Mississippi your license will be designated as MULTI-STATE. Under the Compact, nurses with current, unrestricted multi-state licenses may practice in any state which is a member of the Compact. However, the nurse may only hold a license in one Compact state which is determined by the primary state of residence. Thus, if you currently live in Mississippi and obtain/hold an unrestricted license here, you would have privilege to practice nursing in the other Compact states.
The appropriately prepared licensed practical nurse may perform these tasks provided:
No. Review and approval of educational programs for continuing education accreditation is not within the purview of the Mississippi Board of Nursing.
The Board may conduct periodic audits to ensure compliance. Upon notification of audit by the Board, the APRN shall submit to the Board any certificates, transcripts, or other documentation evidencing compliance with these rules, within ten (10) business days of receiving such notification. Failure to comply with this rule may subject the APRN to disciplinary action or other administrative sanction. APRNs graduating from an accredited master's degree or higher APRN program within the last two (2) years are exempt for this requirement for the first renewal of State Certification only.
It is not within the scope of practice of the licensed practical nurse to pronounce death or certify death.
It is within the scope of practice of the appropriately prepared registered nurse to dictate history and physical, progress/consultation notes and/or discharge summaries provided the physician and/or APRN provides the nurse with the data pertinent to the formulation of the medical conclusion and the medical diagnosis. The registered nurse may not draw medical conclusions, make a medical dianosis or sign for the physician.
Information concerning disciplinary actions for past years is available on our web site under the Discipline link. Request for additional information concerning past discipline may be requested through our online license verification system. There is a $20 fee for record retrieval and the first 50 pages. There is an additional charge of $0.50 per page for each page over the first 50.
Documentation of all nursing activities should be clear, concise, complete and contemporaneous with the activity/observation.
Documentation of all nursing activities should be clear, concise, complete and contemporaneous with the activity/observation. The documentation should be done as soon as possible after the activity is performed, medication is administered, etc. Regarding late entries, a specific time limit or time frame for late entries into the clinical record is not suggested in resources consulted. The nurse must use professional judgment and be able to factually remember the activity/observation in question in determining what can honestly be entered into the clinical record, after a period of time. The date/time of the late entry must be current and reflect the date and time for which the entry is being made. The nurse should follow the facility's policies and procedures on documentation of late entries. In the event an order clarification is needed, it should be given as a usual medical order, whereas, the licensed nurse is educated and competent, there is a medical order, the licensed nurse practices according to accepted standards of care, and the facility has policies and procedures in place to address all aspects of the issue.
It was further determined that it is not within the scope of practice of the licensed practical nurse to perform ear stapling as treatment for obesity, migraine headaches, insomnia, etc.
The Mississippi Nursing Practice Law and the Administrative Code require licensed nurses in shelter settings to provide care which adheres to the law and to applicable standards of care. Medical orders concerning administration of medications at home which are evidenced by pill bottles or IV bags etc. should be followed as they would in the home. If interventions other than those covered by existing medical prescriptions/ orders are necessary or a question concerning existing medical prescriptions/orders arise, the nurse should provide necessary first aid and contact medical control through the mechanisms which are established by the State Department of Health. If a nurse is assigned to a shelter in which people are taking refuge at the last minute, the nurse should perform emergency first aid, follow applicable written protocols and contact medical control through the established mechanisms as soon as possible.
Mississippi is a member of the Emergency Management Assistance Compact which provides that "in managing any emergency disaster that is duly declared by the Governor of the affected state, whether arising from natural disaster, technological hazard, manmade disaster, civil emergency aspects of resources shortages, community disorders, insurgency or enemy attack. Whenever any person holds a license, certificate, or other permit issued by any state party to the compact evidencing the meeting of qualifications for professional, mechanical, or other skills, and when such assistance is requested by the receiving party state, such person shall be deemed licensed, certified, or permitted by the state requesting assistance to render aid involving such skill to meet a declared emergency or disaster, subject to such limitations and conditions as the Governor of the requesting state may prescribe by executive order or otherwise."
Other member states of the Emergency Management Assistance Compact are Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Congress Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia and Wisconsin.
The licensed practical nurse's role in performing external cerebral ventricular catheter care is limited to the provision of catheter insertion site care.
On July 27, 2007, the Board of Nursing's Nurse Practice Committee determined that it is within the scope of practice of the appropriately prepared registered nurse to discontinue a femoral nerve block catheter.
It is within the scope of practice of the appropriately prepared licensed nurse (registered nurse or licensed practical nurse) to administer vaccines per medically approved protocols and/or standing orders. These protocols or standing orders should contain provisions to treat adverse vaccine events including, but not limited to, medication administration and emergency transfer. Mississippi has no statue that would require an individual order for vaccination or prohibit the administration of this medication in the outpatient or home settings.
It is not within the scope of practice of the registered nurse to teach IV skills and/or injection of an IV contrast agent to a RDCS, medical assistant, nursing assistant or other unlicensed individual. Furthermore, the registered nurse may not delegate such interventions/tasks to the RDCS, medical assistant, nursing assistant or other unlicensed individual or supervise, in any capacity, the RDCS, medical assistant, nursing assistant or other unlicensed individual performing such interventions/tasks.
The licensee did not renew their license within the specified time period and may not engage in the practice of nursing.
It is not within the scope of practice of the registered nurse or licensed practical nurse to perform laser vascular lesion removal, sclerotherapy for varicose veins, or Botox injections.
You will need to apply for a Mississippi license by endorsement if you have never held a Mississippi license. If you have held a Mississippi license at some point, you will need to apply by reinstatement. You will register or enter your username & password to excess the nurse gateway to submit the online application & fee.
The Board does not mandate the number of hours or days per year that you must work to maintain an active license. However, if you have not performed nursing in five (5) years or longer you will be required to take a refresher course.
Documentation of continuing basic nursing competencies not included in 30 Miss. Admin. Code, Part 2810, Chapter 4, Rule 4.7, may be considered by the Board on an individual basis. Documentation of one of the above options must be submitted with the application for licensure. Obtaining 20 contact hours of nursing continuing education via the internet would be acceptable contingent upon such nursing continuing education courses being currently approved, accredited, provided, or offered by a recognized credentialing agency. The American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) is such an agency.
Pursuant to the 30 Miss. Admin. Code, Part 2810, Chapter 4, Rule 4.6, licensees holding inactive licensure will need to apply for reinstatement of an active license. Upon completion of the reinstatement process, licensure may be conferred if all licensing requirements are met. Any RN or LPN applying to change from inactive to active status must submit evidence of continuing basic nursing competencies when you have not practiced nursing for compensation or performed the function of a RN or LPN in a voluntary capacity with or without compensation with the five (5) year period immediately prior to the application.
Pursuant to the Mississippi Board of Nursing Rules and 30 Miss. Admin. Code, Part 2810, Chapter 4, Rule 4.5, inactive licensure means that you are not engaged in the active practice of nursing but desire to maintain licensure. Any person practicing as a RN or LPN during the time the nurse holds inactive licensure shall be considered to be practicing illegally and shall be subject to disciplinary action by the Board.
During renewal time you will have the option to renew your license as active or inactive. If you choose to renew your license has inactive you will submit the $25.00 fee to put your license in an inactive status for that renewal period.
The Mississippi Nursing Practice Law does not mandate CEUs as a prerequisite to renewing or maintaining a RN or LPN license. The law does require the nurse to maintain competency in his/her nursing practice, but that responsibility rests with each nurse as pertinent to his/her field of practice. If the RN or LPN has been out of practice for greater than five (5) years, the RN or LPN will be required to comply with Continuing Education requirements for the renewal. The RN or LPN shall complete a minimum of twenty (20) contact hours of accepted continuing education earned in the previous 2-year period immediately prior to such application toward satisfying the requirement.
The licensed practical nurse may perform the above referenced functions concerning IVs provided:
The licensed practical nurse may not:
A. Initiate a peripheral IV
B. Hang (spike) a new bag of fluid
C. Regulate fluids of a central access
D. Discontinue a central line
E. Flush a peripheral intermittent vascular access device (Hep lock/INT)
The scope of practice of the licensed practical nurse certified in IV therapy is defined in 30 Miss. Admin. Code Pt. 2840 Chapter 3, and the Mississippi Nursing Practice Law, which can be accessed through the board's website.
The rules and regulations for the expanded role LPN in IV therapy can be found in 30 Miss. Admin. Code Pt. 2830, Chapter 2. The scope of practice for the LPN expanded role in IV therapy is addressed in Rule 2.4.
30 Miss. Admin. Code Pt.2830, R 2.4(G),states, "Unless otherwise specified in these regulations, the LPN certified in IV therapy may perform advanced acts of IV therapy if the supervisor is physically on the premises where the patient is having nursing care provided. The physician or dentist may provide supervision in the medical or dental office. In all other settings, supervision and delegation must be by a registered nurse." The supervising registered nurse must be physically present on the premises where the patient is having nursing care provided for the licensed practical nurse certified in IV therapy to perform advanced acts of IV therapy. The physician or dentist may provide supervision in the medical or dental office. In all other settings, supervision and delegation must be by a RN.
No, additional documentation is not required to renew LPN Expanded Therapy Role. On the renewal application simply click that you wish to renew your LPN Expanded IV Therapy along with your LPN license.
The Mississippi Nursing Practice Law does not specify the number of hours that a nurse may work per day or week. Each nurse must realistically evaluate his/her abilities to determine the number of hours in which he/she can safely provide nursing care. The Mississippi Nursing Practice Law and the Administrative Code of the Board of Nursing, state negligently or willfully acting in a manner inconsistent with the health and safety of the persons under the licensee's care, including, but not limited to, inappropriately delegating or accepting a patient assignment, and assuming duties and responsibilities in the practice of nursing when competency has not been maintained may compromise the health and safety of patients and are grounds for disciplinary action against the nurse's license. The licensed nurse is responsible for assuring that he/she is educated and competent to care for the number of patients assigned, to perform the necessary procedure(s), or to administer the medication(s) prior to accepting such a patient assignment or task.
The Board of Nursing has no guidelines prohibiting the appropriately prepared licensed nurse from implementing a drug order that has a dosage range. The medical provider makes the "medical judgment" as to the specific medication and dosage. The nurse is given the latitude to use "nursing judgment" in determining the amount to be administered based on the client's clinical status. The nurse must apply adequate knowledge and skills in determining the dosage to be administered at any given time. Appropriate documentation of client assessment and evaluation must substantiate intervention. It is recommended that medication orders be patient/condition specific even if prescribed PRN. This would take away some of the notion of the nurse "prescribing" the medication. There should certainly be some consultation with the physician to initiate a standing order particularly if the signs/symptoms are deviations from the patient's norm. Standing orders are certainly not to be used in lieu of medical consultation/intervention.
Yes, it is within the scope of practice of the appropriately prepared RN or LPN to administer vaccines per medically approved protocols and/or standing orders.
On April 11, 2004, the Board reviewed a request for clarification of the role of the registered nurse in the administration of Nesiritide (Natrecor) in the home-health/hospice setting. The Board determined that the information submitted for review was insufficient for the Board to establish the nurse’s role or safety issues concerning this procedure. The Board further determined it is not within the scope of practice of the registered nurse to administer Natrecor in the home-health/hospice setting.
It is within the scope of practice of the appropriately prepared registered nurse to administer Ephedrine IV push for maternal hypotension.
The Board does not maintain a listing of specific medications acceptable for administration by registered nurses and licensed practical nurses. When administering any medication, the licensed nurse should be knowledgeable of and comply with all applicable state and federal laws, rules, regulations and guidelines pertaining to the specific medication, including, but not limited to, those of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), the Mississippi Board of Pharmacy and the Mississippi Board of Nursing. The nurse/facility must determine which medication is appropriate for the nurse to safely administer based on the nurse's education and competence, current standards of practice, and the facility's policies and procedures.
It is within the scope of practice of the licensed practical nurse to administer respiratory nebulizer/aerosol treatments.
The Board does not maintain a listing of specific medications acceptable for administration by registered nurses and licensed practical nurses. When administering any medication, the licensed nurse should be knowledgeable of and comply with all applicable and state and federal laws, rules, regulations and guidelines pertaining to the specific medication, including but not limited to, those of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), the Mississippi Board of Pharmacy, and the Mississippi Board of Nursing. The nurse/facility must determine which medication is appropriate for the nurse to safely administer based on the nurse’s education and competence, current standards of practice, and the facility’s policies and procedures. The nurse is responsible to assure that she/he is educated and competent to perform the procedure or administer the medication in question prior to accepting such a task.
The appropriately prepared Registered Nurse may administer IV chemotherapeutic agents. The Board of nursing does not require "certification" as a pre-requisite for the nurse to provide education regarding chemotherapy or as a pre-requisite to providing care to chemotherapy patients. According to the Mississippi Nursing Practice Law, Rules and Regulations, the nurse shall be held accountable for the quality of nursing care given to patients and failure to maintain competency or accepting an assignment in which a nurse is not competent may be grounds for disciplinary action against the nurse’s license. The nurse is responsible to assure that he/she is trained and competent to do the procedure or administer the medication prior to accepting such a task.
It is within the scope of practice of the appropriately prepared registered nurse to instill medication into the chest cavity via chest tube. In addition, there must be a patient specific order for the procedure.
The registered nurse who is not a qualified anesthesia provider, who has specialized education and training, in settings where critical care nursing can be provided, may initiate, titrate, and bolus intravenous agents provided the patient's airway is secured and mechanically assisted. A qualified physician or certified registered nurse anesthetist (CRNA) must select and order the agent to be used. Refer to the Administration and Management of Moderate Sedation position statement.
The Board does not maintain a listing of each medication/anesthetic agent which a nurse can administer. The nurse/facility must determine which of these drugs are appropriate based on the nurse’s education and competence, current standards of practice, and the facility’s policies and procedures. When administering any medications, the registered nurse should be knowledgeable of and comply with all applicable state and federal laws, rules, regulations and guidelines pertaining to the specific medication, including but not limited to, those of the Food and Drug Administration, Drug Enforcement Administration, the Mississippi Board of Pharmacy, and the Mississippi Board of Nursing.
Refer to the Role of the Licensed Practical Nurse in Nasogastric Tube Insertion position statement. It is within the scope of practice of the licensed practical nurse to insert and to discontinue a nasogastric tube. The board does not mandate certification as a prerequisite for the licensed practical nurse to perform this procedure.
In accordance with the Nurse Practice Law, the board may issue a temporary permit to practice nursing to a graduate of an approved school of nursing pending the results of the first licensing examination in Mississippi, and to a qualified applicant from another state, territory or possession of the United States, or District of Columbia, or pending licensure procedures as provided for elsewhere in this article. The fee shall not exceed Twenty-five Dollars ($25.00). (Temporary permits are issued for 90 days from the date of issuance/approval. See temporary permits for New Graduates under Licensure and Practice).
The Mississippi Board of Nursing does not mandate the content/curriculum for graduate student orientation.
No. New graduates may only sign off on paperwork using the initials to signify they are a graduate nurse (i.e. G.N.). Signing as a R.N. or L.P.N. is only allowed when a license is obtained as those legal credentials have title protection afforded by law.
The number of patients a nurse may care for with reasonable skill and safety should be determined by evaluation of the nurse's educational preparation, experience and competencies; acuity of the patients; layout of the facility and equipment; and other resources available for care of the patient. Pursuant to the Nursing Practice Law and the Administartive Code of the Board of Nursing, the registered nurse shall be held accountable for the quality of nursing care given to patients. This includes, but is not limited to, assessing the patient's needs, formulating a nursing diagnosis, planning for, implementing and evaluating the nursing care in the promotion and maintenance of health of each patient for whom responsibility has been accepted. Furthermore, the registered nurse is accountable for the quality of nursing care given by self or others being supervised. The registered nurse may assign nursing duties to other qualified personnel; assign duties of medication administration or patient medications to other licensed nurses only except as set out in 30 Miss. Admin. Code, Part 2860, Chpater 1; and assign duties for giving patient treatments to licensed nurses and/or auxiliary workers based upon knowledge of their education preparation and experience. However, the registered nurse remains accountable for the acts delegated. Negligently or willfully acting in a manner inconsistent with the health and safety of the persons under the licensee's care, including, but not limited to, inappropriately delegating or accepting a patient assignment, and assuming duties and responsibilities in the practice of nursing when competency has not been maintained may compromise the health and safety of patients and are grounds for disciplinary action against the nurse's license. The licensed nurse is responsible for assuring he/she is educated and competent to care for the number of patients assigned, to perform necessary procedure(s), or to administer medication(s) prior to accepting such a patient assignment or task. Federal and state regulations contain mandates and regulate healthcare staffing. In situations regarding consistent understaffing, the nurse should be aware of federal and state regulations regarding the facility's responsibility to assure safe staffing and avenues to report this situation when the nurse feels that it endangers the patient's health and safety. A Condition of Participation in the Federal Regulations governing hospital services mandates that the "hospital have an organized nursing service that provides 24 hour nursing services." Regulations further state that "the Director of Nursing Services is responsible for the operation of the service including the types and numbers of nursing personnel as needed. Nursing administration duties include a review of nursing staffing and making adjustments for absenteeism, as necessary." The Federal regulations also mirror the Nursing Practice Law by state the "registered nurse must assign the nursing care of each patient to other personnel in accordance with the patient's needs and the specialized qualifications and competencies of the nursing staff available." State regulations for hospitals state that the facility must provide nursing services for each unit sufficient to meet the needs of the patients. There are similar state and federal regulations for other health care facilities.
The Mississippi State Department of Health is responsible for enforcement of federal and state regulations for healthcare facilities. Consistent understaffing which endangers the health and safety of the patient should be reported to the Mississippi State Department of Health, Division of Health Facilities and Licensure and Certification at 601-576-7300.
As noted above, the patient who has a vaginal pack in place to stop or slow bleeding/hemorrhage is not a candidate for the packing to be removed by the registered nurse.
The Nurse Practice Committee further determined that it is not within the scope of practice of the licensed practical nurse to remove the initial post-surgical vaginal pack.
It is within the scope of practice of the appropriately prepared registered nurse to remove subsequent vaginal packs provided the standard requirements are met, the vaginal pack was not placed to stop or slow bleeding/hemorrhage, and the original vaginal pack has been removed postoperatively by the physician or advanced practiced nurse. As previously noted, the patient who has a vaginal pack in place to stop or slow bleeding/hemorrhage is not a candidate for the packing to be removed by a registered nurse.
It should be further noted that, in accordance with Section 73-15-5 (2) of the Mississippi Nursing Practice Law, it is outside of the scope of practice of the registered nurse to make a medical diagnosis or to draw medical conclusions. Thus, the registered nurse may not make an independent determination to terminate or continue restraints or seclusion.
The licensed practical nurse gives nursing care under the direction of the RN, licensed physician or licensed dentist which does not require the specialized skill, judgment and knowledge required of a RN. This includes but it not limited to assisting the RN in the planning, implementation and evaluation of nursing care, observing, recording, reporting, and performing procedures for which the LPN has the necessary degree of skill and judgment. The LPN shall not be supervised by unlicensed personnel.
“The practice of nursing by a registered nurse means the performance for compensation of services which requires substantial knowledge of the biological, physical, behavioral, psychological and sociological sciences and of nursing theory as the basis for assessment, diagnosis, planning, intervention and evaluation in the promotion and maintenance of health; management of individuals' responses to illness, injury or infirmity; the restoration of optimum function; or the achievement of a dignified death. Nursing practice includes, but is not limited to, administration, teaching, counseling, delegation and supervision of nursing, and execution of the medical regimen, including the administration of medications and treatments prescribed by any licensed or legally authorized physician or dentist. The foregoing shall not be deemed to include acts of medical diagnosis or prescriptions of medical, therapeutic or corrective measures, except as may be set forth by rules and regulations promulgated jointly by the State Board of Medical Licensure and the Mississippi Board of Nursing and implemented by the Mississippi Board of Nursing.”
“The practice of nursing by a licensed practical nurse means the performance for compensation of services requiring basic knowledge of the biological, physical, behavioral, psychological and sociological sciences and of nursing procedures which do not require the substantial skill, judgment and knowledge required of a registered nurse. These services are performed under the direction of a registered nurse or a licensed physician or licensed dentist and utilize standardized procedures in the observation and care of the ill, injured and infirmed; in the maintenance of health; in action to safeguard life and health; and in the administration of medications and treatments as prescribed by any licensed physician or licensed dentist authorized by state law to prescribe. On a selected basis, and within safe limits, the role of the licensed practical nurse shall be expanded by the board under its rule-making authority to more complex procedures and settings commensurate with additional preparation and experience.”
The registered nurse shall be held accountable for the quality of nursing care given to patients. This includes but is not limited to, assessing the patient’s needs, supervising, formulating a nursing diagnosis, planning for, implementing and evaluation of the nursing care in the promotion and the maintenance of health of each patient for whom responsibility has been accepted. The registered nurse is accountable for the quality of care given by self or others being supervised. The registered nurse may assign nursing duties to other qualified personnel; assign duties of medication administration of patient medications to other licensed nurses only except as set out in Part 2860, Rule 1.3(a)(2)of the Administrative Code; and assign duties for giving patient treatments to licensed nurses and/or auxiliary workers based upon knowledge of their educational preparation and experienced. The registered nurse remains accountable for the acts carried out, as well as, the outcome of the acts delegated.
The Mississippi Nursing Practice Law and the Administrative Code of the Board of Nursing do not preclude the appropriately prepared licensed practical nurse from verifying the PCA pump setting and documenting the same. The record should be clear that the licensed practical nurse is only verifying the pump setting and is not initiating or regulating the PCA infusion.