Iowa Board of Nursing Proposes New Rules for ARNPs

The Iowa Board of Nursing recently published proposed rules that govern the practice of Advanced Registered Nurse Practitioners (ARNPs). The current rules are under Section 655 of the Iowa Administrative Code Chapter 7. Typically, changes to the administrative code come in the form of amendments or additions to the existing code. However, here, the Board is proposing to rescind all of Chapter 7 and replace it with the newly proposed version.
The new Chapter 7, which can be read  here, completely overhauls the prior chapter. It covers everything from education to licensure to scope of practice for Iowa ARNPs. In addition to the general overhaul, streamlining, and clarifications made, it also adds sections on standards of practice for treating patients and for prescribing controlled substances. For prescribing controlled substances, the ARNP will need to query and report the action to the Prescription Management Program, as well as provide ongoing patient education regarding the risks of controlled substances. The new chapter also includes guidelines for ARNPs to collaborate with pharmacists. These guidelines provide a framework for an ARNP to delegate aspects of drug therapy management to a pharmacist through a written practice protocol. 
Since this proposal is to replace the chapter in its entirety, there are too many changes to accurately convey here. If you may be effected by these rules, please review the announcement  here. The public comment period is open until 4:30 pm on December 11, 2018. If you wish to make a comment, please contact Kathy Weinberg (Kathy.weinberg@iowa.gov) with the Iowa Board of Nursing. Presently there is no public hearing scheduled.