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Q.
Who are Board-approved providers?
Board – approved
providers are continuing education providers who comply with Board
Standards and are approved by the Alabama Board of Nursing
[610-X-10-.03].
- Board approved providers are assigned a
non-transferable provider number that is “ABNP” followed by four digits.
Alabama Board of Nursing providers must list their provider number and
expiration date on all course announcements, certificates, and records.
- Board approved providers per city can be identified
on the Board’s web site,
www.abn.alabama.gov. Select continuing education and then click on
provider look up.
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Q. How does an entity become approved by the Board
of Nursing?
Approved providers must
evidence capability to adhere to criteria indicative of quality
continuing education activities for nurses [610-X-10-.03(1)]. The
criteria include specific requirements such as having an organized
educational unit, a program director; policies and procedures which
facilitate efficient operation of planned continuing education
activities including maintenance of reports and records; and appropriate
educational facilities, resources and instructors. The complete
criteria with guidelines are available through the Board office.
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Q.
Who are Board recognized providers?
Recognized providers
[610-X-10-.02(2) b] include, but are not limited, to the following
categories:
-
A state board of
nursing.
-
A state nurses
association.
-
National
organizations and associations.
-
Alabama state
regulatory agencies.
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Q. Do I
have to be a registered nurse to be a program director for a continuing
education provider?
The program director
may be a registered nurse, licensed practical nurse, or otherwise
qualified individual. If the program director is not a registered
nurse, there must be evidence of consultation by a registered nurse.
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Q. I attended a
program offered by a Board approved provider and the instructor was not
well prepared. How can I report this?
Please share your
comments with the contact person for the provider number and the Board.
You can contact the nurse consultant in the continuing education area at
the Board. Contact information for Board staff is located at the web
site
www.abn.alabama.gov.
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Q. If a provider
fails to meet criteria, what action does the Board take?
The Board may deny or
withdraw approval of any provider or continuing education activity
[610-X-10-.03(4)]. Grounds for withdrawal of approval include:
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Lack of qualified
personnel for planning and conducting continuing education for
nurses.
-
Inadequate record
maintenance.
-
Fraud, deception or
misrepresentation relating to the educational program.
-
Failure to comply
with request for documents, or submitting false, inaccurate, or
incomplete evidence of continuing education programs conducted and
certificates issued.
-
Aiding or abetting
a licensee who fails to meet the continuing education requirements
by altering or falsifying certificates.
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Q. Can a program director be disciplined by
the Board?
A continuing education
program director who is a registered nurse or licensed practical nurse
and fails to comply with the requirements in the rules shall be subject
to disciplinary action by the Board [610-X-10-.03(6)].
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Q. Does the Board conduct routine audits to
determine provider compliance with criteria?
The Board may conduct
an audit upon written complaint by any individual for failure of a
provider to meet criteria for approval. The Board also conducts random
audits of providers to determine compliance with criteria. |
