Nurse:patient ratio and number of hours worked is left to the discretion of nursing leadership in individual facilities and agencies. Their decision should be based upon ABN Administrative Code §610-X-6-.03(4), which states that the registered nurse and licensed practical nurse shall “be responsible and accountable for the quality of nursing care delivered to patients based on and limited to scope of education, demonstrated competence and nursing experience.” Supervisors have responsibility for the care provided to patients as directed in Administrative Code §610-X-6-.03(5), which states, “the registered nurse and licensed practical nurse shall be responsible and accountable for the quality of nursing care delivered to patients by nursing personnel under the individual nurse’s supervision.”

The name on the license originates from the nurse’s application for Alabama licensure. The name remains the same, unless the nurse requests a name change in writing from the Board. The request may be made online at the ABN website: www.abn.alabama.gov. A name change will not be processed until appropriate documentation is received by the Board. Please visit My Profile to request a name change and upload the required documentation. Facility policy dictates whether to allow nametags to reflect the name on the license or another name.

The Alabama Board of Nursing does not maintain a position regarding competency determination. Several rules regarding competency must be considered by the facility, the nursing supervisor, and the nurse. Excerpts from the ABN Administrative Code are listed below: Rule 610-X-6-.03 (4) – “The registered nurse and licensed practical nurse shall: Be responsible and accountable for the quality of nursing care delivered to patients based on and limited to scope of education, demonstrated competence, and nursing experience.” Rule 610-X-6-.03 (5) – “The registered nurse and licensed practical nurse shall: Be responsible and accountable for the quality of nursing care delivered to patients by nursing personnel under the individual nurse’s supervision.” Rule 610-X-6-.03 (7) – – “The registered nurse and licensed practical nurse shall: Accept individual responsibility and accountability for judgments, actions and nursing competency, remaining current with technology and practicing consistent with facility policies and procedures.” Rule 610-X-6-.04(2) (a)(b)(c)(d) and 610-X-6-.05(2) (a)(b)(c)(d) – “Competence in the practice of nursing by a… [registered nurse/licensed practical nurse] …shall include, but is not limited to:

1. Knowledge and compliance with:
   1. Applicable statutes and regulations;
   2. Standards of nursing practice; and
   3. Standardized procedures for nursing practice including but not limited to facility policies and procedures.
2. Maintenance of knowledge and skills in the area of practice
3. Assumption of responsibility for recognizing personal limits of knowledge and experience
4. Consulting with or referring patients to other healthcare providers to resolve situations beyond the expertise of the registered nurse/practical nurse

The Standardized Procedure rule, 610-X-6-.12, dictates that, for any procedure beyond a nurse’s basic education, there must be a policy and procedure, successful completion of an organized program of study, supervised clinical practice, and demonstration of competency, initially and at periodic intervals. Should there be a complaint about a nurse’s practice, training records as well as records of competency determination may be subpoenaed.

No. The utilization of the Subscription Service eliminates the need to submit a separate report.

A student’s role with faculty supervision does not carry over to the role as an unlicensed employee of the hospital when the nursing student is working as a nursing assistant or patient care technician. Unless the nurse is a school nurse, a nurse in the State of Alabama Independent Living Program (SAIL), or a nurse with the Alabama Department of Mental Health Residential Community Program, the rule answering this question is found in Alabama Board of Nursing Administrative Code Chapter 610- X-6-.11(4), which indicates as follows: Tasks delegated to unlicensed assistive personnel may not include tasks that require:

• The exercise of independent nursing judgment or intervention
• Invasive or sterile procedure:
  • Finger sticks are not an invasive or sterile procedure within the meaning of these rules.
  • Peripheral venous phlebotomy for laboratory analysis is not an invasive or sterile procedure within the meaning of these rules.
• The assistance with medications except as provided in Chapter 610-X-7.

To provide nursing care in Alabama, a nursing license is required. A first-time applicant for licensure in Alabama, including a nursing graduate, may request a non-renewable temporary permit to practice nursing. The non-renewable temporary permit allows the graduate to practice as a Nursing Graduate-PN Program (NG-PNP) or Nursing Graduate-RN Program (NG-RNP), with stipulations. Prior to the receipt of the temporary permit, the nursing graduate cannot work in an employment classification that requires a nursing license, including participation in nursing orientation. The graduate without a temporary permit or license is classified as unlicensed and must follow the policies and procedures for unlicensed personnel in the agency/facility. Nursing procedures and activities that are permitted in the nursing education program under the direct supervision of nursing faculty are not allowed in the workplace. The regulation concerning this question is found in the ABN Administrative Code Chapter 610-X-4-.04(5), which states: “A first-time applicant for licensure by examination may request a nonrenewable temporary permit to practice nursing.

1. The temporary permit is valid for a time period determined by the Board.
2. The temporary permit allows the applicant for licensure by examination to practice and use the title Nursing Graduate-PN Program (NG-PNP) or Nursing Graduate-RN Program (NG-RNP), as appropriate subject to the following stipulations:
   1. The Nursing Graduate must function under direct supervision of a currently licensed registered nurse.
   2. The Nursing Graduate shall not assume nor be assigned charge responsibilities.
3. A temporary permit issued by the Board to an applicant for licensure by examination shall immediately become invalid if one of the following conditions is met:
   1. The applicant fails the licensing examination.
   2. The permit expires on the expiration date.
   3. A license is issued.
   4. The applicant is denied licensure.
4. The applicant who receives a temporary permit is required to:
   1. Provide every employer the temporary permit for visual inspection.
   2. Notify to their employer validation of a current license upon receipt of the official licensure notification.
   3. Inform the employer of denial of licensure.
   4. Immediately, inform the employer of failure of the licensing examination.
5. The Board shall issue notice of denial of licensure. Receipt of notice is presumed within five calendar days of mailing.”

As defined in the Alabama Board of Nursing Administrative Code, Chapter 610-X-4-.04(5bi)(5bii), the stipulations that impact the nursing graduate with a temporary permit include:

• The Nursing Graduate must function under direct supervision of a currently licensed registered nurse.
• The Nursing Graduate shall not assume nor be assigned charge responsibilities.

Direct supervision is defined in ABN Administrative Code Chapter 610-X-6-.01(19) as “responsible licensed nurse physically present in facility and readily accessible to designate or prescribe a course of action or to give procedural guidance, direction, and periodic evaluation. Direct supervision by a registered nurse is required for new graduates practicing on a temporary permit.”

A temporary permit is active for one-hundred eighty (180) days, unless the permanent license is issued or the permit holder fails NCLEX®. You may check the status of a temporary permit on License Lookup.  Temporary permits are issued one time only.

The Alabama Board of Nursing Administrative Code regarding this is: Chapter 610-X-4-.16 Special Circumstances. For the first 30 days: An individual licensed to practice nursing in another state may provide emergency assistance in Alabama for up to thirty (30) days subject to verification of licensure in the state where licensed. Any organization or individual who provides employment or volunteer opportunities for the licensed nurse providing nursing services is responsible to assure the validity of the nursing license. Beyond 30 days: Should an emergency continue past thirty days, a temporary permit to practice nursing in Alabama for 90 days is required.

The Alabama Board of Nursing Administrative Code regarding this is: Chapter 610-X-4-.16 Special Circumstances. Any individual licensed to practice nursing in another state is required to have an Alabama license if educational or consultative services extend beyond 30 calendar days in one year.

The Alabama Board of Nursing Administrative Code regarding this is: Chapter 610-X-4-.16 Special Circumstances. In the event of a national emergency duly declared by Federal officials or in the event of a natural disaster or state of emergency duly proclaimed by the Governor, a certified registered nurse practitioner or certified nurse midwife may provide emergency treatment without immediate physician collaboration to patients within the affected areas of the state, provided that the treatment is within the affected areas of the state, provided that the treatment is within the individual’s scope of education, training and approved protocol. The certified registered nurse practitioner or certified nurse midwife in such circumstance shall make reasonable efforts to inform the collaborating physician and the location and type of emergency services being provided and shall act in conformance with the direction of local physicians. The authority granted under this paragraph shall extend only for the duration of the declared national emergency or state emergency or natural disaster.

A nurse who has been disciplined by a Board of Nursing may be excluded from Medicare. To conduct a free search for exclusions, go to exclusions.oig.hhs.gov.