Virginia Law

Article 1. Board of Nursing.

As used in this chapter, unless the context requires a different meaning:

"Advanced practice registered nurse" means a certified nurse midwife, certified registered nurse anesthetist, clinical nurse specialist, or nurse practitioner who is jointly licensed by the Boards of Medicine and Nursing pursuant to § 54.1-2957, has completed an advanced graduate-level education program in a specialty category of nursing, and has passed a national certifying examination for that specialty.

"Board" means the Board of Nursing.

"Certified nurse aide" means a person who meets the qualifications specified in this article and who is currently certified by the Board.

"Massage therapist" means a person who meets the qualifications specified in this chapter and who is currently licensed by the Board.

"Massage therapy" means the treatment of soft tissues for therapeutic purposes by the application of massage and bodywork techniques based on the manipulation or application of pressure to the muscular structure or soft tissues of the human body. The term "massage therapy" does not include the diagnosis or treatment of illness or disease or any service or procedure for which a license to practice medicine, nursing, midwifery, chiropractic, physical therapy, occupational therapy, acupuncture, athletic training, or podiatry is required by law or any service described in subdivision A 18 of § 54.1-3001.

"Massage therapy" shall not include manipulation of the spine or joints.

"Nurse practitioner" means an advanced practice registered nurse who is jointly licensed by the Boards of Medicine and Nursing pursuant to § 54.1-2957.

"Practical nurse" or "licensed practical nurse" means a person who is licensed or holds a multistate licensure privilege under the provisions of this chapter to practice practical nursing as defined in this section. Such a licensee shall be empowered to provide nursing services without compensation. The abbreviation "L.P.N." shall stand for such terms.

"Practical nursing" or "licensed practical nursing" means the performance for compensation of selected nursing acts in the care of individuals or groups who are ill, injured, or experiencing changes in normal health processes; in the maintenance of health; in the prevention of illness or disease; or, subject to such regulations as the Board may promulgate, in the teaching of those who are or will be nurse aides. Practical nursing or licensed practical nursing requires knowledge, judgment and skill in nursing procedures gained through prescribed education. Practical nursing or licensed practical nursing is performed under the direction or supervision of a licensed medical practitioner, a professional nurse, registered nurse or registered professional nurse or other licensed health professional authorized by regulations of the Board.

"Practice of a nurse aide" or "nurse aide practice" means the performance of services requiring the education, training, and skills specified in this chapter for certification as a nurse aide. Such services are performed under the supervision of a dentist, physician, podiatrist, professional nurse, licensed practical nurse, or other licensed health care professional acting within the scope of the requirements of his profession.

"Professional nurse," "registered nurse" or "registered professional nurse" means a person who is licensed or holds a multistate licensure privilege under the provisions of this chapter to practice professional nursing as defined in this section. Such a licensee shall be empowered to provide professional services without compensation, to promote health and to teach health to individuals and groups. The abbreviation "R.N." shall stand for such terms.

"Professional nursing," "registered nursing" or "registered professional nursing" means the performance for compensation of any nursing acts in the observation, care and counsel of individuals or groups who are ill, injured or experiencing changes in normal health processes or the maintenance of health; in the prevention of illness or disease; in the supervision and teaching of those who are or will be involved in nursing care; in the delegation of selected nursing tasks and procedures to appropriately trained unlicensed persons as determined by the Board; or in the administration of medications and treatments as prescribed by any person authorized by law to prescribe such medications and treatment. Professional nursing, registered nursing and registered professional nursing require specialized education, judgment, and skill based upon knowledge and application of principles from the biological, physical, social, behavioral and nursing sciences.

Code 1950, § 54-326; 1970, c. 116, § 54-367.2; 1988, cc. 580, 765; 1989, cc. 7, 278; 1990, c. 104; 1996, c. 166; 1998, c. 458; 2004, c. 49; 2012, c. 213; 2016, cc. 83, 93, 324; 2021, Sp. Sess. I, c. 157; 2023, c. 183.

A. This chapter shall not apply to the following:

1. The furnishing of nursing assistance in an emergency;

2. The practice of nursing, which is prescribed as part of a study program, by nursing students enrolled in nursing education programs approved by the Board or by graduates of approved nursing education programs for a period not to exceed ninety days following successful completion of the nursing education program pending the results of the licensing examination, provided proper application and fee for licensure have been submitted to the Board and unless the graduate fails the licensing examination within the 90-day period;

3. The practice of any legally qualified nurse of another state who is employed by the United States government while in the discharge of his official duties;

4. The practice of nursing by a nurse who holds a current unrestricted license in another state, the District of Columbia, a United States possession or territory, or who holds a current unrestricted license in Canada and whose training was obtained in a nursing school in Canada where English was the primary language, for a period of 30 days pending licensure in Virginia, if the nurse, upon employment, has furnished the employer satisfactory evidence of current licensure and submits proper application and fees to the Board for licensure before, or within 10 days after, employment. At the discretion of the Board, additional time may be allowed for nurses currently licensed in another state, the District of Columbia, a United States possession or territory, or Canada who are in the process of attaining the qualification for licensure in this Commonwealth;

5. The practice of nursing by any registered nurse who holds a current unrestricted license in another state, the District of Columbia, or a United States possession or territory, or a nurse who holds an equivalent credential in a foreign country, while enrolled in an advanced professional nursing program requiring clinical practice. This exemption extends only to clinical practice required by the curriculum;

6. The practice of nursing by any nurse who holds a current unrestricted license in another state, the District of Columbia, or a United States possession or territory and is employed to provide care to any private individual while such private individual is traveling through or temporarily staying, as defined in the Board's regulations, in the Commonwealth;

7. General care of the sick by nursing assistants, companions or domestic servants that does not constitute the practice of nursing as defined in this chapter;

8. The care of the sick when done solely in connection with the practice of religious beliefs by the adherents and which is not held out to the public to be licensed practical or professional nursing;

9. Any employee of a school board, authorized by a prescriber and trained in the administration of insulin and glucagon, when, upon the authorization of a prescriber and the written request of the parents as defined in § 22.1-1, assisting with the administration of insulin or administrating glucagon to a student diagnosed as having diabetes and who requires insulin injections during the school day or for whom glucagon has been prescribed for the emergency treatment of hypoglycemia;

10. The practice of nursing by any nurse who is a graduate of a foreign nursing school and has met the credential, language, and academic testing requirements of the Commission on Graduates of Foreign Nursing Schools for a period not to exceed ninety days from the date of approval of an application submitted to the Board when such nurse is working as a nonsupervisory staff nurse in a licensed nursing home or certified nursing facility. During such ninety-day period, such nurse shall take and pass the licensing examination to remain eligible to practice nursing in Virginia; no exemption granted under this subdivision shall be extended;

11. The practice of nursing by any nurse rendering free health care to an underserved population in Virginia who (i) does not regularly practice nursing in Virginia, (ii) holds a current valid license or certification to practice nursing in another state, territory, district or possession of the United States, (iii) volunteers to provide free health care to an underserved area of this Commonwealth under the auspices of a publicly supported all volunteer, nonprofit organization that sponsors the provision of health care to populations of underserved people, (iv) files a copy of the license or certification issued in such other jurisdiction with the Board, (v) notifies the Board at least five business days prior to the voluntary provision of services of the dates and location of such service, and (vi) acknowledges, in writing, that such licensure exemption shall only be valid, in compliance with the Board's regulations, during the limited period that such free health care is made available through the volunteer, nonprofit organization on the dates and at the location filed with the Board. The Board may deny the right to practice in Virginia to any nurse whose license or certificate has been previously suspended or revoked, who has been convicted of a felony or who is otherwise found to be in violation of applicable laws or regulations. However, the Board shall allow a nurse who meets the above criteria to provide volunteer services without prior notice for a period of up to three days, provided the nonprofit organization verifies that the practitioner has a valid, unrestricted license in another state;

12. Any person performing state or federally funded health care tasks directed by the consumer, which are typically self-performed, for an individual who lives in a private residence and who, by reason of disability, is unable to perform such tasks but who is capable of directing the appropriate performance of such tasks;

13. The practice of nursing by any nurse who holds a current unrestricted license from another state, the District of Columbia or a United States possession or territory, while such nurse is in the Commonwealth temporarily and is practicing nursing in a summer camp or in conjunction with clients who are participating in specified recreational or educational activities;

14. The practice of massage therapy that is an integral part of a program of study by a student enrolled in a massage therapy educational program under the direction of a licensed massage therapist. Any student enrolled in a massage therapy educational program shall be identified as a "Student Massage Therapist" and shall deliver massage therapy under the supervision of an appropriate clinical instructor recognized by the educational program;

15. The practice of massage therapy by a massage therapist licensed or certified in good standing in another state, the District of Columbia, or another country, while such massage therapist is volunteering at a sporting or recreational event or activity, is responding to a disaster or emergency declared by the appropriate authority, is travelling with an out-of-state athletic team or an athlete for the duration of the athletic tournament, game, or event in which the team or athlete is competing, or is engaged in educational seminars;

16. Any person providing services related to the domestic care of any family member or household member so long as that person does not offer, hold out, or claim to be a massage therapist;

17. Any health care professional licensed or certified under this title for which massage therapy is a component of his practice; or

18. Any individual who provides stroking of the hands, feet, or ears or the use of touch, words, and directed movement, including healing touch, therapeutic touch, mind-body centering, orthobionomy, traeger therapy, reflexology, polarity therapy, reiki, qigong, muscle activation techniques, or practices with the primary purpose of affecting energy systems of the human body.

B. Notwithstanding any provision of law or regulation to the contrary, military medical personnel, as defined in § 2.2-2001.4, while participating in a program established by the Department of Veterans Services pursuant to § 2.2-2001.4, may practice under the supervision of a licensed physician or podiatrist or the chief medical officer of an organization participating in such program. The chief medical officer of an organization participating in a program established pursuant to § 2.2-2001.4 may, in consultation with the chief nursing officer of such organization, designate a registered nurse licensed by the Board or practicing with a multistate licensure privilege to supervise military personnel participating in a program established pursuant to § 2.2-2001.4 in the practice of nursing.

Code 1950, § 54-362; 1970, c. 116; 1982, c. 598, § 54-367.36; 1988, c. 765; 1994, cc. 58, 103; 1996, c. 388; 1999, c. 570; 2001, cc. 244, 251; 2002, cc. 713, 740; 2008, c. 674; 2010, c. 245; 2012, cc. 117, 178; 2016, c. 324; 2018, cc. 69, 338.

The Board of Nursing shall consist of 14 members as follows: eight registered nurses, at least two of whom are licensed advanced practice registered nurses; two licensed practical nurses; three citizen members; and one member who shall be a registered nurse or a licensed practical nurse. The terms of office of the Board shall be four years.

The Board shall meet at least annually and shall elect officers from its membership. It may hold such other meetings as may be necessary to perform its duties. A majority of the Board including one of its officers shall constitute a quorum for the conduct of business at any meeting. Special meetings of the Board shall be called by the administrative officer upon written request of two members.

The Board shall have an administrative officer who shall be a registered nurse.

Code 1950, §§ 54-327, 54-328, 54-336, 54-341, 54-342; 1960, c. 61; 1968, c. 337, § 54-367.12; 1970, c. 116, § 54-367.10; 1975, c. 106, §§ 54-367.3, 54-367.4; 1979, c. 5; 1980, c. 728; 1982, c. 598; 1986, c. 464; 1988, c. 765; 1993, c. 404; 2008, c. 34; 2016, c. 105; 2019, c. 169; 2023, c. 183.

A. Each professional nurse appointed to the Board shall:

1. Be a citizen of the United States of America;

2. Be a resident of this Commonwealth;

3. Have been graduated from an educational program approved by a state board of nursing;

4. Be licensed in this Commonwealth as a registered nurse;

5. Have had at least five years' experience in nursing, nursing administration or teaching in a nursing education program; and

6. Have been actively engaged in professional nursing in this Commonwealth for at least three years preceding appointment or reappointment.

B. Each licensed practical nurse appointed to the Board shall:

1. Be a citizen of the United States of America;

2. Be a resident of this Commonwealth;

3. Have been graduated from a high school or the equivalent;

4. Have been graduated from a practical nursing program approved by a state board of nursing;

5. Be licensed in this Commonwealth as a practical nurse;

6. Have had at least five years' experience in nursing; and

7. Have been actively engaged in practical nursing in this Commonwealth for at least three years preceding appointment or reappointment.

Code 1950, § 54-333; 1970, c. 116; 1985, c. 305, § 54-367.9; 1988, c. 765.

Nominations may be made for each professional vacancy from lists of three names, submitted to the Governor by incorporated nurses associations. The Governor may notify such organizations of any professional vacancy other than by expiration. In no case shall the Governor be bound to make any appointment from among the nominees.

1986, c. 464, § 54-367.4:1; 1988, c. 765.

In addition to the general powers and duties conferred in this title, the Board shall have the following specific powers and duties:

1. To prescribe minimum standards and approve curricula for educational programs preparing persons for licensure, certification, or registration under this chapter;

2. To approve programs that meet the requirements of this chapter and of the Board;

3. To provide consultation service for educational programs as requested;

4. To provide for periodic surveys of educational or training programs;

5. To deny or withdraw approval from educational or training programs for failure to meet prescribed standards;

6. To provide consultation regarding nursing practice for institutions and agencies as requested and investigate illegal nursing practices;

7. To keep a record of all its proceedings;

8. To certify and maintain a registry of all certified nurse aides and to promulgate regulations consistent with federal law and regulation. The Board shall require all schools to demonstrate their compliance with § 54.1-3006.2 upon application for approval or reapproval, during an on-site visit, or in response to a complaint or a report of noncompliance. The Board may impose a fee pursuant to § 54.1-2401 for any violation thereof. Such regulations may include standards for the authority of licensed practical nurses to teach nurse aides;

9. To maintain a registry of clinical nurse specialists and to promulgate regulations governing clinical nurse specialists;

10. To license and maintain a registry of all licensed massage therapists and to promulgate regulations governing the criteria for licensure as a massage therapist and the standards of professional conduct for licensed massage therapists;

11. To promulgate regulations for the delegation of certain nursing tasks and procedures not involving assessment, evaluation or nursing judgment to an appropriately trained unlicensed person by and under the supervision of a registered nurse, who retains responsibility and accountability for such delegation;

12. To develop and revise as may be necessary, in coordination with the Boards of Medicine and Education, guidelines for the training of employees of a school board in the administration of insulin and glucagon for the purpose of assisting with routine insulin injections and providing emergency treatment for life-threatening hypoglycemia. The first set of such guidelines shall be finalized by September 1, 1999, and shall be made available to local school boards for a fee not to exceed the costs of publication;

13. To enter into the Nurse Licensure Compact as set forth in this chapter and to promulgate regulations for its implementation;

14. To collect, store and make available nursing workforce information regarding the various categories of nurses certified, licensed or registered pursuant to § 54.1-3012.1;

15. To expedite application processing, to the extent possible, pursuant to § 54.1-119 for an applicant for licensure or certification by the Board upon submission of evidence that the applicant, who is licensed or certified in another state, is relocating to the Commonwealth pursuant to a spouse's official military orders;

16. To register medication aides and promulgate regulations governing the criteria for such registration and standards of conduct for medication aides;

17. To approve training programs for medication aides to include requirements for instructional personnel, curriculum, continuing education, and a competency evaluation;

18. To set guidelines for the collection of data by all approved nursing education programs and to compile this data in an annual report. The data shall include but not be limited to enrollment, graduation rate, attrition rate, and number of qualified applicants who are denied admission;

19. To develop, in consultation with the Board of Pharmacy, guidelines for the training of employees of child day programs as defined in § 22.1-289.02 and regulated by the Board of Education in the administration of prescription drugs as defined in the Drug Control Act (§ 54.1-3400 et seq.). Such training programs shall be taught by a registered nurse, licensed practical nurse, doctor of medicine or osteopathic medicine, or pharmacist;

20. In order to protect the privacy and security of health professionals licensed, registered or certified under this chapter, to promulgate regulations permitting use on identification badges of first name and first letter only of last name and appropriate title when practicing in hospital emergency departments, in psychiatric and mental health units and programs, or in health care facility units offering treatment for patients in custody of state or local law-enforcement agencies;

21. To revise, as may be necessary, guidelines for seizure management, in coordination with the Board of Medicine, including the list of rescue medications for students with epilepsy and other seizure disorders in the public schools. The revised guidelines shall be finalized and made available to the Board of Education by August 1, 2010. The guidelines shall then be posted on the Department of Education's website; and

22. To promulgate, together with the Board of Medicine, regulations governing the licensure of advanced practice registered nurses pursuant to § 54.1-2957 and the licensure of licensed certified midwives pursuant to § 54.1-2957.04.

Code 1950, §§ 54-339, 54-343; 1970, c. 116; 1979, c. 5, § 54-367.11; 1982, c. 598; 1984, c. 734; 1988, c. 765; 1989, cc. 7, 278; 1990, c. 104; 1994, c. 778; 1996, c. 166; 1998, c. 458; 1999, cc. 570, 637; 2000, cc. 587, 701; 2004, c. 49; 2005, cc. 54, 610, 924; 2006, cc. 190, 686; 2009, c. 687; 2010, c. 188; 2012, cc. 213, 803, 835; 2016, cc. 83, 324; 2017, c. 105; 2019, c. 287; 2020, cc. 860, 861; 2021, Sp. Sess. I, cc. 200, 201; 2022, c. 677; 2023, c. 183.

The Board shall require each applicant for licensure as a practical nurse, registered nurse, or licensed massage therapist to submit fingerprints and provide personal descriptive information to be forwarded along with his fingerprints through the Central Criminal Records Exchange to the Federal Bureau of Investigation for the purpose of obtaining criminal history record information regarding the applicant. The cost of fingerprinting and the criminal history record search shall be paid by the applicant.

The Central Criminal Records Exchange shall forward the results of the state and federal criminal history record search to the Board, which shall be a governmental entity. If an applicant is denied licensure because of information appearing on his criminal history record and the applicant disputes the information upon which the denial was based, the Central Criminal Records Exchange shall, upon written request, furnish to the applicant the procedures for obtaining a copy of the criminal history record from the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Central Criminal Records Exchange. The information shall not be disseminated except as provided in this section.

2015, c. 307; 2016, c. 324.

The Board may appoint advisory committees consisting of three persons or more who are knowledgeable in the area of practice or education under consideration. Members of advisory committees shall not receive compensation, but shall receive reimbursement for travel and other actual and necessary expenses incurred in the performance of their duties.

Code 1950, §§ 54-339, 54-343; 1970, c. 116; 1979, c. 5, § 54-367.11; 1982, c. 598; 1984, c. 734; 1988, c. 765.

The Board of Education and the Board of Nursing, or their representatives, shall, at least annually, develop and revise as necessary an interagency agreement relating to the regulation of public school nursing education programs. This memorandum of understanding shall establish a framework for cooperation in order to achieve consistency in the regulation of such programs. The duties and responsibilities of the Department of Education and the Board of Nursing for public school practical nursing and nurse aide education programs shall be set forth in the agreement. The agreement shall include, but need not be limited to, core curricula for the programs; administrative and clerical activities such as exchange of mailing labels, participation in site visits, reporting requirements, and information for newsletters; review and revision of the curricula materials; participation in inservice activities and state conferences; opportunity to participate in and comment on revisions of any relevant regulations; and communication procedures between the two state agencies and with the local school divisions. The Director shall rely on the Board of Nursing for advice on and implementation of the agreement.

1991, c. 629.

All approved nurse aide education programs shall provide each student applying to or enrolled in such program with a copy of applicable Virginia law regarding criminal history records checks for employment in certain health care facilities, and a list of crimes which pose a barrier to such employment.

1999, c. 637.

The Board may refuse to admit a candidate to any examination, refuse to issue a license, certificate, or registration to any applicant and may suspend any license, certificate, registration, or multistate licensure privilege for a stated period or indefinitely, or revoke any license, certificate, registration, or multistate licensure privilege, or censure or reprimand any licensee, certificate holder, registrant, or multistate licensure privilege holder, or place him on probation for such time as it may designate for any of the following causes:

1. Fraud or deceit in procuring or attempting to procure a license, certificate, or registration;

2. Unprofessional conduct;

3. Willful or repeated violation of any of the provisions of this chapter;

4. Conviction of any felony or any misdemeanor involving moral turpitude;

5. Practicing in a manner contrary to the standards of ethics or in such a manner as to make his practice a danger to the health and welfare of patients or to the public;

6. Use of alcohol or drugs to the extent that such use renders him unsafe to practice, or any mental or physical illness rendering him unsafe to practice;

7. The denial, revocation, suspension or restriction of a license, certificate, registration, or multistate licensure privilege to practice in another state, the District of Columbia or a United States possession or territory; or

8. Abuse, negligent practice, or misappropriation of a patient's or resident's property.

Code 1950, § 54-353; 1970, c. 116; 1979, c. 5, § 54-367.32; 1982, c. 598; 1988, c. 765; 1989, c. 278; 2003, c. 249; 2005, cc. 610, 924.

A. It shall be a Class 1 misdemeanor for any person to:

1. Practice nursing under the authority of a license or record illegally or fraudulently obtained or signed or issued unlawfully or under fraudulent representation;

2. Practice nursing unless licensed to do so under the provisions of this chapter;

3. Knowingly employ an unlicensed person as a professional or practical nurse or knowingly permit an unlicensed person to represent himself as a professional or practical nurse;

4. Use in connection with his name any designation tending to imply that he is a professional nurse or a practical nurse unless duly licensed to practice under the provisions of this chapter;

5. Practice professional nursing or practical nursing during the time his license is suspended or revoked;

6. Conduct a nursing education program for the preparation of professional or practical nurses unless the program has been approved by the Board; or

7. Engage in the practice of massage therapy or hold himself out as practicing massage therapy unless he holds a license as a massage therapist issued by the Board.

B. The provisions of this section shall apply, mutatis mutandis, to persons holding a multistate licensure privilege to practice nursing.

Code 1950, § 54-359; 1970, c. 116; 1982, c. 598, § 54-367.35; 1988, c. 765; 1996, c. 166; 2004, c. 49; 2016, c. 324.

Repealed by Acts 2004, c. 64.

A. Every license issued under the provisions of this chapter shall be renewed biennially by such time as the Board may prescribe by regulation. The Board shall mail or send electronically a notice for renewal to every licensee, but the failure to receive such notice shall not excuse any licensee from the requirements for renewal. The person receiving such notice shall furnish the requested information and return the form to the Board with the renewal fee.

B. Any licensee who allows his license to lapse by failing to renew the license may be reinstated by the Board upon submission of satisfactory evidence that he is prepared to resume practice in a competent manner and upon payment of the fee.

C. Any person practicing nursing during the time his license has lapsed shall be considered an illegal practitioner and shall be subject to the penalties provided for violations of this chapter.

D. When the Board of Health has issued an emergency order pursuant to § 32.1-13, the Board may waive (i) the requirement for submission of a fee for renewal of a license or (ii) the requirement for submission of evidence satisfactory to the Board that a licensee whose license was allowed to lapse by failing to renew his license is prepared to resume practice in a competent manner for any person who held a valid, unrestricted, active license to practice nursing within the four-year period immediately prior to the application for renewal of such license.

Code 1950, § 54-352; 1956, c. 48; 1970, c. 116, § 54-367.25; 1974, c. 194; 1979, c. 5; 1982, c. 598; 1988, c. 765; 2018, c. 101; 2022, cc. 720, 753.

A. The Board may issue a restricted volunteer license to a registered or practical nurse who, within the past five years, held an unrestricted active license as a registered or practical nurse issued by the Board or another state, which was in good standing at the time the license expired or became inactive. Nurses holding a restricted volunteer license issued pursuant to this section shall only practice in public health or community free clinics that provide services to underserved populations.

B. An applicant for a restricted volunteer license shall submit an application on a form provided by the Board and attest that he will not receive remuneration directly or indirectly for providing nursing services.

C. A person holding a restricted volunteer license pursuant to this section shall not be required to complete continuing competency requirements for the first renewal of such license. For subsequent renewals, a nurse holding a restricted volunteer license shall be required to complete the continuing competency requirements required for renewal of an active license.

D. A restricted volunteer license issued pursuant to this section may be renewed biennially in accordance with the renewal schedule established in regulations promulgated by the Board.

E. The application and biennial renewal fee for restricted volunteer licenses pursuant to this section shall be one-half of the fee for an active license.

F. A nurse holding a restricted volunteer license issued pursuant to this section shall be subject to the provisions of this chapter and all regulations applicable to nurses practicing in the Commonwealth.

G. A restricted volunteer license shall only be valid in the Commonwealth and shall not confer any multistate licensure privilege.

2015, c. 522.

In addition to the fees authorized for licensure and renewal by § 54.1-2400, the Board is authorized to charge a fee not to exceed one dollar for the licensure of every practical nurse and registered nurse to be deposited in the Nursing Scholarship and Loan Repayment Fund established pursuant to § 54.1-3011.2. Such fees shall be used to fund scholarships established pursuant to subsection A of § 32.1-122.6:01.

1991, c. 669; 2000, cc. 240, 254.

A. There is hereby established the Nursing Scholarship and Loan Repayment Fund for the purpose of financing scholarships for (i) part-time and full-time students enrolled in or accepted for enrollment by nursing programs which will prepare such students, upon completion, for examination to be licensed by the Board as practical nurses or registered nurses and (ii) those registered nurses, licensed practical nurses, and certified nurse aides who agree to perform a period of nursing service in a Commonwealth long-term care facility pursuant to regulations promulgated by the Board of Health in cooperation with the Board.

B. The Fund shall be administered by the Board, in cooperation with the Director of the Department, and the scholarships shall be administered and awarded by the Board of Health pursuant to § 32.1-122.6:01. The Fund shall be maintained and administered separately from any other program or funds of the Board and the Department of Health Professions. No portion of the Fund shall be used for a purpose other than that described in this section and § 32.1-122.6:01. Any money remaining in the Fund at the end of a biennium, including amounts repaid by award recipients, and any interest thereon, shall not revert to the general fund or the funds of the Department of Health Professions, but shall remain in the Fund to be used only for the purposes of this section. In addition to any licensure fees that may be collected pursuant to § 54.1-3011.1, the Fund shall also include:

1. Any funds appropriated by the General Assembly for the purposes of the Fund; and

2. Any gifts, grants, or bequests received from any private person or organization.

Upon receiving the names of the scholarship and loan repayment program recipients from the Board of Health, the Board of Nursing shall be responsible for transmitting the funds to the appropriate institution to be credited to the account of the recipient.

1991, c. 669; 2000, cc. 240, 254; 2001, c. 188; 2002, c. 290.

In addition to other powers enumerated in this title, the Board may take those steps necessary to obtain recognition by the United States Secretary of Education as a reliable authority concerning the quality of education offered by educational institutions or programs in the area of practical nursing.

1986, c. 13, § 54-367.11:1; 1988, c. 765.

A. With such funds as are appropriated for this purpose, and consistent with the provisions of § 54.1-2506.1, the Board shall collect, store, and make available nursing workforce information regarding the various categories of nurses certified, licensed or registered under the provisions of this chapter. In addition to appropriated funds, the Board may also accept donations or grants from private sources in addition to any licensure or certification fee to any certified, licensed or registered nurse to carry out the provisions of this section. The information to be collected on nurses shall include, but not be limited to: (i) demographic data; (ii) level of education; (iii) employment status; (iv) employment setting such as in a hospital, physician's office, or nursing home; (v) geographic location of employment; (vi) type of nursing position or area of specialty; and (vii) number of hours worked per week. Such information shall be collected and updated biennially, and shall be published, in aggregate form and in a format accessible to the public, on the Department of Health Professions website. However, the Board may release information that identifies specific individuals for the purpose of determining shortage designations and to qualified personnel if pertinent to an investigation, research, or study, provided a written agreement between such qualified personnel and the Department, which ensures that any person to whom such identities are divulged shall preserve the confidentiality of such identities, is executed.

B. The Board shall promulgate regulations to implement the provisions of this section. Such regulations shall include: (i) the specific number and types of nursing workforce data elements to be collected; (ii) the process by which the information is collected, stored, and made available to interested parties; (iii) provisions to ensure the confidentiality of the data to be collected and to protect the identity of all individuals submitting information; and (iv) other provisions as determined by the Board.

2000, cc. 587, 701; 2002, c. 333; 2008, c. 373; 2009, c. 382.

An institution desiring to conduct a nursing education program to prepare professional or practical nurses shall apply to the Board and submit evidence that:

1. It is prepared to meet the minimum standards prescribed by the Board for either a professional nursing curriculum or a practical nursing curriculum; and

2. It is prepared to meet such other standards as may be established by law or by the Board.

A survey of the institution and its entire nursing education program shall be made by the administrative officer or other authorized employee of the Board, who shall submit a written report of the survey to the Board. If, in the opinion of the Board, the requirements necessary for approval are met, it shall be approved as a nursing education program for professional or practical nurses.

New nursing education programs shall not be established or conducted unless approved by the Board.

Code 1950, §§ 54-355, 54-357; 1970, c. 116, §§ 54-367.27, 54-367.29; 1988, c. 765; 1989, c. 7; 2016, c. 83.

In the exercise of its authority to establish minimum standards for professional nursing curricula and practical nursing curricula, the Board of Nursing, on and after July 1, 2007, shall require that approved nursing education programs provide instruction in child abuse recognition and intervention.

2006, c. 528.

A. The Board shall, through its administrative officer or other authorized representative, survey all nursing education programs in the Commonwealth as necessary. Written reports of such surveys shall be submitted to the Board. If the Board determines that any approved nursing education program is not maintaining the required standards, notice in writing specifying the deficiencies shall be immediately given to the institution conducting the program.

B. Following an informal fact-finding proceeding held pursuant to § 2.2-4019, at which the Board places a program on conditional approval with terms and conditions that include a restriction on enrollment in a nursing education program:

1. The Board shall state in its order or decision letter the specific violations of law or regulation and the factual basis for each violation with sufficient specificity to inform the program of the basis for the decision so that the nursing education program may take corrective steps to address any identified violations.

2. A program subject to any term or condition set forth in an order or decision letter entered by the Board that constitutes a restriction on enrollment for a nursing education program shall have 30 days from the entry of the Board's order or decision letter to request a formal hearing pursuant to § 2.2-4020, and any term or condition restricting enrollment shall be stayed upon receipt of such request within 30 days from the Board's entry of its order or the decision letter. If a nursing education program does not request a formal hearing as provided in this section within 30 days of the entry of the Board's order or decision letter, the term or condition that constitutes a restriction on enrollment in a nursing education program shall be effective immediately.

3. Following a formal hearing held pursuant to § 2.2-4020, the order or decision letter of the Board shall identify the factual basis of any finding that the nursing education program's information presented at the formal hearing was insufficient to demonstrate compliance with the law or regulations of the Board.

4. If an order of the Board entered following a formal hearing held pursuant to § 2.2-4020 provides that the program is to continue on conditional approval with terms or conditions involving a restriction on enrollment, the program shall be advised of the right to appeal the order or decision letter to the appropriate circuit court in accordance with § 2.2-4026 and Part 2A of the Rules of the Supreme Court of Virginia.

5. Any restriction on enrollment shall be limited to one year.

Following the expiration of the restriction on enrollment, if the Board determines that the specific violations that led to the restriction on enrollment have not been remedied, it shall provide the nursing education program with written notice pursuant to § 2.2-4019 to appear for an informal fact-finding proceeding with an opportunity to present evidence of compliance before the Board.

C. A program that fails to correct these deficiencies to the satisfaction of the Board within a reasonable time shall be discontinued after a hearing in which such facts are established.

D. The Board shall provide to a nursing education program any written complaint or written summary of a verbal complaint related to the program when any administrative request for information is initiated or subpoena issued.

E. In addition to the program director, a nursing education program may designate one or more persons with whom the Board shall communicate for purposes of providing official notices, obtaining information, and responding to requests for information regarding the nursing education program; such persons need not be licensed nurses and need not maintain their primary place of business at the same address as the nursing education program.

Code 1950, § 54-358; 1970, c. 116, § 54-367.28; 1988, c. 765; 2012, c. 644.

Any person licensed as a certified tuberculosis nurse to perform duties as prescribed by the State Board of Examiners of Nurses, now known as the Board of Nursing, on July 1, 1970, shall continue to be so licensed unless his license is suspended or revoked in accordance with the provisions of this chapter.

1970, c. 116, § 54-367.30; 1982, c. 598; 1988, c. 765.