According to a recent release from the Pennsylvania State Board of Nursing, all licensed RNs, LPNs, CRNPs, LDNs, and CNSs will be required to follow new reporting guidelines when it comes to criminal charges, convictions or disciplinary actions taken by other states or jurisdictions.
Effective Oct. 17, RNs, LPNs, CRNPs, LDNs, and CNSs MUST notify the State Board of Nursing of the following:
- Pending criminal charges
- Criminal convictions (including a guilty plea, conviction following a trial, probation without verdict and Accelerated Rehabilitative Disposition)
- Disciplinary actions taken by other states/jurisdictions
Pending criminal charges and criminal convictions MUST be reported within 30 days of the action. Discipline taken against a license in other states/jurisdictions MUST be reported within 90 days.
Notification should be made online here.
As part of that notification, licensees will be able to upload relevant documents. Licensees who do not have internet access should mail the notification and supporting documentation to the State Board of Nursing office:
Failure to make a timely report may result in the imposition of a disciplinary sanction.
A copy of this regulation can be found in the Pennsylvania Bulletin.
For more information, contact the Pennsylvania State Board of Nursing at (717) 783-7142 or at ST-NURSE@pa.gov.