Where (what state/territory) do you intend to become licensed by examination, and is this a Nurse Licensure Compact state?
I intend to become licensed by examination in the state of Maine. I chose to stay in Maine because this state is where I was born and raised. I love the idea of staying here because all of my family lives in northern Maine, and this location would allow for me to be able to go and visit them often. Staying close to my family is important to me as I have 3 very young nieces and nephews, and I want to be close enough where I can still be apart of their lives as they grow up. When doing some research I found that Maine is one of the states that’s on the NLC list.
2. How is the application completed and submitted (web-based, manual/paper-based, or either), and does the application you are filing require official transcripts, verification sign-off by the director of the program, or both?
In Maine, there seems to be an option to apply online, which costs $75. It does note that applicants who are applying online must upload a signature page that has a manual signature as electronic signatures will not be accepted. Applicants need to be able to provide proof of legal residency in Maine – including divers license number, voter registration, car registration, tax forms, and validation of residence. Applicants will also need the school to provide a signature on a specific sheet, school certification, criminal background check, and their SSN.
https://www.maine.gov/boardofnursing/docs/RN_Exam_Licensure_Requirements_.pdf
3. Does the state where you intend to become licensed require criminal background checks and/or fingerprinting? If so, what is the process?
Yes, all applicants in Maine are required to have a fingerprint-based criminal background check done. All background checks must go through the vendor IdentoGO, and cost $52. On the maine.gov website, it explains that fingerprints will be taken electronically through a Livescan digital fingerprint machine. There are slightly different directions for applicants who are outside Maine applicants, but this does not apply to me. On the website, it also notes that results usually take around 48-72 hours to get back and can be viewed on MSBON.
https://www.maine.gov/boardofnursing/docs/Criminal_Background_Checks_(Revised_9-5-2019).pdf
4. Reflecting on presentations from the Attorney General’s Office and the Medical Professionals Health Program, consider the following:
a. Describe any provisions for impaired nurses in the state where you intend to become licensed as described on or linked from the State Board of Nursing website, including any mandatory reporting requirements for suspected impairment, disciplinary measures, and resources for recovery.
If a nurse would like to send a complaint regarding the unprofessional conduct of a licensed nurse, they are to write a letter with all the information and sufficient details and send it to, Maine State Board of Nursing, 158 State House Station, Augusta, ME o4333-0158. This website page also includes all of the information that should be included in the letter. There is also a whole other page on the maine.gov website that talks about the role of mandated reporting, and what actions should be taken per incident.
https://www.maine.gov/boardofnursing/discipline/health-security-act-reporting.html
b. Some of the most commonly occurring legal issues that impact nursing and nursing practice relate to informed consent and refusing treatment, licensure, the safeguarding of clients’ personal possessions and valuables, malpractice, negligence, mandatory reporting, abuse, and unsafe practices. How will you protect yourself and your license from these legal issues?
To start, I will be sure to have a strong understanding of my scope of practice. I feel that with a strong understanding of my scope of practice, I will be able to avoid a lot of these legal issues, therefore being able to keep myself and my license safe. I will also be sure to always report any mistakes that I make, even if they are small mistakes. It’s better to report a mistake than to try and keep it a secret and fix it. By reporting a mistake it allows the proper people to take action and assess the situation and apply standards to help prevent the mistake from happening again. I will also be sure to read all guidelines and protocols for the facility that I end up working at to be sure that I am doing everything correctly.
Natalie, what provisions does the Maine Board of Nursing have to support recovery of impaired nurses?