AN ACT relating to nursing.
     Amend KRS 314.011 to add a definition of "clinical internship"; amend KRS 314.041 to require applicants for licensure as a registered nurse to complete a clinical internship within six (6) months of being granted a provisional licensure, require the internship to be at least one hundred twenty (120) hours in length, authorize the board to extend the time period for meeting the internship requirements, authorize the board to promulgate administrative regulation establishing the standards and procedures related to the internship; permit graduates of a prelicensure registered nurse program who have not successfully completed the licensure examination for registered nurses to be eligible to take the examination for licensed practical nurses upon completion of a board-approved practical nursing role delineation course; permit a graduate of a prelicensure registered nurse program who holds a practical nurse license from another jurisdiction to apply for a licensure as a licensed practical nurse by endorsement; amend KRS 314.051 to require applicants for licensure as a practical nurse to complete a clinical internship; authorize the board to promulgate administrative regulations establishing the standards and procedures related to the internship; amend KRS 314.089 to delete language authorizing the board, in cases where disciplinary action is imposed, to order that a temporary suspension continue in effect until the later of expiration of the time permitted for appeal or termination of the appellate process; amend KRS 314.091 to permit the board to take disciplinary action when a licensee, credential holder, or applicant has been convicted of any felony or a misdemeanor involving drugs, alcohol, fraud, deceit, falsification of records, a breach of trust, physical harm or endangerment to others, or dishonesty, under the laws of any state or of the United States; amend KRS 314.101 to discontinue the issuance of temporary work permits to new graduates of an approved school of nursing or nurses educated outside of the United States; amend KRS 314.131 to delete the requirement that the executive director of the board meet certain qualifications; and require that the amendments requiring nursing applicants to complete a clinical internship take effect on January 1, 2005.

     Jan 7-introduced in House
     Jan 8-to Health and Welfare (H)
     Feb 11-posted in committee
     Feb 13-reported favorably, 1st reading, to Calendar with Committee Substitute
     Feb 14-2nd reading, to Rules
     Feb 21-posted for passage in the Regular Orders of the Day for Monday, February 24, 2003
     Feb 25-3rd reading, passed 94-1 with Committee Substitute
     Feb 26-received in Senate
     Feb 27-to Licensing, Occupations & Administrative Regulations (S)
     Mar 4-reported favorably, 1st reading, to Consent Calendar
     Mar 5-2nd reading, to Rules