Vermont Statutes
Chapter 28 - Nursing
§ 1574. Powers and duties

§ 1574. Powers and duties
(a) In addition to the powers granted by 3 V.S.A. § 129, the Board shall:
(1) Hold annual meetings at which it shall elect a chair, a vice chair, and a secretary from its members; and hold such other meetings as may be deemed necessary to transact its business.
(2) Adopt rules necessary to perform its duties under this chapter.
(3) Adopt rules setting standards for approval of medication nursing assistant and nursing education programs in Vermont, including all clinical facilities. The Board may require reimbursement for actual and necessary costs incurred for site surveys.
(A) After an opportunity for a hearing, the Board may deny or withdraw approval or take lesser action when a program fails to meet the rules requirements.
(B) The Board may reinstate a program whose approval has been denied or withdrawn when the Board is satisfied that deficiencies have been remedied and the requirements have been met.
(C) Standards for nursing education programs and clinical facilities shall:
(i) rely upon the standards of recognized national accrediting bodies without duplicating the function of those bodies;
(ii) call for the annual reporting of data, including graduation rates and examination pass rates, appropriate to verify that programs are capable of meeting national standards and sustaining responsible operation in the interests of the public; and
(iii) be waivable by the Director of Professional Regulation if the Director finds that a program has exhausted reasonable efforts to comply and that such waiver will not compromise a program’s educational integrity.
(4) [Repealed.]
(5) Adopt rules setting standards required for licensure as a nursing assistant, practical nurse, registered nurse, or advanced practice registered nurse, and for endorsement of those nurses in special areas of nursing practice that require additional education and experience.
(6) Examine, license, and renew the licenses of duly qualified applicants and keep a record of all persons currently licensed as nursing assistants, practical nurses, registered nurses, and advanced practice registered nurses.
(7) Adopt rules setting active practice requirements for licensure and renewal.
(8) Adopt rules for and approve education programs for the benefit of nurses who are reentering practice following a lapse of five or more years.
(9) Investigate complaints of unauthorized practice or unprofessional conduct or incompetency against any person and take proper action under section 1582 or 1584 of this chapter, as the case may be.
(10) Adopt rules establishing a program to serve as an alternative to the disciplinary process for nurses and nursing assistants with chemical dependencies or other professional practice issues as designated by the Board.
(b) In consultation with the Board, the Director of the Office of Professional Regulation may employ an Executive Director of the Board and contract for such persons as may be necessary to carry out the work of the Board. (Added 1979, No. 192 (Adj. Sess.), § 1; amended 1993, No. 201 (Adj. Sess.), § 1; 2007, No. 29, § 25; 2009, No. 103 (Adj. Sess.), § 10; 2015, No. 38, § 7, eff. May 28, 2015; 2019, No. 30, § 11; 2019, No. 178 (Adj. Sess.), § 7, eff. Oct. 1, 2020.)