ASBN Edition 49 : Page 4
Executive Director’s Message Sue A. Tedford, MNSc, rN Are You Like Linus? We have all read the Peanuts cartoon and know how attached Linus is to his blanket. Many nurses feel the same way about their nursing license. Marilyn Ferguson said, “Change causes us to feel like Linus when his blanket is in the dryer. There’s nothing to hold on to.” Change is easier to accept when you know why and how it is going to happen, so allow me to share that information with you. THE CHANGE: Historically, nurses have carried their license as proof they are a nurse and have a current license. When you are hired for a new job or renew your license, your employer asks for a copy of the license for your personnel file. The wallet card only proves your license status on the day it was issued. Unfortunately, a lot can happen to a nursing license during the two-year period, such as disciplinary action and change to or from a multi-state license. Relying on the paper license puts the employer at risk for allowing a nurse to work without a valid license. Paper licenses are subject to fraud, loss and theft. Starting July 1, 2011, the Arkansas State Board of Nursing will join many other states in the move to eliminate paper licenses. THE WHY: Protection of the public is the mission of the Board, and we integrate the mission into all Board activities. Today’s advanced technology makes life convenient for everyone and provides access to the world 24/7. However, this advanced technology causes concern over security of personal information. The paper license can be duplicated with little difficulty. This puts the public at risk, as well as the nurse and employer. The elimination of paper licenses will benefit the nurse, the public and the Board in the following ways: • Enhancing the protection of the nurse and the public • Reducing the risk of identity theft • Providing employers faster access to disciplinary action • Primary source verification as required by various organizations • Cost savings to the Board THE HOW: Beginning July 1, 2011, all newly licensed nurses and nurses who renew between July 1, 2011, and June 30, 2013, will receive a one-time issued plastic wallet card. The only information on the card will be the nurse’s name and address, license type and number, and original date of issue. Since the license status is no longer on the license, employers will be required to verify the license status on the ASBN Registry at www.arsbn.org. The ASBN Registry is considered primary source verification. As part of this change, temporary permits in the form of a paper wallet card will no longer be issued. Temporary permit information is available on the ASBN Registry the day after the permit is issued. When a temporary permit becomes expired or null and void, a notification will be “pushed” via e-mail to the employer if the employer subscribes to the Registry. The Registry is updated daily and reflects the most up-to-date information available. You can search the Registry by name or license number and searching is free of charge. The information available for free on the registry search has changed and includes the nurse’s name, license type, license number, multi-or single-state, original issue date, expiration date, and disciplinary flag. The subscription services are still available and provide additional information, as well as push specific data to employers. You will not have a new paper wallet card every two years, but you are still a nurse. Don’t stress out like Linus; embrace the change. 4 501.686.2700
Executive Director’s Message
Sue A. Tedford, MNSc, rN<br /> <br /> Are You Like Linus?<br /> <br /> We have all read the Peanuts cartoon and know how attached Linus is to his blanket. Many nurses feel the same way about their nursing license. Marilyn Ferguson said, “Change causes us to feel like Linus when his blanket is in the dryer. There’s nothing to hold on to.” Change is easier to accept when you know why and how it is going to happen, so allow me to share that information with you.<br /> <br /> THE CHANGE: Historically, nurses have carried their license as proof they are a nurse and have a current license. When you are hired for a new job or renew your license, your employer asks for a copy of the license for your personnel file. The wallet card only proves your license status on the day it was issued. Unfortunately, a lot can happen to a nursing license during the two-year period, such as disciplinary action and change to or from a multi-state license. Relying on the paper license puts the employer at risk for allowing a nurse to work without a valid license. Paper licenses are subject to fraud, loss and theft. Starting July 1, 2011, the Arkansas State Board of Nursing will join many other states in the move to eliminate paper licenses.<br /> <br /> THE WHY: Protection of the public is the mission of the Board, and we integrate the mission into all Board activities. Today’s advanced technology makes life convenient for everyone and provides access to the world 24/7. However, this advanced technology causes concern over security of personal information. The paper license can be duplicated with little difficulty. This puts the public at risk, as well as the nurse and employer.<br /> <br /> The elimination of paper licenses will benefit the nurse, the public and the Board in the following ways:<br /> <br /> • Enhancing the protection of the nurse and the public<br /> <br /> • Reducing the risk of identity theft<br /> <br /> • Providing employers faster access to disciplinary action<br /> <br /> • Primary source verification as required by various organizations<br /> <br /> • Cost savings to the Board<br /> <br /> THE HOW: Beginning July 1, 2011, all newly licensed nurses and nurses who renew between July 1, 2011, and June 30, 2013, will receive a one-time issued plastic wallet card. The only information on the card will be the nurse’s name and address, license type and number, and original date of issue. Since the license status is no longer on the license, employers will be required to verify the license status on the ASBN Registry at www.arsbn.org. The ASBN Registry is considered primary source verification.<br /> <br /> As part of this change, temporary permits in the form of a paper wallet card will no longer be issued. Temporary permit information is available on the ASBN Registry the day after the permit is issued. When a temporary permit becomes expired or null and void, a notification will be “pushed” via e-mail to the employer if the employer subscribes to the Registry.<br /> <br /> The Registry is updated daily and reflects the most up-to-date information available. You can search the Registry by name or license number and searching is free of charge. The information available for free on the registry search has changed and includes the nurse’s name, license type, license number, multi- or single-state, original issue date, expiration date, and disciplinary flag. The subscription services are still available and provide additional information, as well as push specific data to employers.<br /> <br /> You will not have a new paper wallet card every two years, but you are still a nurse. Don’t stress out like Linus; embrace the change.
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