Standards of Conduct for Advanced Practice Registered Nurses (APRNs)

In addition to the Standards of Conduct set forth in 244 CMR 9.03(1) through (47), the standards set forth in 244 CMR 9.04(1) through (6) shall govern all nurses granted APRN authorization by the Board. An APRN’s failure to comply with the Standards of Conduct for Advanced Practice Registered Nurses may serve as the basis for disciplinary action against the APRN’s authorization in accordance with M.G.L. c. 112, §§ 61 and 74. Such failure may also serve as the basis for disciplinary action against the APRN’s Registered Nurse license. Preparation and Competency. An APRN shall practice only in the category of advanced practice registered nursing for which the Board has authorized him or her. The APRN’s clinical practice shall include only those areas of practice for which the APRN has formal, advanced nursing education and documented competency. Such formal, advanced nursing education shall meet the criteria for education in nursing as specified in 244 CMR 4.00: Advanced Practice Registered Nursing. (2) Practice following Loss of Authorization. An APRN shall not engage in advanced practice registered nursing, or in any way represent that he or she is authorized to engage in such practice, after the effective date of the surrender, suspension, or revocation of such authorization by the Board, or after the voluntary relinquishment of such authorization to the Board. (3) Controlled Substance Registrations. An APRN who is an authorized prescriber shall: (a) comply with 244 CMR 4.00: Advanced Practice Registered Nursing governing prescriptive practice by an APRN and with all federal and state laws and regulations governing prescriptive practice and the handling of controlled substances; and (b) notify the Board in writing of any surrender, suspension, revocation, or other action affecting the APRN’s federal or state controlled substances registrations, or both, within 30 days of such action. In the case of the surrender, suspension, or revocation of either registration, or both, the APRN shall immediately cease all prescriptive practice. (4) Advanced Practice Certification. In order to maintain APRN authorization and to engage in advanced practice registered nursing, an APRN shall hold current professional advanced practice certification shall comply with 244 CMR 4.00: Advanced Practice Registered Nursing governing initial and continued certification requirements of the Board approved certifying organization, and shall submit documentation satisfactory to the Board of current certification with each application for Registered Nurse license renewal. Full Disclosure. When proposing any diagnostic or therapeutic intervention which is beyond the scope of generic nursing practice, an APRN shall fully disclose to the patient or to the patient’s representative the risks and benefits of, and alternatives to, such intervention and shall document such disclosure in the patient’s record. Notice of Charges for Services. An APRN engaged in independent billing for his or her services shall provide access to information regarding charges and methods of payment for services when requested by a patient or the patient’s representative.