The bill S. 45 seeks to amend the South Carolina Code of Laws to enhance the practice authority of Advanced Practice Registered Nurses (APRNs) by introducing a new section, 40-33-31. This section allows the Board of Nursing to grant full practice authority to APRNs who meet specific criteria, such as completing 2,000 clinical hours and possessing malpractice insurance. This change eliminates the current requirement for practice agreements for many medical acts, enabling APRNs to operate independently. The bill also includes conforming changes to existing definitions and requirements related to nursing practice and the delegation of tasks to unlicensed personnel.

In addition to establishing full practice authority, the bill mandates biennial random audits of practice agreements and requires licensees without full practice authority to notify the board of any changes in practice settings or physicians within fifteen business days. It outlines the requirements for nurse practitioners, certified nurse-midwives, and clinical nurse specialists applying for prescriptive authority, including educational hours in pharmacotherapeutics. The bill also clarifies the responsibilities of APRNs regarding medication prescribing, including limitations on controlled substances, and allows for telemedicine practices under specific conditions. Overall, the legislation aims to empower APRNs in South Carolina, improving patient access to healthcare services.

Statutes affected:
12/11/2024: 40-33-31, 40-33-20, 40-33-34, 40-33-42, 40-33-110
Latest Version: 40-33-31, 40-33-20, 40-33-34, 40-33-42, 40-33-110