What Does it Mean When a Nurse is on Probation in Arizona?
Probation for licenses of nurses in AZ is offered through a Consent Agreement.
The Consent Agreement requires the nurse to do certain things (drug testing, work supervision, counseling, continuing education).
Alternatively, refrain from doing things (unsupervised nursing like home health, working under the Nursing Licensure Compact, using alcohol, etc.).
Nurse License Probation can affect the following:
- RN
- LPN
- NP
- CRNA
Arizona State Nursing Board Probation
Standard terms of probation can include:
- Work Supervision
- Drug Testing
- Continuing Education Courses
- Work restrictions:
- No nights
- No registry
- No home health
- No out-of-state practice
- No more compact privilege
Can You Work Registry While on Probation with The Arizona Nursing Board?
AZ Nurse Cannot Practice
No, unless the Board agrees to allow the nurse to work the registry for a specific employer. Or if the nurse is granted an amendment after signing a Consent Agreement.
All licensed nurses on probation via a Consent Agreement with the Arizona Board of Nursing have practice-related requirements.
The standard Consent Agreement contains the following terms:
- The nurse may not work for a nurse’s registry, home health, traveling nurse agency, any other temporary employing agencies, float pool, or position in which they cannot maintain the supervision requirements.
Can You Work Nights While on Probation with The Arizona Board of Nursing?
Working Night Times on Probation
No, unless the Board agrees to allow the nurse to work nights for a specific employer. Or if the nurse is granted an amendment after signing a Consent Agreement.
All licensed nurses on probation via a Consent Agreement with the Arizona Board of Nursing have practice-related requirements.
The standard Consent Agreement contains the following terms:
- The nurse shall work only the day or evening shift. An evening shift is a shift that ends before midnight.
- Within 14 days, the nurse shall not work more than 84 scheduled hours. The nurse may work three 12-hour shifts in one 7-day period and four 12-hour shifts in the other 7-day period, but the nurse may not work more than three consecutive 12-hour shifts while on probation.
- The nurse shall not work two consecutive 8-hour shifts within 24 hours or be scheduled to work 16 hours within 24 hour-period.
Get Permission to Work Night Times
Thus, if a nurse on probation with the Arizona Board of Nursing wants to work at night, they must first get permission from the Board.
Can Arizona Nursing Board Probation Require Drug Testing?
A nurse in Arizona receives their probation for a license through a Consent Agreement.
The Consent Agreement requires the nurse to do certain things (drug testing, work supervision, counseling, continuing education).
Alternatively, refrain from doing things (unsupervised nursing like home health, working under the Nursing Licensure Compact, using alcohol, etc.).
State Board Licensing Action
Nurses who hold a license or certification in Arizona can face license actions by the AZ State Board of Nursing for any investigatory matters.
If the AZBN determines formal licensing action is necessary, it will happen after the completion of an investigation. It’s the job of the Board to review any complaint alleging a violation of the Arizona Nurse Practice Act (“NPA”) and Arizona law. Thus, at an Arizona Nursing Board Meeting, the Board will vote to determine the outcome of each investigation. Therefore, one may need a defense attorney.
The Board can vote on a non-disciplinary outcome or vote to offer the nurse a formal discipline.
Arizona Nurse Drug Testing
The following are standard terms for anyone required to submit to drug testing under a Consent Agreement with the Arizona Board of Nursing.
Program Enrollment: Within seven days of the Order’s effective date and throughout the Order’s term, the nurse shall enroll and remain enrolled in the Board-approved third-party program for random drug and alcohol testing program. Drug testing may include urine, hair, nail, saliva, or blood testing, as determined by the Board or the Board’s designee.
Testing Frequency: For random urine drug testing, the nurse shall submit a urine specimen a minimum of twice per month throughout the term, and for, at minimum, the first 18 months of the term and until the Board or its designee has given written authorization they may reduce the frequency of drug testing. After that, the nurse shall submit a urine specimen at least once per month for the Order duration and may be required to submit a specimen more frequently, as determined by the Board or its designee.
If Traveling: The nurse shall provide at least three calendar days’ written notice to the drug testing program and the Board’s designee in advance of travel or unavailability to test. They must provide notice for any out-of-town trip or another unavailability. All requests to be temporarily excused from drug testing must be approved in advance by the Board or its designee.
Missed Test Due to Illness: Within seven days of a missed drug test due to an unexpected illness, the nurse shall provide the Board or the Board’s designee with written documentation from a medical provider. It should state that the medical provider personally examined the nurse on the day of the missed drug test and that the nurse was physically unable to report to the laboratory for drug testing.
Non-Compliance: At any time during the term of this Order, failing to submit to two or more random drug tests; or failing to submit to a drug test on a day when the Board has requested a drug test, its designee, the nurse’s healthcare employer, or the drug testing program will constitute non-compliance with the Order and the nurse’s license shall be automatically revoked for at minimum five years, NOT subject to further review. A positive drug test showing evidence of any substance (alcohol or drug) other than an authorized drug may result in Board staff notifying the nurse’s employer.
How Do I Keep My Nursing License Active When Not Working in Arizona? | Nurse License Renewal
Registered Nurse (RN) and Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) renewal of licensure is required every four years. However, Arizona is a Nurse License Compact State. If your Primary State of Residency is in another Compact State, you should only apply for licensure in Arizona if you declare Arizona as your Primary State of Residency.
The Primary State of Residency is where you vote, pay taxes and hold a driver’s license.
Nursing Board RN/LPN Renewal Requirements
Renewal applicants must meet one of the following practice requirements:
- Practiced as a nurse for 960 hours or more in the past 5 years OR
- Graduated from a nursing program and obtained a degree within the past 5 years OR
- Completed an Arizona Board approved refresher course in the past 5 years OR
- Obtained an advanced nursing degree in the past 5 years (i.e. LPN to RN, RN to BSN, masters, or doctorate).
Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN) Renewal Requirements
APRNs must submit a separate application from their RN application to renew their APRN certificate. APRNs must review their RN license first.
APRN Renewal applicants must meet the following requirements:
- Practiced as an advanced practice registered nurse for 960 hours or more in the past 5 years
- Hold an active Arizona RN OR current RN license with multistate privileges in another compact state.
- Hold active national certification. (Your certification will expire when your RN license expires)
- APRNs who hold an active DEA license MUST have completed a minimum of three hours of opioid-related, substance use disorder-related, or addiction-related continuing education (as required by Arizona Revised Statute 32-3248.02)
Criminal Record Attorneys
If you’re interested in learning more about our Arizona Nursing License Probation services and how to protect your rights, set up a consultation with Chelle Law and our Arizona Nursing Attorney. Reach out to us today.
