Nurses are often the unsung heroes of the healthcare industry. Doctors may get a lot of the credit, but nurses are the backbone of patients receiving proper care. They ensure they take their meds, follow the physician’s orders, and much more. Of course, the actual job of caring for patients is the most important part of nursing, but nurses also need to deal with the administrative side of their careers.
A large part of this is navigating the PA Board of Nursing, which is critical to maintaining an active nurse license. Dealing with the PA Board of Nursing could be a bit difficult or confusing for new nurses. Therefore, we have compiled a quick guide below. Let’s dive in!
What is the PA Board of Nursing
The PA Board of Nursing is where nurses can obtain their licensure. New nurses must apply with the board to obtain their initial licensure, which will also be where they renew their license. This government entity is part of the Bureau of Professional and Occupational Affairs (BPOA).
It’s also in charge of setting and regulating nursing standards. The board is highly important in ensuring that nurses perform their jobs properly and in the best interests of patients.
Applying for a Nurse License with the Pennsylvania Board of Nursing
After completing nursing school, a new nurse must apply for a license. This begins with creating an account on the Pennsylvania Licensing System (PALS). PALS will be used to apply for the license and renewals going forward. Nurses can also check the status of their applications on this site.
Applications will primarily be submitted electronically, but some applications may require a paper submission. This is the case for any application for re-examination with the Pennsylvania Board of Nursing.
PA State Board of Nursing License Renewal
Nurses will also go through the PA State Board of Nursing to renew their licenses. According to the Pennsylvania Department of State website, “Licenses expire June 30 of every even-numbered year. The Board emails renewal notices approximately 60 days before the license expiration date.” The notice of renewal time is sent to the address the individual has on file with the board, so it is important to keep this information current.
Also, the PA Department of State site states that the postal service will not forward licenses to a new address. Nurses applying for renewal must pay a fee of $297 and complete 48 hours of approved continuing education. Furthermore, these continuing education hours must include 2 hours of child abuse education and 12 hours in the areas of infection control and emergency preparedness.
Disciplinary Actions Through the PA Board of Nursing
The PA State Board of Nursing also handles disciplinary actions for nurses who have enacted violations during their jobs. Depending on the severity of the violation, the state board may impose fees, suspension, indefinite suspension, probation, and more. In the case of suspensions, the nurse will have to reapply for their license after the suspension period is over.
Finding a Rewarding Placement as a Nurse
Whether you are a new nurse or looking for a more ideal facility to work in, Cynamed is here to help. We are a staffing agency based out of Pittsburgh that is here to help nurses and other medical professionals find a job placement they are happy with.
We work with your career goals to find a placement that aligns. If you have any questions, please call us at 412-325-3420 or contact us through the web form on our site.
