Colorado board of nursing is the specific licensing and regulatory body established to set nursing practices and standards in the state of Colorado. However, it is important to know that this is not the only thing they do. Each state in the US has a unique regulatory board commonly referred to as “state” board of nursing where “state” can be replaced with the particular name of that state. These boards deal with setting standards and practices for delivering nursing care. They also define the scope of the duty of nurses and issue licenses to qualified nurses. The Colorado state board of nursing premises is located at 1560 Broadway of 880 Denver, CO #80202. Although nursing boards across the US have a basic framework that describes their operations and jurisdictions, there are several differences that vary from state to another. The board of nursing in Colorado, among other boards in neighboring regions collectively forms members of the NCSBN (national council of state boards of nursing). NCSBN basically administer NCLE (national council licensure examination) which is the national exam nurses must pass before they are issued a license. The two broad categories for this examination include the following:

• Registered nurses and advanced RNs who take the NCLEX-RN exams
• Licensed practical (vocational) who take NLEX-PN exams

Contents:

• Responsibilities and Operation of Colorado Board of Nursing
• Colorado Board of Nursing and Licensing of APRNs
• How to Reach the Colorado Board of Nursing?
• The Colorado Board of Nursing — Summarizing Information

While the board is primarily tasked with licensing these professionals, they are not the only body approved to enforce or impose rules affecting the nursing practice.

Responsibilities and Operation of Colorado Board of Nursing

State boards of nursing, including the Colorado state board of nursing, work under laws and acts passed by state legislatures. The state legislature passes acts known as NPAs (nursing practice acts) which basically lay out all the requirements for becoming a nurse and also defines the scope of all nursing practices. Once these acts are passed, they become law and carry the same weight as law. The state board of nursing then implements the NPAs by setting standards, rules, and administrative regulations to further add descriptive information and detail that define the scope of nursing practice and requirements. All rules and standards added must be in line with the law and can never go beyond the law. The main responsibilities of Colorado board of nursing include the following:

1. Evaluation – They evaluate all applications for a nursing license. Those interested in becoming nurses in Colorado must send their applications to the nursing board to evaluate and review their details before licenses are given. This is a move that ensures the licenses are given to certified individuals who have all the credentials necessary to become a nurse in Colorado.
2. Licensing – This involves issuing nursing licenses to qualifying RNs, APRs, and LPNs. It also includes renewing nursing licenses as well as providing licenses to professional nurses from other states.
3. Disciplinary action – Colorado board of nursing is tasked with taking necessary disciplinary action against all violators of the set standards and nursing laws. Nurses, employers, and other professionals can file complaints and send them to the board to open up investigations.

These three are the core responsibilities of all state boards of nursing across the country and their jurisdiction only applies to the particular state. The board in Colorado, therefore, exercises its responsibilities only in Colorado. Other responsibilities include authorizing usage of licensure examination, approving new nursing training models, courses, and programs that meet the established licensing criteria and offering advice to the legislature in regards to the legal scope of nursing practice. Colorado board of nursing is also tasked with regulating nurse and medication aides/assistants working in home healthcare and nursing homes settings. As an information center, the state board of nursing in Colorado offers a professionally built website that provides all the reports, instructions and information pertaining to their duty and support services. All citizens of the state will find it easy to search for any information that they need to know about the Colorado board of nursing. Their website includes links for those who:

• Want to renew their nursing license
• Want to download and fill application files/forms
• Want to lookup of print their nursing license
• Want o update their contact information or look for licensee or discipline list
• Want to file a complaint and
• Those looking for general board information

They also provide a section containing the laws and policies including nursing practice acts, nurse aide practice acts, psychiatric technician practice acts, nursing rules, regulations and board policies. Additionally, the site offers a resources section to help users find more information about the board, its practices, and policies, as well as training videos, planning toolkits and updates to the existing legislation. You can always check the Colorado board of nursing license verification section to sort out queries with your licensure or look up its status.

Colorado Board of Nursing and Licensing of APRNs

Each state has unique requirements for licensing APRNs just like it is with licensure of registered nurses. The requirement includes a scope of practice of advanced practicing registered nurses in Colorado and recognition of roles and titles of such professionals in the region. Although the Colorado board of nursing directly handles APRN licensing, there are other boards and state laws that affect APRNs.

• Standard requirement – The legal standard requirement for APRN license requires all applicants to complete a graduate degree program in a recognized advanced nursing school or institution. In Colorado, some specialty cases require a separate examination in the specialty as well as professional experience.

• The scope of practice – There is no specified scope of APRN practice, which is why different states have different rules (that are in line with legislature). For instance, APRNs can work independently without the need for a physician and also have various privileges in writing prescriptions. Other states require physicians and do not give APRNs prescription writing privileges. Back in 2012, a consensus model was derived to define the scope of APRN practice and remove the confusion that is brought by variation in state laws. The consensus model is yet to be made legislation.

While the licensure of APRNs is clouded with variations from state to state, that of registered nurses (RNs) is quite straightforward. There is a legally enforced model and framework that includes how to qualify as an RN, the examinations to pass, how to apply for a license (including filling the details) and the code of RN practicing.

 How to Reach the Colorado Board of Nursing?

There are several ways to contact the Colorado board of nursing and licensure including direct phone calls, messaging, email and premise visits. The board has a dedicated platform within the department of regulatory bodies. You can simply visit the website for a department of regulatory bodies, look up professions and occupations under division and then choose boards and programs where you will find the board of nursing. The easiest way to land their online page is to directly type Colorado state board of nursing on your favorite browser. It should be the 1st result after the ads. Alternatively, you can follow the link www.dora.state.co.us/nursing/ which lands you directly on their website. Their contact information is 1560 Broadway (Suite 1350) found in Denver (CO 80202). Their current cell phone number is +1 303-894-2430 and +1 303-894-2458. Fax address is 303-894-2821 and email address is dora_nursingboard@state.co.us. These are the direct contact lines that will make it easy to contact Colorado board of nursing in order to get any assistance you need.

 The Colorado Board of Nursing — Summarizing Information

The Colorado board of nursing license is a state board like any other (every state in the US has its own nursing license board). It deals with regulation of nursing practice and enforcement of part of the legislature that affects nursing practice. They determine the scope of nursing practice within the specified jurisdiction, the educational requirement for RNs and APRNs, titles and roles as well as examination. Their goal is to ensure only qualified nurses are licensed and approved to offer their services. They also ensure all professionals work under the rules and law established, taking disciplinary actions against lawbreakers. The board accepts complaints and looks into such cases to maintain justice, smooth operation, and order within the nursing department. If you are looking to become a registered nurse in Colorado, the board is your ideal research center. They provide comprehensive information regarding the nursing practice, the rules, regulations and policies, qualification requirements, approved/recognized nursing institutions and licensing process. Although all states share most base frameworks and requirements, there are many little variations from one state to another. If you are a registered nurse licensed in another state, the board has procedures for verifying your details and qualification. They also provide information on how you can get Colorado licensing. In simple terms, the board is your one-stop institution when looking for information, assistance and clarification on issues pertaining to nursing whether qualification, licensing or code of practice. As long as you have all the necessary requirements needed, it is going to be quite easy for you.

SOURCES:

www.colorado.gov

www.ncsbn.org