36-1804. Licensed registered nurse transition to practice pilot program; program administrator; program curricula; stipends

(Rpld. 1/1/27)

A. Subject to available monies, the administration may establish a licensed registered nurse transition to practice pilot program to facilitate and improve the transition for nurses from education to practice. The program shall support and develop new nurses, provide evidence-based professional development and accelerate the novice nurse to a competent nurse more rapidly.

B. The administration may contract with a statewide hospital association whose membership includes critical care access hospitals or a statewide nurses association experienced in education and training programs to administer some or all of the program. The administration or designated program administrator shall select curricula for the program from a national vendor with experience administering nurse training programs. The curricula must include the following elements:

1. Effective decision-making skills.

2. Clinical leadership while administering care.

3. Incorporating research-based evidence into practice.

4. Professional commitment to nursing.

5. Individual development goals.

C. Subject to available monies, the administration or designated program administrator shall provide stipends to participating health care institutions to implement the licensed registered nurse transition to practice pilot program using the selected curricula. The program administrator shall give priority to critical access hospitals or hospitals located in counties with a population of less than five hundred thousand persons.

D. The monies provided under the program are intended to supplement and not supplant existing transition to practice training program expenses covered by the participating health care institutions. The program established pursuant to this section shall require participating health care institutions to provide matching monies from a revenue source other than the state general fund. Participation in the program is voluntary. Any grant monies remaining unused at the end of a fiscal year may be rolled over to the next fiscal year or reallocated by the administration to the program established by section 36-1803.