Shannon Bitza

The Scope of Practice Committee will convene a workgroup meeting to conduct a review session regarding advisory opinions on the role of a Registered Nurse in performing auricular acupuncture. The committee will discuss and formulate recommendations for this practice area, which will subsequently be presented to the Board for potential approval, modification, or alternative decision-making.

The committee discussed and reviewed several advisory opinions and position statements, including guidelines for medical aesthetic procedures, delegation of nursing tasks, and definitions regarding sedation levels. A work group was proposed to address the use of ionizing radiation by advanced practice registered nurses. The meeting also included the formation of subcommittees for future review of topics such as the Registered Nurse First Assistant role, treating and prescribing medications to self or family, cardiac electrophysiology procedures, and the role of certified nurse midwives in ordering regional analgesia. Additionally, meeting dates for the upcoming year were established.

The workgroup meeting focuses on the role of the Registered Nurse regarding intubation, endotracheal procedures, and the use of advanced airway devices. The committee will conduct an advisory opinion review session to discuss these practices and formulate recommendations for the full Board's future consideration.

The committee reviewed and recommended approval for several academic program changes, including nursing degree program transitions for Boise State University and a nurse practitioner program at Drexel University. The committee also analyzed the 2024 Annual Report, noting concerns regarding survey data accuracy, and agreed to refine survey questions for future administrators. Additionally, the committee formally adopted the schedule of meeting dates for the 2026 calendar year.

The Board meeting addressed numerous Investigative Reports pertaining to APRN/RN/LPN/LNA/UCNA actions. Key discussions and decisions included offering a Consent Agreement for Stayed Revocation Suspension for Kasheema Lashia Payne pending psychological and substance abuse evaluations. An Order Summarily Suspending the license of Holden K. Connolly was issued pending a hearing. An Interim Order was issued for William Kuhaneck requiring psychological and nursing practice evaluations. Several cases resulted in Consent Agreements, including offers for Civil Penalties, Decrees of Censure, and probation terms. Other actions involved dismissing complaints, issuing Letters of Concern, and continuing investigations for further documentation or evaluation completion, such as for Emily Scheuble and Tina Marie Gonzales. One case was tabled for contact follow-up.