Reviewing the new Maryland NP law

Thank you to all our active members who approved our new bylaws. They are now posted on the website. I also encourage everyone to take a look at them as we have restructured our organization and the way the board is chosen and works for you. We are attempting to maintain our relevance in a world of social media, electronic meetings and an overabundance of information.

We hope that our communications to our members and followers are to the point and relevant in your professional life. Please let us know if you have any suggestions or changes as we welcome your input.

I encourage all of our followers and expired members to consider becoming active members. We have a lot of work to do now that we have full practice authority in Maryland. Many hospital bylaws need to be updated; insurance companies and others need to be educated on what our new status means to them and to our patients.

For those of you who are already practicing, the new law that goes into affect in October will not change anything. If you move to another position or lose your current attestation physician, there is no need to update your attestation or file a change with the Board of Nursing (BoN).

If you are a new graduate or new to Maryland, you must file an attestation with the BoN until October 1, 2015. If you move into Maryland or graduate after October 1, you will have to choose a mentor and add that name to the new BoN application. You and your mentor must maintain a relationship for 18 months. The definition of 'mentor' that the BoN will use is the standard Webster definition (someone who teaches or gives help and advice to a less experienced and often younger person) and there will be no other restrictions or responsibilities on either the mentor or mentee.

We will let you know when the BoN posts the updated regulations. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact us.

Dr. Elaine M. Crain, DNP, CNP

MAAPC Communications Chair