(a)  Notwithstanding the provisions of § 5-34-31, or any general law, rule, or regulation to the contrary, upon the effective date of this section, March 28, 2022, due to the public health crisis caused by COVID-19, the exemption in § 5-34-31(2) relating to the practice of nursing “pending the results of the licensing examinations following that graduation” is hereby suspended for registered nurse graduates; provided that, the registered nurse graduates shall:

(1)  Apply and receive a temporary graduate nursing license that is valid for a period not exceeding ninety (90) days;

(2)  Work under the supervision of licensed registered nurses; and

(3)  Comply with other applicable requirements.

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Terms Used In Rhode Island General Laws 5-34-31.1

  • Department: means the department of health. See Rhode Island General Laws 5-34-3
  • Health: means optimum well-being. See Rhode Island General Laws 5-34-3
  • Licensed: means the status of qualified individuals who have completed a designated process by which the board of nursing grants permission to individuals accountable and/or responsible for the practice of nursing and to engage in that practice, prohibiting all others from legally doing so. See Rhode Island General Laws 5-34-3
  • Nursing: means the provision of services that are essential to the promotion, maintenance, and restoration of health throughout the continuum of life. See Rhode Island General Laws 5-34-3

(b)  The Rhode Island department of health shall promulgate and enforce any rules and regulations necessary to implement this section.

(c)  Unless extended by the general assembly, this section shall sunset on June 30, 2022.

History of Section.
P.L. 2022, ch. 7, § 5, effective March 28, 2022; P.L. 2022, ch. 8, § 5, effective March 28, 2022.