Minnesota Administrative Rules Agency 159 - Nursing Board
Minnesota Administrative Rules – Agency 159: Nursing Board
1. Overview
MAR Agency 159 governs the Minnesota Board of Nursing, which regulates:
Registered Nurses (RNs)
Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs)
Advanced Practice Registered Nurses (APRNs)
The Board ensures that nurses practice safely, ethically, and competently, protecting patient safety and public health.
2. Key Provisions
A. Licensing and Education
Nurses must meet education, supervised clinical experience, and examination requirements.
Licenses require periodic renewal and proof of continuing education.
B. Professional Conduct
Rules define ethical practice standards, including:
Maintaining patient confidentiality
Avoiding substance abuse while practicing
Practicing within scope of license
C. Enforcement Authority
The Board can investigate complaints, hold hearings, and impose disciplinary actions, including:
License suspension or revocation
Probation with monitoring
Fines or corrective action requirements
D. Patient Protection
MAR 159 enforces safe nursing practices, mandatory reporting of abuse, and proper documentation of patient care.
3. Enforcement Mechanisms
Complaint Intake
Complaints may come from patients, colleagues, employers, or other health agencies.
Board screens complaints for jurisdiction and merit.
Investigation
Board collects evidence via interviews, medical records review, and workplace inspection.
Administrative Hearings
Nurses may contest disciplinary actions before administrative law judges.
Decisions can include probation, fines, or license revocation.
Monitoring and Compliance
Nurses on probation may have supervised practice, drug testing, or reporting requirements.
4. Illustrative Cases
Here are six detailed enforcement cases under MAR Agency 159:
Case 1 – Practicing Without a License
Facts:
A nurse provided patient care after her license had expired.
Issue:
Violation of MAR 159 licensing requirements.
Action:
Board investigation confirmed the nurse treated multiple patients without a valid license.
Outcome:
Nurse received a cease-and-desist order, and license renewal was delayed until investigation concluded.
Additional probationary period imposed after license reinstatement.
Significance:
Reinforces strict licensing compliance to protect patient safety.
Case 2 – Substance Abuse While Practicing
Facts:
A nurse was found diverting controlled medications for personal use.
Issue:
Violation of MAR 159 rules prohibiting substance abuse while practicing.
Action:
Investigation included pharmacy records and workplace surveillance.
Outcome:
License revoked temporarily, with possibility of reinstatement after completing rehabilitation and monitoring.
Significance:
Protects patients from unsafe nursing care and enforces professional conduct standards.
Case 3 – Medication Errors Due to Negligence
Facts:
A nurse repeatedly administered incorrect dosages to patients.
Issue:
Violation of MAR 159 rules for safe nursing practice.
Action:
Board reviewed patient records and incident reports.
Outcome:
Probation imposed, required additional training on medication administration, and supervised practice for six months.
Significance:
Ensures competence in patient care and reduces risk of harm.
Case 4 – Patient Confidentiality Breach
Facts:
A nurse disclosed a patient’s medical information to unauthorized individuals.
Issue:
Violation of MAR 159 confidentiality rules.
Action:
Investigation confirmed repeated unauthorized disclosures.
Outcome:
License suspended for 3 months, mandatory training on privacy laws, and written apology to affected patients.
Significance:
Highlights the critical role of confidentiality in nursing practice.
Case 5 – Fraudulent Documentation
Facts:
A nurse falsified patient records to cover up missed treatments.
Issue:
Violation of MAR 159 rules on documentation and professional integrity.
Action:
Board examined records and interviewed colleagues.
Outcome:
License revoked, required remedial ethics training before reapplication.
Significance:
Emphasizes the importance of accurate and honest documentation in patient care.
Case 6 – Boundary Violations
Facts:
A nurse engaged in an inappropriate personal relationship with a patient.
Issue:
Violation of MAR 159 rules regarding professional boundaries.
Action:
Board conducted investigation and interviews with the patient and witnesses.
Outcome:
License suspended for 1 year, required ethics training, and probation with monitoring after reinstatement.
Significance:
Protects patients and ensures professional boundaries are maintained.
5. Summary Table of Enforcement Cases
| Case | Violation | Enforcement Action | Significance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Practicing Without License | Expired license | Cease-and-desist, probation | Licensing compliance |
| Substance Abuse | Medication diversion | License revocation, rehab | Patient safety |
| Medication Errors | Incorrect dosages | Probation, supervised practice | Competence in care |
| Confidentiality Breach | Unauthorized disclosure | Suspension, privacy training | Protects patient privacy |
| Fraudulent Documentation | Falsified records | License revoked, ethics training | Integrity in nursing practice |
| Boundary Violation | Personal relationship with patient | Suspension, probation | Maintains professional boundaries |
6. Key Takeaways
MAR Agency 159 ensures nursing competence, ethical behavior, and patient safety.
Enforcement mechanisms include investigation, hearings, probation, suspension, revocation, and training.
Cases illustrate licensing compliance, substance abuse, negligence, confidentiality, documentation, and boundary violations.
The Board balances public protection with opportunities for remediation when possible.
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