Delaware Administrative Code
Title 24 - Regulated Professions and Occupations
Department of State
Division of Professional Regulation
1900 - Board of Nursing
Section 1900-4.0 - Alternate Supervised Practice Plan

4.1.1 A supervised practice plan (SPP) is available to provide opportunities for a nurse who is presently ineligible for endorsement, reinstatement, or renewal of licensure because the nurse fails to satisfy the 1000 practice hours in the past five years or a minimum of 400 nursing practice hours in the past two years.

4.1.2 The SPP is an alternative to the refresher course and it is used to review and update nursing knowledge and skills in order to become licensed and resume active practice.

4.1.3 An orientation program does not take the place of 240 hours of supervised practice.

4.2.1 The participating facility must be an acute care or long term care skilled nursing healthcare facility.

4.2.2 The nurse applicant must contact potential healthcare facilities to obtain approval to utilize a supervised practice plan to obtain the practice hours required. A copy of the SPP clinical skills checklist must be presented to the Chief Nurse Executive of the healthcare facility.

4.2.3 Upon agreeing with an applicant to provide a period of supervised practice for the assurance of minimal competency, the Chief Nurse Executive of the healthcare facility shall verify this agreement in writing by submitting a letter to the Board. The letter should include a statement that the Chief Nurse Executive has reviewed the SPP clinical skills checklist and that the healthcare facility is able to provide the opportunities to demonstrate completion of the skills on the checklist.

4.2.4 Upon receipt of the supervised practice agreement letter, a temporary permit to practice will be issued by the Board to the nurse for presentation to the health care facility. The temporary permit must remain active during the supervised practice period, and it is the applicant's responsibility to renew the temporary permit if it will expire prior to completion of the 240 hours.

4.2.5 The Chief Nurse Executive shall designate a Registered Nurse to provide the supervised clinical nursing practice of no less than 240 hours. The Chief Nurse Executive is accountable for the quality of the supervised experience and the accurate assessment of the competence of the nurse applicant.

4.2.6 Upon completion of the required hours, the Chief Nurse Executive shall submit a completed SPP clinical skills checklist confirming satisfactory completion of the skills and a recommendation regarding the licensure reinstatement, endorsement, or renewal of the nurse applicant.

4.2.7 Based on the submitted documentation, the Board may reinstate, endorse, or renew the license or issue a letter of proposed to deny licensure.