2021 Wisconsin Statutes & Annotations
Chapter 441 - Board of nursing.
441.115 - Exceptions; temporary practice.
441.115 Exceptions; temporary practice.
(1) This chapter may not be construed to affect nursing by friends, members of the family, or undergraduates in a school approved by the board, nor be construed to interfere with members of religious communities or orders having charge of hospitals or taking care of the sick in their homes, except that none of those persons may represent himself or herself as a registered, trained, certified, or graduate nurse unless licensed under this subchapter.
(1m) No credential under this chapter is required for a person who engages in the practice of a licensed practical nurse or registered nurse while performing official duties for the armed services or federal health services of the United States.
(2)
(a) In this subsection, “nursing credential" means a license, permit or certificate of registration or certification that is granted to a person by another state or territory or by a foreign country or province and that authorizes or qualifies the person holding the credential to perform acts that are substantially the same as those performed by a person licensed as a registered nurse or licensed practical nurse under this subchapter, except that “nursing credential” does not include a multistate license, as defined in s. 441.51 (2) (h), issued by a party state, as defined in s. 441.51 (2) (k).
(b) A person who holds a current, valid nursing credential may practice professional or practical nursing in this state, as provided under par. (c), for not more than 72 consecutive hours each year without holding a license granted by the board under this subchapter if the board determines that the requirements for the nursing credential that the person holds are substantially equivalent to the requirements for licensure under this subchapter. Except in an emergency, the person shall provide to the board, at least 7 days before practicing professional or practical nursing for the person who is specified under par. (c) 2., written notice that includes the name of the person providing notice, the type of nursing credential that the person holds and the name of the state, territory, foreign country or province that granted the nursing credential. In the event of an emergency, the person shall provide to the board written notice that includes the information otherwise required under this paragraph, as soon as practicable.
(c) A person who is permitted to practice professional or practical nursing under par. (b) may practice professional or practical nursing only for the following persons:
1. A person who is being transported through or into this state for the purpose of receiving medical care.
2. A person who is in this state temporarily, if the person is a resident of the state, territory, country or province that granted the nursing credential to the person permitted to practice professional or practical nursing under par. (b).
(3)
(a) Notwithstanding s. 441.06 (4), a person may at a recreational and educational camp licensed under s. 97.67 (1) practice professional nursing to provide treatment to campers and staff for not more than 90 days in any year without holding a license granted under this subchapter if all of the following apply:
1. The person holds in good standing a license, permit, registration, or certificate granted by another state or territory or by a Canadian province or territory that authorizes the person to perform acts that are substantially the same as those performed by a person licensed as a registered nurse under this subchapter.
2. The requirements for the license, permit, registration, or certificate that the person holds under subd. 1. are substantially equivalent to the requirements for licensure as a registered nurse under this subchapter.
3. The person is not under active investigation by a licensing authority or law enforcement authority in any state, federal, or foreign jurisdiction.
(b) A person shall submit to the board a form provided by the board before practicing under par. (a). The board may promulgate rules establishing the form to be submitted under this subsection.
(c) This subsection does not apply to a person who holds a multistate license, as defined in s. 441.51 (2) (h), issued by a party state, as defined in s. 441.51 (2) (k).
History: 1983 a. 189 s. 273; 1995 a. 146; 1999 a. 22; 2013 a. 124; 2017 a. 135, 364; 2019 a. 148; 2021 a. 46.
