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An act relating to certification of clinical nurse

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specialists; amending s. 464.0115, F.S.; revising the

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requirements for obtaining certification as a clinical

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nurse specialist; requiring an applicant to submit proof

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to the Department of Health that he or she has the

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required academic and clinical experience to be certified

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as a clinical nurse specialist; providing an effective

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date.

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Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Florida:

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     Section 1.  Subsection (1) of section 464.0115, Florida

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Statutes, is amended to read:

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     464.0115  Certification of clinical nurse specialists.--

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     (1)  Any nurse seeking certification as a clinical nurse

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specialist must apply to the department and submit proof that he

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or she holds a current license to practice professional nursing,

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a master's degree in a clinical nursing specialty, and either:

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     (a) Proof of current certification in a specialty area as a

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clinical nurse specialist from a nationally recognized certifying

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body as determined by the board; or.

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     (b) Proof that he or she holds a master's degree in a

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specialty area for which there is no certification within the

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clinical nurse specialist role and specialty and proof of having

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completed 1,000 hours of clinical experience in the clinical

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specialty for which he or she is academically prepared, with a

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minimum of 500 hours of clinical practice after graduation. The

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applicant for certification as a clinical nurse specialist must

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submit an affidavit to the Board of Nursing affirming the

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required hours of clinical experience. Falsification of the

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affidavit constitutes grounds for discipline in accordance with

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s. 464.018(1)(f).

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     Section 2.  This act shall take effect October 1, 2008.