NC S73

Establishes advanced practice registered nurse (APRN) as a distinct licensure category with four roles: nurse practitioner, certified nurse midwife, clinical nurse specialist, and certified registered nurse anesthetist, each with defined scope of practice and population focus areas.

Grants APRNs prescribing, ordering, dispensing, and furnishing authority under Board oversight, and defines detailed practice components for each APRN role including advanced assessment, diagnostic ordering, and treatment decisions.

Reorganizes the Board of Nursing to include one APRN member elected by APRN voters, updates member qualifications to include disciplinary history and criminal background requirements within 10 years, and clarifies Board powers regarding APRN licensing and discipline.

Updates disciplinary procedures to allow broader range of sanctions including probation, reprimand, fines, and remedial training; establishes confidentiality protections for Board investigative records while requiring self-reporting of arrests and disciplinary actions by licensees.

Modifies licensing procedures for RNs and LPNs by removing requirement for examinations "at least twice each year," simplifies application processes to allow Board discretion in format, and establishes new procedures for temporary licensing, license renewal, reinstatement, and inactive status.