NCSBN Seeks to Add Organizations to Nursys(R) Emergency Responder Service Roster

CHICAGO, IL--(Marketwire - May 23, 2011) - The National Council of State Boards of Nursing's (NCSBN®) Nursys® Emergency Responder Service seeks to add emergency response organizations (EROs) to its roster of approved agencies that have the ability to verify numerous nurse licenses all at one time, free of charge, during a declared "All Hazards Event."

An All Hazards Event designated as an emergency by local, state, federal or international authorities can sometimes require the use of nurse volunteers. When such volunteers are needed it is necessary for EROs to quickly and efficiently confirm the licensure status of nurses offering assistance. Any NCSBN approved organization (either government or private) that is designated by state, federal, local or international authorities to respond to a declared emergency event may qualify to access NCSBN's national nurse licensure database (www.nursys.com) in which the majority of state boards of nursing submit licensure information.

EROs can obtain the following information:

• The nurse's name;
• Licensed jurisdiction;
• License type;
• License number;
• Compact status (single state, multistate, N/A; not applicable for noncompact states);
• If the license is active;
• License original issue date;
• License expiration date;
• Discipline against license; and
• Discipline against privilege to practice.

A number of organizations are already approved for this service, including the American Red Cross, but NCSBN is placing no limit on the number of agencies that can avail themselves of this vital program. For more information on how designated EROs can begin the NCSBN approval process fill out the contact information form at: https://www.nursys.com/EmergencyResponder/ContactUsEmergencyResponder.aspx or send an email to emergencyresponderadmin@ncsbn.org.

The National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN) is a not-for-profit organization whose members include the boards of nursing in the 50 states, the District of Columbia and four U.S. territories -- American Samoa, Guam, Northern Mariana Islands and the Virgin Islands. There are also seven associate members.

Mission: NCSBN provides education, service and research through collaborative leadership to promote evidence-based regulatory excellence for patient safety and public protection.

The statements and opinions expressed are those of NCSBN and not the individual member state or territorial boards of nursing.

National Council of State Boards of Nursing, Inc.
111 E. Wacker Drive, Suite 2900
Chicago, IL 60601-4277