State of Maryland taking additional steps to increase nursing personnel statewide

ANNAPOLIS, Md. – Governor Larry Hogan says the state is taking additional steps to increase nursing personnel and provide hospitals with maximum flexibility to mitigate staffing shortages.

Maryland Department of Health Secretary Dennis Schrader has issued a notice stating that registered nurses or licensed practical nurses holding a current active license in any other state or jurisdiction may provide nursing care for the duration of the federal COVID-19 public health emergency declaration, effective immediately.

In addition, Maryland Higher Education Commission Secretary James Fielder has issued a request to the leaders of all state nursing programs to again allow the earliest graduation possible for qualified nursing students.

Secretary Schrader sent a letter to the state’s hospital and nursing home leaders, outlining additional flexibilities they may use.

State health officials are encouraging all hospital leaders to work with their local nursing programs to ensure that hospitals can use student nurses to the maximum extent feasible. Officials also encourage all hospital leaders to actively recruit nursing staff from Nurse Licensure Compact states to increase the supply of nurses. This compact allows nurses to have one license but the ability to practice in multiple states.

Nursing students will also be allowed to perform the tasks of Certified Nursing Assistants with supervision, and physician assistant students will be permitted to practice without a license.

State health officials also say a physician may delegate to unlicensed individual aspects of care that are necessary COVID-19 treatment as determined by their clinical judgment.