DOH using Lean Initiative to streamline nurses’ licensing processes

PROVIDENCE – As part of Rhode Island’s “Lean Initiative,” which Gov. Gina M. Raimondo championed to foster innovation, promote a culture of continuous improvement and the elimination of waste, the R.I. Department of Health recently replaced its paper-based application process for initial licensure for nurses with a new online portal.

“To ensure that we retain and attract top-notch health care providers to Rhode Island, it is essential that we create a licensing environment that moves at the speed of business,” DOH Director Dr. Nicole Alexander-Scott, said in a statement. “By streamlining our process in this way, we will also be reducing costs and improving the quality of service by freeing up staff to assist potential licensees who have specific issues with their applications.”

DOH began piloting the new system for initial licensure for nurses in mid-April 2016. Now, a nurse applicant is able to create a personal account and check on the status of his or her application. When an application is approved, the applicant receives an e-mail confirmation, along with certificate-and wallet-sized copies of his or her license.

“Our Community College of Rhode Island nursing graduates now have the opportunity to complete their initial application for licensure as a registered nurse online,” Hilary Jansson, CCRI’s interim assistant dean for nurse education, said in a statement. “We are pleased that the DOH is utilizing technology to facilitate the entrance of nursing graduates into the health care workforce.”

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