Registered nurse or advanced practice registered nurse — Duties relating to nursing care of students — Notice to school districts. (Effective June 30, 2027.)
RCW 28A.210.305
in effect(1)(a) A registered nurse or an advanced practice registered nurse licensed under chapter 18.79 RCW working in a school setting is authorized and responsible for the nursing care of students to the extent that the care is within the practice of nursing as defined in this section. (b) A school administrator may supervise a registered nurse or an advanced practice registered nurse licensed under chapter 18.79 RCW in aspects of employment other than the practice of nursing as defined in this section. (c) Only a registered nurse or an advanced practice registered nurse licensed under chapter 18.79 RCW may supervise, direct, or evaluate a licensed nurse working in a school setting with respect to the practice of nursing as defined in this section. (2) Nothing in this section: (a) Prohibits a nonnurse supervisor from supervising, directing, or evaluating a licensed nurse working in a school setting with respect to matters other than the practice of nursing; (b) Requires a registered nurse or an advanced practice registered nurse to be clinically supervised in a school setting; or (c) Prohibits a nonnurse supervisor from conferring with a licensed nurse working in a school setting with respect to the practice of nursing. (3) Within existing funds, the superintendent of public instruction shall notify each school district in this state of the requirements of this section. (4) For purposes of this section, "practice of nursing" means: (a) Registered nursing practice as defined in RCW 18.79.040 , advanced practice registered nursing as defined in RCW 18.79.050 , and licensed practical nursing practice as defined in RCW 18.79.060 , including, but not limited to: (i) The administration of medication pursuant to a medication or treatment order; and (ii) The decision to summon emergency medical assistance; and (b) Compliance with any state or federal statute or administrative rule specifically regulating licensed nurses, including any statute or rule defining or establishing standards of patient care or professional conduct or practice.
(1)(a) A registered nurse or an advanced practice registered nurse licensed under chapter 18.79 RCW working in a school setting is authorized and responsible for the nursing care of students to the extent that the care is within the practice of nursing as defined in this section.
(b) A school administrator may supervise a registered nurse or an advanced practice registered nurse licensed under chapter 18.79 RCW in aspects of employment other than the practice of nursing as defined in this section.
(c) Only a registered nurse or an advanced practice registered nurse licensed under chapter 18.79 RCW may supervise, direct, or evaluate a licensed nurse working in a school setting with respect to the practice of nursing as defined in this section.
(2) Nothing in this section:
(a) Prohibits a nonnurse supervisor from supervising, directing, or evaluating a licensed nurse working in a school setting with respect to matters other than the practice of nursing;
(b) Requires a registered nurse or an advanced practice registered nurse to be clinically supervised in a school setting; or
(c) Prohibits a nonnurse supervisor from conferring with a licensed nurse working in a school setting with respect to the practice of nursing.
(3) Within existing funds, the superintendent of public instruction shall notify each school district in this state of the requirements of this section.
(4) For purposes of this section, "practice of nursing" means:
(a) Registered nursing practice as defined in RCW 18.79.040 , advanced practice registered nursing as defined in RCW 18.79.050 , and licensed practical nursing practice as defined in RCW 18.79.060 , including, but not limited to:
(i) The administration of medication pursuant to a medication or treatment order; and
(ii) The decision to summon emergency medical assistance; and
(b) Compliance with any state or federal statute or administrative rule specifically regulating licensed nurses, including any statute or rule defining or establishing standards of patient care or professional conduct or practice.
Source: WA Statutes (Official Site)URL: https://app.leg.wa.gov/RCW/default.aspx?cite=28A.210&full=trueFetched: 6/29/2026