Limited Nursing Services License

Residents of facilities licensed to provide LNS services are required to meet the standard ALF admission criteria. However, in addition to the nursing services permitted in a standard license, facilities holding a LNS license may provide, directly or through contract, the following limited nursing services:  

• Conducting passive range of motion exercises Applying ice caps or collars Applying heat, including dry heat, hot water bottle, heating pad, aquathermia, moist heat, hot compresses, sitz bath and hot soaks Cutting the toenails of diabetic residents or residents with a documented circulatory problem if the written approval of the resident's health care provider has been obtained Performing ear and eye irrigations Conducting a urine dipstick test Replacement of an established self-maintained indwelling urinary catheter, or performance of an intermittent urinary catheterizations Performing digital stool removal therapies
• Applying and changing routine dressings that do not require packing or irrigation, but are for abrasions, skin tears and closed surgical wounds
• Care for stage 2 pressure sores. Care for stage 3 or 4 pressure sores are not permitted.
• Caring for casts, braces and splints. Care for head braces, such as a halo is not permitted under this rule
• Conduct nursing assessments if conducted by a registered nurse or under the direct supervision of a registered nurse
• For hospice patients, providing any nursing service permitted within the scope of the nurse's license including 24-hour nursing supervision.
• Assisting, applying, caring for and monitoring the application of anti-embolism stockings or hosiery as prescribed by the health care provider and in accordance with the manufacturers' guidelines.
• Administration and regulation of portable oxygen.
• Applying, caring for and monitoring a transcutaneous electric nerve stimulator (TENS).
• Catheter, colostomy, ileostomy care and maintenance.

LNS Licensing Fees

In addition to the total fee assessed under paragraph (a), AHCA shall require facilities that are licensed to provide limited nursing services under this part to pay an additional fee per licensed facility. The amount of the LNS biennial fee shall be $296 for a standard license, with an additional fee of $10 per resident based on the total licensed resident capacity of the facility. No part of this fee shall be returned to the facility. The agency may adjust the per bed license fee and the biennial license fee once each year by not more than the average rate of inflation for the 12 months immediately preceding the increase

NOTE: The agency may adjust the per bed and the total licensure fee annually based on the change in the consumer price index