SENATE BILL REPORT
HB 1721
This analysis was prepared by non-partisan legislative staff for the use of legislative members in their deliberations. This analysis is not a part of the legislation nor does it constitute a statement of legislative intent. |
As Reported by Senate Committee On:
Health Care, March 23, 2017
Title: An act relating to obtaining required clinical experience for licensed practical nurses who complete a nontraditional registered nurse program.
Brief Description: Concerning obtaining required clinical experience for licensed practical nurses who complete a nontraditional registered nurse program.
Sponsors: Representatives Cody, Haler, Muri, Goodman and Jinkins; by request of Department of Health and Nursing Care Quality Assurance Commission.
Brief History: Passed House: 3/07/17, 85-12.
Committee Activity: Health Care: 3/23/17, 3/23/17 [DP, w/oRec].
Brief Summary of Bill |
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SENATE COMMITTEE ON HEALTH CARE |
Majority Report: Do pass.
Signed by Senators Rivers, Chair; Cleveland, Ranking Minority Member; Kuderer, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Bailey, Conway, Keiser, Miloscia, Mullet, O'Ban and Walsh.
Minority Report: That it be referred without recommendation.
Signed by Senator Becker, Vice Chair.
Staff: Evan Klein (786-7483)
Background: A registered nurse is a person who performs acts requiring substantial specialized knowledge, judgment, and skill based on the principles of the biological, physiological, behavioral, and sociological sciences in:
the observation, assessment, diagnosis, care or counsel, and health teaching of individuals with illnesses, injuries, or disabilities, or in the maintenance of health or prevention of illness in others;
the performance of acts requiring education and training that are recognized by the medical and nursing professions as proper and that are authorized by the Nursing Care Quality Assurance Commission (NCQAC);
the administration, supervision, delegation, and evaluation of nursing practice;
the teaching of nursing; or
the execution of medical regimen as prescribed by certain health care professionals.
A licensed practical nurse is a person who performs services requiring the knowledge, skill and judgment necessary for carrying out selected aspects of the designated nursing regimen under the direction and supervision of selected providers including physicians, midwives, and registered nurses.
To be licensed as a registered nurse, an applicant must complete an education program approved by the NCQAC and pass an exam. Registered nursing education programs normally include a clinical experience component, but a nontraditional registered nursing education program does not include such a component. A licensed practical nurse who completes a nontraditional nursing education program may obtain required clinical experience by completing a preceptorship within six months of graduation. The experience must be obtained under the supervision of a registered nurse under the registered nurse's license. The registered nurse must have an unrestricted license with at least two years of clinical practice in the practice setting where the preceptorship will occur.
Summary of Bill: The authority for a licensed practical nurse who has completed a nontraditional registered nursing education program to obtain required clinical experience through a preceptorship is repealed.
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Available.
Creates Committee/Commission/Task Force that includes Legislative members: No.
Effective Date: Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.
Staff Summary of Public Testimony: PRO: The law currently has a loophole that does not require nontraditional programs to have faculty supervised clinical treatment. The current law is not consistent with state or national education standards. Faculty supervised clinical experience is needed to ensure nurses have the appropriate skills to function as registered nurses once their program is completed. The same standards of nursing education requirements should apply to all nursing students. It is difficult for LPNs to find RNs willing to let the LPNs practice under their license. The guidance received by faculty supervisors is critical to patient safety.
Persons Testifying: PRO: Tracy Rude, NCQAC; Tiffany Randich, Student; Dianne Nauer, Dean of Allied Health/Director of Nursing, Bates Technical College; John Mueller, CHI Franciscan Health.
Persons Signed In To Testify But Not Testifying: No one.