WSR 16-12-037

PREPROPOSAL STATEMENT OF INQUIRY

[Filed May 25, 2016, 10:11 a.m.]

Subject of Possible Rule Making: WAC 246-840-XXX Collection of demographic data at the time of nursing license renewals.

Statutes Authorizing the Agency to Adopt Rules on this Subject: RCW 18.79.110, 18.79.160, 18.79.202.

Reasons Why Rules on this Subject may be Needed and What They Might Accomplish: The nursing care quality assurance commission (NCQAC) will consider requiring all nurses who renew their license to submit demographic data. The Forum of State Nursing Workforce Centers developed the minimum nurse supply dataset (MDS). The same data elements are collected by nursing workforce centers throughout the country. Collection of the standard MDS elements allows each state to analyze their state specific supply data and benchmark with other states. The data is used to describe the current nursing workforce and develop plans to address the shortage. The Washington Center for Nursing is required by RCW 18.79.202 to collect and analyze the data in partnership with NCQAC collecting data.

Other Federal and State Agencies that Regulate this Subject and the Process Coordinating the Rule with These Agencies: United States Department of Health and Human Services.

Process for Developing New Rule: Collaborative.

Interested parties can participate in the decision to adopt the new rule and formulation of the proposed rule before publication by contacting Carole Reynolds, Washington State Nursing Commission, P.O. Box 47864, Olympia, WA 98504-7864, phone (360) 236-4785, fax (360) 236-4738, Carole.Reynolds@doh.wa.gov. The NCQAC will notify stakeholders of the rule making by posting the information on the department of health web site and sending notification on the NCQAC listserv. NCQAC will hold stakeholder meetings across the state while developing rules. NCQAC will hold a webinar during each stakeholder meeting to increase access.

May 24, 2016

Paula R. Meyer MSN, RN, FRE

Executive Director, NCQAC