HOUSE BILL REPORT

                  HB 1412

             As Reported By House Committee On:

                         Health Care

Title:  An act relating to the use of the title of nurse as a professionally licensed designation.

Brief Description:  Clarifying who may legally use the title "nurse."

Sponsors:  Representatives Cody, Dyer, Keiser, Zellinsky, Conway, Bush, Kessler, Ogden and Sullivan.

Brief History:

Committee Activity:

Health Care:  2/7/97, 2/27/97 [DPS].

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON HEALTH CARE

Majority Report:  Do pass.  Signed by 10 members:  Representatives Dyer, Chairman; Backlund, Vice Chairman; Skinner, Vice Chairman; Cody, Ranking Minority Member; Murray, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Anderson; Conway; Parlette; Wood and Zellinsky.

Minority Report:  Do not pass.  Signed by 1 member:  Representative Sherstad.

Staff:  John Welsh (786-7133).

Background:  Nurses must be licensed by the Department of Health in order to practice nursing and represent themselves as Alicensed nurses.@  However, the use of the title Anurse@ is not similarly restricted by law.  The categories of nursing licensed by law include licensed practical nurse (LPN), registered nurse (RN), and advanced registered nurse practitioner (ARNP).

The department also registers or certifies Anursing assistants.@

Summary of Substitute Bill:  The use of the title Anurse@ is restricted to licensed nurses, and only licensed nurses may represent themselves as a Anurse.@

Substitute Bill Compared to Original Bill:  Christian Science nurses may use the title AChristian Science nurse@ in connection with their responsibilities.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Not requested.

Effective Date of Substitute Bill:  Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.

Testimony For:  Use of the title Anurse@ should be restricted to only those nurses who are licensed to practice nursing.  The public may otherwise be confused if non-licensed nursing personnel, including registered or certified nursing assistants, respond to their request for nurses.

Testimony Against:  None.

Testified:  Lisa Thatcher, Washington State Nurses Association (pro); Ellie Menzies, Service Employees Union #1199 (pro); and Cliff Armstrong, Christian Science Churches (pro if amended).