SENATE BILL REPORT

SB 5181

BYSenators West, Conner, Patterson, Sellar, McMullen, Barr, Metcalf, Vognild, Benitz, Anderson, Bauer and Niemi

Providing for standardization of nurse training and nurse education course content.

Senate Committee on Health Care & Corrections

Senate Hearing Date(s):January 26, 1989; February 2, 1989

Majority Report:  That Substitute Senate Bill No. 5181 be substituted therefor, and the substitute bill do pass.

      Signed by Senators West, Chairman; Smith, Vice Chairman; Amondson, Johnson, Niemi.

Senate Staff:Scott Plack (786-7409)

                  February 16, 1989

AS REPORTED BY COMMITTEE ON HEALTH CARE & CORRECTIONS, FEBRUARY 2, 1989

BACKGROUND:

There currently is a shortage of nurses in many areas of the state as well as in certain nurse specialties areas.  Nurse education and training articulation has been identified as one source of the problem.  The content of nurse coursework is not standardized among training programs offering the same degree or level of training.  Coursework obtained through one program may not be transferable to another program or counted towards a higher level degree.

During its examination of current problems in the delivery of health care to rural areas of the state, the Washington Rural Health Care Commission recommended standardization of nurse training and education course content as a way to increase the supply of nurses.

SUMMARY:

The Higher Education Coordinating Board, in consultation with the State Board of Nursing, the State Board of Practical Nursing and representatives from nurse training programs and others, is directed to develop a plan providing for standardized nurse training and education course content, standards for transfer of credit between training and education programs, standards for granting credit for relevant experience and the use of challenge examinations.

The plan is to be implemented in institutions of higher education by January 1, 1992.  It is to be submitted to the standing Senate and House health care committees as required by December 1, 1990, with a progress report due by December 1, 1989.

EFFECT OF PROPOSED SUBSTITUTE:

The State Board for Community College Education and the Superintendent of Public Instruction are added to the list of entities the Higher Education Coordinating Board will consult with in developing the statewide plan.

The plan shall provide for geographic availability of training and education programs, curriculum standards, procedures to facilitate transfer or granting of credit and the use of evaluation processes to maximize opportunities for receiving credit for knowledge and clinical skills.

Appropriation:    none

Revenue:    none

Fiscal Note:      requested January 18, 1989

Senate Committee - Testified: Tim Strege, Council of Vocational Technical Institutes; Lou Sawyer, Clover Park Voc-Tech Institute; Dr. John Anderson, Commission WRHA (pro); Dr. Stephen Kriebel, Washington State Medical Association (pro); Beverly Lingle, Washington State University; Celia L. Hartley, Sue Hegyvary, Maria Mansell, Kay Korthuis, School of Nursing Seattle University; Tom Martin, Lincoln Hospital District (pro); Patty Joynes, Washington State Nurses Association (pro)