S-1452               _______________________________________________

                                         SUBSTITUTE SENATE BILL NO. 5181

                        _______________________________________________

State of Washington                               51st Legislature                              1989 Regular Session

By Senate Committee on Health Care & Corrections (originally sponsored by Senators West, Conner, Patterson, Sellar, McMullen, Barr, Metcalf, Vognild, Benitz, Anderson, Bauer and Niemi)

Read first time 2/6/89.

AN ACT Relating to development of standards for nurses' training; and creating new sections.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:

NEW SECTION. Sec. 1.     The legislature finds that a current shortage of nurses exists in many areas of the state as well as in certain nurse specialties.  Surveys of nurses in Washington state evidenced a need for more accessible education for advancement to higher levels of practice.

          The legislature declares that there is a need for the development of a state-wide plan for nursing education to meet the educational needs of nurses and the health care needs of the citizens of Washington state.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 2.     The higher education coordinating board, in consultation with at least the state board of nursing, the state board of practical nursing, representatives of the state board for community college education, the superintendent of public instruction, public and private nursing education, health care facilities, and practicing nurses, shall develop a state-wide plan to be implemented no later than January 1, 1992.  The plan shall provide for:

          (1) Geographic availability of nursing education and training programs;

          (2) Curriculum standards for each type of nursing education and training program;

          (3) Procedures to facilitate optimal transfer or granting of course credit; and

          (4) The use of evaluation processes, which may include challenge exams, to maximize opportunities for receiving credit for both knowledge and clinical skills.

          The higher education coordinating board shall submit a plan to the legislature by December 1, 1990.  The board shall make a progress report to the senate and house of representatives standing committees on health care by December 1, 1989.