S-845                 _______________________________________________

                                                   SENATE BILL NO. 5181

                        _______________________________________________

State of Washington                               51st Legislature                              1989 Regular Session

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

Read first time 1/18/89 and referred to Committee on Health Care & Corrections.

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.  One reason for the shortage is the difficulty nurses face when attempting to acquire additional training to advance in their careers.  Nurse education and training programs currently do not have standards to permit transfer of credits between programs or recognition of practical work experience.

          The legislature declares that the development of standards for nurses' training would remove barriers for nurses and increase the supply of nurses to meet current shortage needs.

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 from nurse training programs in the state, and health care facilities who employ nurses and practicing nurses, shall develop a state-wide plan to be implemented at institutions of higher education no later than January 1, 1992.  The plan shall provide for:  (1) Standardization of nurse training and nurse education course content, (2) the development of standards for transfer of course credit, (3) the development of standards for credit for relevant work experience, and (4) the use of challenge examinations.

          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.