Enhanced Nursing Legislation Passed Out of Committee
Just like many of you, I have an immense respect for our nursing professionals, who so selflessly dedicate themselves to caring for the sick, injured and dying. They strive to comfort and heal, while often seeing us at our absolute worst, and I am very grateful for the skill and compassion they deliver to Missourians on a daily basis. That is why, from my very first term in office, I have been working to improve the issues facing Missouri’s nursing professionals.
Five years ago, I sponsored Senate Bill 325 to address a problem that was affecting a nursing home in our area. As you may remember, a nurse lost her license after failing to pay taxes; however, she did not inform her employer and continued to work. When the issue came to light months later, the nursing home was fined $60,000 for employing an unlicensed worker. Senate Bill 325, which is now law, created a requirement for the Division of Professional Registration to notify any known, current employer of a change in a nurse’s license or disciplinary status.
In continuing with my efforts, this year I filed Senate Bill 985 to establish a new version of the existing Nursing Licensure Compact (NLC). The mobility of nurses and the use of advanced communication technologies as part of our nation’s health care delivery system have expanded drastically in recent years. What has not expanded is the coordination and cooperation among states in the areas of nurse licensure and regulation.
The current system of duplicative licensure for nurses practicing in multiple states is cumbersome and redundant to both states and nurses. A more widespread uniformity of licensure requirements will promote greater public safety and public health benefits. The enhanced NLC allows for registered nurses (RNs) and licensed practical/vocational nurses (LPN/NVs) to have one multistate license, with the privilege to practice in their home state and other NLC states.
In 2009, Missouri became the 24th state to adopt the NLC. Only one additional state has joined since then. The enhanced NLC will become effective on either the date of legislative enactment by no less than 26 states or Dec. 31, 2018, whichever occurs first. Until then, Missouri will continue to operate off the current compact. Senate Bill 985 was voted out of committee on Monday and is now headed to the floor for debate.
On a final note, both SB 325 and the NLC have been drivers in creating a free e-notification system that enables employers to obtain real-time alerts anytime modifications are made to a nurse’s record. For example, if a nurse’s license is about to expire, the system sends a notification to the institution about the expiration date. Or, if a nurse is disciplined by a board of nursing, his or her institution immediately learns about the disciplinary action.
If you have any questions or comments about this or any other matter regarding your state government, please feel free to contact me at (573) 751-1503; you are also welcome to e-mail me at jay.wasson@senate.mo.gov.
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