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New
York looks at tougher requirements for RNs
April 21, 2004 Anne Goldman A proposal for the state to toughen requirements for Registered Nurses will be carefully weighed by the union's Health Care Professionals Council on April 23. The state Board of Nursing is looking at a plan to require new RNs with associate's degrees to earn bachelor degrees within 10 years — or else have their RN certifications downgraded to that of Licensed Practical Nurse. The scope of practice for an RN is different than that of an LPN. The pay scale is lower for LPNs. An RN requires at least a two-year college degree; an LPN is required to complete at least a nine-month program. The State Education Department, which oversees the nursing board, is talking about the proposal. To be enacted, it would require action by the Board of Regents and the Legislature. Assessments Before any recommendation is made, said SED spokesman Tom Dunn, an "in-depth assessment of the need for change and consequences to all stakeholders would occur." The New York State United Teachers' Health Care Professionals Council will do its own assessment, with input from its health care members at the April 23 meeting. Anne Goldman, chairwoman of the health council and nursing representative to the United Federation of Teachers in New York City, said council members will consider issues such as the nursing shortage, compensation, and recruitment and retention of nurses. "While everyone would like to obtain the highest level of education," said Goldman, it would be difficult for nurses working long shifts — sometimes facing mandatory overtime — to attend school while still working. Alan Lubin, NYSUT executive vice president, said any proposal to upgrade education must be looked at in the context of a shortage of faculty to teach nursing, due to years of belt-tightening at the state and city universities. Any nursing proposal is serious because "aging demographics makes nursing and everything related to health care a key issue," Lubin said. – Liza Frenette |
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