House Bill 389, Chief Nursing Officer of the Commonwealth

Please read the announcement from Kevin J. Busher, Director of Government Affairs, Pennsylvania State Nurses Association (PSNA):   

I wanted to bring your attention to House Bill 389, Chief Nursing Officer of the Commonwealth, which is slated to be voted on in the Health Committee as soon as next week. In committee there will be an amendment offered that uses the term Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN). PSNA fully supports the inclusion of this language and this language only. Here is PSNA reasoning behind support of this provision, although early nursing practice focused on the tasks of caring for individuals, the last four decades have seen nursing emerge as a leading profession in research, development, and analysis of all aspects of health care. Nurses now must sit as equal partners in the pursuit of quality, patient-focused care for health promotion, disease management and care coordination.

For example, The Magnet Recognition Program® recognizes health care organizations for quality patient care, nursing excellence and innovations in professional nursing practice. Consumers rely on Magnet designation as the ultimate credential for high quality nursing. Developed by American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), Magnet is the leading source of successful nursing practices and strategies worldwide.
The Program requires the following educational preparation for nurses:

80% of all nurses must have a degree in nursing (baccalaureate or graduate degree) by 2020

100% of nurse leaders and nurse managers overseeing other registered nurses and other healthcareproviders in care areas must have a degree in nursing (baccalaureate or graduate degree)

Chief nursing officers must have a minimum of a master's degree. If the master's degree is not in nursing, then either a baccalaureate or doctoral degree must be in nursing.

Furthermore, The 2010 Eighth Annual Report to the Secretary of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and the U.S. Congress by the National Advisory Council on Nurse Education and Practice recommends:

The U.S. Congress, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and U.S. Department of Education should work with U.S. nursing programs to support the goal of having all registered nurses prepared at the baccalaureate in nursing (BSN) or higher degree level to improve quality and safety in healthcare in the United States

Finally, the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) recognizes the Bachelor of Science degree in nursing as the minimum educational requirement for professional nursing practice.

I have included the amendment to this email, to project unity surrounding HB 389 and the amendment, please send me your support as soon as possible.