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President’s Message – November 2009

November 2009

Welcome to our new look! We are making significant improvements in how we communicate with our members, so we hope you enjoy the new format and appreciate your feedback at Voice@unacuhcp.org. As always, our goal is to make sure our members have access to the most current information impacting our professions. We are also redesigning the UNAC/UHCP website and anticipate launching it before the end of the year. In the meantime, please continue to visit our current website at www.unac-ca.org.

Reforming the BRN

At a recent California Senate Business, Professions and Economic Development Committee meeting, I addressed some recommendations to improve the enforcement program at the Board of Registered Nursing (BRN). I supported structural changes to promote effective patient protections and due process, including increased interdepartmental collaboration, dividing healthcare and non-healthcare board enforcement, and updating data management methods. However, I remain concerned about three key issues: BRN funding, the Diversion program and maintaining due process.

I called for an immediate end to the BRN's state-mandated furloughs because the Board's funding comes from your annual license renewal fees, not the General Fund. I agreed that an increase in RN licensing fees was necessary after 18 years; however, the increase and how it will be spent must be determined first to ensure accountability.

The Diversion program is as vital a resource to the public as it is to RNs suffering from addiction because the program incorporates a monitoring function that would not otherwise exist. Diversion is an RN's last chance to continue their career in nursing, or face license suspension. I recommended an auditing process to allow time to correct inefficiencies and implement best practices.

Finally, I stressed the need for due process to guarantee that the basic civil rights of every accused nurse are protected. Each BRN case must be considered on its own merits and valid complaints should include an element of remediation. Due process and consumer protection are not mutually exclusive.

We strongly support correcting BRN enforcement and will continue to provide valuable recommendations to help improve this critical public safety system.

In solidarity,
Kathy J. Sackman, RN

Previous Messages

President’s Message – Fall 2015 Oct 2015
President’s Message – July 2015 Jul 2015
President’s Message – May 2015 May 2015
President’s Message – March 2015 Mar 2015
President’s Message – January 2015 Jan 2015
President’s Message – November 2014 Nov 2014
President’s Message – September 2014 Sep 2014
President’s Message – July 2014 Jul 2014
President’s Message – May 2014 May 2014
President’s Message – March 2014 Mar 2014
President’s Message – January 2014 Feb 2014
President’s Message – July 2013 Jul 2013
President’s Message – May 2013 Jun 2013
President’s Message – March 2013 Mar 2013
President’s Message – January 2013 Jan 2013
President’s Message – November 2012 Nov 2012
President’s Message – September 2012 Oct 2012
President’s Message – July 2012 Aug 2012
President’s Message – June 2012 Jun 2012
President’s Message – March 2012 Mar 2012
President’s Message – January 2012 Jan 2012
President’s Message – October 2011 Oct 2011
President’s Message – July 2011 Jul 2011
President’s Message – June 2011 Jun 2011
President’s Message – April 2011 Apr 2011
President’s Message – February 2011 Feb 2011
President’s Message – December 2010 Dec 2010
President’s Message – September 2010 Sep 2010
President’s Message – July 2010 Jul 2010
President’s Message – March 2010 Mar 2010
President’s Message – January 2010 Jan 2010
Testimony at the Senate Business, Professions and Economic Development Committee Meeting Aug 2009
Kathy J. Sackman | Make a Difference Video Aug 2009