Nurses Union Applauds Passing of SB 294 Nurse Practitioners Bill

April 2009

Nurses union officer testifies at Business and Professions committee meeting,
aiding in the passage of bill to clarify the scope of practice for nurse practitioners

Sacramento, CA – The United Nurses Associations of California/Union of Health Care Professionals (UNAC/UHCP) State Secretary, Barbara Blake, RN, testified at the California Senate Business and Professions Committee yesterday, Monday, April 13, in support of SB 294 to clarify the scope of practice for nurse practitioners. The bill passed in committee.

“California holds more restrictive regulations than any other state on the nurse practitioner (NP) scope of practice,” said Blake. “NPs are highly trained and prove to be valuable additions to the health care team and help improve access for patients. NPs should have the opportunity to exercise all of their skills to provide the highest quality of patient care possible, and SB 294 will help our health care system more effectively utilize NPs existing skill set.”

SB 294 will clarify the NP scope of practice to include: the signing of disability certification for patients who need documentation for their employers; being able to order durable medical equipment; and placing orders for treatment in home care environments.

“These artificial barriers to the NP scope of practice are an ineffective use of existing resources, particularly considering the current staffing shortage in hospitals,” stated Blake. “If the health care system is going to become more efficient, we have to best utilize all of our resources.”

The United Nurses Associations of California/Union of Health Care Professionals represents 16,000 nurses and other health care professionals. UNAC/UHCP, as the association is known, is affiliated with the National Union of Hospital and Health Care Employees and the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, AFL-CIO. For more information on, visit www.unac-ca.org.

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