Rhode Island Senate Bill S2472

Rhode Island 2022 Regular Session

• Introduced: 3/1/22
• Refer: 3/1/22

Caption

Nurse Licensure Compact

Impact

This legislation seeks to remedy the cumbersome and duplicative licensing process currently faced by nurses who wish to work across state lines. By creating uniform licensure requirements and simplifying the application process, S2472 promotes public safety and streamlines healthcare delivery by increasing the availability of qualified nursing personnel. Moreover, the bill implies an increase in collaboration among states, facilitating the exchange of regulatory information which has the potential to enhance accountability across the nursing profession.

Summary

S2472, known as the Nurse Licensure Compact, aims to amend and enhance the existing interstate nurse licensure compact to facilitate a more unified approach towards nurse licensure across different states. The bill allows nurses to hold a multistate license, permitting them to practice in multiple states without the need for separate licenses in each state. This aligns with the growing mobility of healthcare professionals and modern communication technologies, which demand an effective and flexible nursing workforce to address health and safety needs efficiently.

Contention

Despite its aims to enhance the efficiency of the nursing workforce, the compact also raises notable concerns among legislators and stakeholders. Critics argue that it might dilute state-specific licensure standards, thereby threatening the regulatory sovereignty of individual states over professional nursing practices. Others express fears that it may complicate accountability measures when dealing with nurses who have multi-state registrations. These contentions underscore the balance between the need for a flexible workforce and the imperative of maintaining high standards of public health and safety.