Authorizes temporary licensure of graduated nursing students; waives fees for nurse licensure applicants who work at long-term care facilities.
Impact
Should A1665 be enacted, it will amend existing provisions set forth in P.L.1947, c.262 related to nurse licensure in New Jersey. The bill stipulates that while the temporary license is valid, nursing students are expected to initiate the licensing process for full accreditation, including taking the necessary examinations and background checks. This approach aims to ease the transition for new graduates into the nursing profession by allowing them to apply their skills in practical settings sooner, thereby alleviating some of the pressure on healthcare facilities amid ongoing staff shortages.
Summary
Assembly Bill A1665 introduces a framework for granting temporary nursing licenses to graduates of accredited nursing programs who have not yet reached full licensure as either a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) or Registered Nurse (RN). The primary goal of the bill is to facilitate the entry of newly graduated nursing students into the healthcare workforce, addressing the immediate demand for nursing staff, particularly in long-term care facilities. Under this proposed law, applicants can obtain a temporary license valid for one year, allowing them to begin practicing under the supervision of a licensed RN.
Contention
Despite the potential benefits highlighted by supporters, the bill does raise concerns regarding the supervision of temporarily licensed nurses. Opponents might argue that while this allows for immediate workforce enhancement, it may lead to situations where less experienced practitioners are deployed without sufficient oversight, increasing the risk of patient care issues. Legislation around the support and training provided to newly licensed nurses would be crucial in addressing these concerns. Furthermore, the waiving of licensing fees for applicants employed in long-term care facilities could be a point of contention, raising questions about resource allocation within the state's nursing boards.
Carry Over
Authorizes temporary licensure of graduated nursing students; waives fees for nurse licensure applicants who work at long-term care facilities.
Requires newly licensed registered professional nurse to attain baccalaureate degree in nursing within 10 years of initial licensure as condition of renewal of license.
Requires newly licensed registered professional nurse to attain baccalaureate degree in nursing within 10 years of initial licensure as condition of renewal of license.
Substitute for SB 131 by Committee on Public Health and Welfare - Authorizing the state board of healing arts to issue a sports waiver to practice healing arts professions in this state on a limited basis during certain sporting events, authorizing pharmacy technicians to administer certain vaccines, licensing of professional counselors, social workers, marriage and family therapists, addiction counselors, behavior analysts, psychologists and master's level psychologists, requiring the behavioral sciences regulatory board to process applications within a certain time and establish an expedited application process, establishing license categories for applicants from social work programs in candidacy for accreditation and for temporary reinstatement; extending the license period of temporary licenses, establishing a community-based license for certain licensed professions.
Codifies and extends authorization for certain out-of-State health care practitioners and recent graduates of health care training programs to practice in New Jersey.
Codifies and extends authorization for certain out-of-State health care practitioners and recent graduates of health care training programs to practice in New Jersey.
Requiring the behavioral sciences regulatory board to process applications within a certain time, decreasing the years of practice required for reciprocity licensure of certain behavioral sciences professions, extending the license period for temporary licenses, establishing new license categories and decreasing continuing education requirements related to diagnosis and treatment.
Increasing the membership of the behavioral sciences regulatory board, decreasing the years of practice required for reciprocity licensure of certain professions, extending the license period for temporary licenses, establishing new license categories, providing additional continuing education requirements and requiring that clinical social work supervisors be approved by the board.