Year in Review
Medical Cannabis Act . In Spring 2016 , Senate Bill 3 , " The Medical Cannabis Act ," was signed into law . This Act provides for the medical use of cannabis in Pennsylvania for the treatment of certain medical conditions . The bill allows for licensed growers , processors , and dispensers . Medical cannabis may be mixed into food and drinks to assist with ingestion . However , food mixed with medical cannabis may not be sold . PSNA was successful in having CRNPs included into the bill . This language includes a written agreement in collaboration with a physician . PSNA was unsuccessful in having RNs included in the language to oversee dispensing of cannabis .
Safe Nurse Staffing Legislation . PSNA ’ s Safe Staffing initiative amends Pennsylvania ’ s Health Care Facilities Act by providing for professional nurse staffing standards . It empowers nurses to create patientsafety staffing plans aimed at reducing medical errors , saving lives , and confronting chronic understaffing . Rather than create a ratio approach , this will create a committee of at least 50 % bedside nurses and 50 % other personnel . It requires a 66 % vote on final adoption of staffing plans . The model will consider variables ( for example , patient acuity , unit layout , and ancillary support ) to determine the appropriate number , skills , experience , and education of the nurses on a given unit . The legislation was referred to the House Health Committee . Safe Nurse Staffing will be re-introduced in 2017 .
CNO of the Commonwealth . It is imperative that RNs work as full partners with physicians and other health professionals to realize the goals of healthcare reform . Governor-appointed cabinet officials and committee members lack the engagement of RNs - the largest ( and most trusted ) segment of providers . House Bill 389 adds language to establish the office of the Chief Nursing Officer of the Commonwealth within the Department of Health . Representative Donna Oberlander has agreed to re-introduce this legislation in 2017 .
Registered Nurse Delegation . Did you know that the Commonwealth lacks specific delegation language in the Nurse Practice Act ? Nurses are educated and accountable for the nursing care provided to healthcare consumers . In addition , they retain accountability for patient outcomes associated with delegation . House Bill 479 amends the Professional Nursing Law by allowing RNs to delegate nursing functions when certain conditions are met . This unanimously passed the House Health Committee on April 4 , 2016 . PSNA will re-introduce this legislation in 2017 .
NFP Awards $ 28,000 in Scholarships . In June 2016 , the Nursing Foundation of Pennsylvania ( NFP ) awarded $ 28,000 in scholarships to 18 nursing students in Pennsylvania . These scholarships included the : ( 1 ) Florence Grady-Fasick Scholarship Fund ; ( 2 ) NFP Future Nurse Leader ; ( 3 ) Jack E . Barger , Sr . Scholarship ; and ( 4 ) Alumni Association Scholarship Fund of the Former Albert Einstein Medical Center Nursing School of Philadelphia . A special thank you is extended to the members of NFP ’ s Scholarship Review Committee : Marilyn Harris , Margarete Zalon , Zane Wolf , and Christine Alichnie . If you would like information on arranging a scholarship legacy , contact tbrown @ psna . org .
Child Abuse : What You Need to Know . Mandated reporters — as well as those applying for initial licensure — need documented hours of child abuse education approved by the Pennsylvania Department of Public Welfare . Child Abuse : An Overview for Mandated Reporters is a State-approved online program free to PSNA members . In 2016 , PSNA provided more than 4,500 health professionals with child abuse education through online and in-person education . If your organization is interested in a face-to-face educational program , contact mshenberger @ psna . org .
Winter 2016 Pennsylvania Nurse 3