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House Co-Sponsorship Memoranda
House of Representatives
Session of 2015 - 2016
Regular Session
MEMORANDUM
| Posted: | February 2, 2015 10:09 AM |
|---|---|
| From: | Representative Florindo J. Fabrizio |
| To: | All House members |
| Subject: | Delegation of Nursing Care Tasks |
| In the near future I plan to introduce legislation to amend the act of May 22, 1951 (P.L. 317, No. 69), known as the Professional Nursing Law to give registered nurses the authority to delegate certain nursing care tasks. Current law does not permit registered nurses to delegate nursing care tasks, leaving many of them stretched to the limit in this chaotic healthcare environment. Increasing numbers of people needing healthcare combined with increasing complexity of therapies create a tremendous demand for nursing care. What’s more, there is presently more nursing to do than there are nurses to do it, according to the American Nurses Association (ANA). More than ever, registered nurses need to work effectively with assistive personnel. The abilities to delegate, assign, and supervise are critical competencies for the 21st century nurse, according to the ANA. Delegation unburdens registered nurses from unnecessary work others can do, while they retaining accountability for care and outcomes. With increased complexity of patients, nurses, with greater reason, must use their critical thinking skills to evaluate the type of care, circumstances, and competence of assistive caregivers prior to delegation. My legislation aims to alleviate the burden that many of our registered nurses are carrying on a daily basis by providing them with the ability to delegate tasks that do not require nursing judgment or substantial skill. Please join me in co-sponsoring this important legislation. |
Introduced as HB479