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Health and Community Services June 4, 2008 New Act Enhances Accountability for Nursing Profession The House of Assembly has passed an enhanced Registered Nurses Act laying out new governance structures and disciplinary procedures. These progressive measures will increase public protection and place greater accountability on the part of the nurse and nurse practitioner professions through the professional board � the Association of Registered Nurses of Newfoundland and Labrador (ARNNL). "Improved disciplinary procedures, a streamlined regulation process and detailed ethical requirements on the part of the professionals not only strengthen the authority of the professional board but also ensure safeguards are in place to protect the general public," said the Honourable Ross Wiseman, Minister of Health and Community Services. "These measures we have taken to improve the legislation ultimately enhance the accountability of the profession to the public." The new act covers all nurses and nurse practitioners currently registered in the province. It sets out an open and transparent disciplinary process which is regulated by the ARNNL, granting the association the appropriate investigative powers and authority to investigate allegations of wrong doing by a nursing professional. While nurse practitioners are currently regulated, the act now grants the ARNNL full authority to regulate the practice of nurse practitioners with ministerial approval, and removes the additional step of going through a ministerial committee, thereby streamlining the process for developing regulations for nurse practitioners. The new act also details the ethical duty of nurses or nurse practitioners who observe the misconduct of another colleague to report it to the Director of Professional Conduct Review. The act includes a progressive measure by ensuring the individual who reports the misconduct is protected from any action being taken against them, when acting in good faith. "We are extremely pleased that the Registered Nurses Act has been passed by the House of Assembly," said Jim Feltham, President of the Association of Registered Nurses of Newfoundland and Labrador. "This act, the first complete revision since 1954, will increase transparency and strengthen regulations governing the practice of registered nurses (RNs) and nurses practitioners (NPs) in the province. We would like to thank the Premier, the Minister of Health and Community Services, the Department of Health and Community Services, and everyone who worked with us and provided guidance during this as we developed our legislation, and as it progressed through the legislative process. A modern, comprehensive piece of legislation, the new act will serve the public well for the foreseeable future."The new governance arrangements and disciplinary procedures contained in the act follow similar measures adopted by the Provincial Government and incorporated in other health profession legislation including those for physicians, pharmacists, massage therapists, veterinarians, optometrists, and physiotherapists. Additionally, this legislation complements other measures the Provincial Government has introduced to support the provincial nursing workforce. Budget 2008 includes over $2 million to attract and keep nurses in Newfoundland and Labrador with initiatives such as bursaries for third- and fourth-year nursing students with a one-year return-in-service agreement; relocation allowances to cover 50 per cent of moving costs; and signing bonuses for targeted positions. As well, the Provincial Government will be increasing the number of funded seats in the Schools of Nursing this year by 36, bringing the total number of seats to 291 which includes seats for the LPN bridging program, to increase the supply of nursing graduates in this province. - 30 - Media contacts:
2008 06 04 4:40 p.m.
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