California’s bill addressing the school nurse shortage has been sent to Newsom.
A California Bill Aims to Address School Nurse Shortage
A California bill that aims to alleviate the state’s school nurse shortage by giving school districts greater flexibility when hiring nurses is one step away from becoming law.
Assembly Bill 1722, introduced by Assemblywoman Megan Dahle (R-Bieber) in February, would allow school districts to hire licensed vocational nurses when credentialed school nurses are unavailable.
The bill was unanimously passed by the Assembly in May, and again unanimously by the Senate in early September and sent Sept. 22 to Gov. Gavin Newsom, who has until Oct. 14 to sign the bill into law or veto it.
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Licensed vocational nurses are those who have completed a vocational nursing certificate program, which is usually offered at community colleges and takes about a year to complete. They practice under the supervision of registered nurses, who typically hold either an associate or bachelor’s degree in nursing, which typically takes two or three years of schooling.
According to the bill, licensed vocational nurses would practice at schools under the supervision of a credentialed school nurse employed by the same district. Credentialed school nurses are typically registered nurses who have also earned school nurse credentials from the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing.
Additionally, rural schools are more likely to lack school nurse support than those located in cities, towns, or suburbs, according to the assemblywoman.
“One school district I represent has gone without a school nurse for 3 years and others share a health clerk who is contracted for 2 hours a week,” she said. “As a result, the reality for our students means going without a school nurse, school staff without medical training are the ones applying bandages, dispensing medication, managing allergies, asthma, monitoring blood glucose levels, and handling medical emergencies.”
The Small School Districts Association echoed Ms. Dahle’s concerns in a September statement, calling the school nurse shortage a “pressing need” for rural districts.
“There is a pressing need to augment our capabilities given the current challenges posed by a growing nurse shortage,” the association said. “By utilizing licensed vocational nurses under the appropriate supervision, we can broaden our resources without compromising the quality of care provided to our students.”
The bill has garnered support from other education groups—including the Association of California School Administrators and the California School Boards Association—as well as parents and community members.
The association said, in a statement included in the analysis, it opposes the bill because it is concerned that it could be used to “circumvent” some recent labor agreements for credentialed school nurses’ salary increases by hiring licensed vocational nurses instead.
The union instead argued they believed restricting the bill’s provisions “specifically to rural counties of a certain size provides a more immediate solution for rural counties and prevents larger local educational agencies from utilizing the provisions of the bill to hire lower salaried employees.”
How do supporters of Assembly Bill 1722 believe that including licensed vocational nurses can help address the shortage of school nurses in California
. “There have been instances of students being diagnosed with diabetes or asthma without the presence of a nurse,” she added.
The bill seeks to address these issues by allowing school districts to hire licensed vocational nurses when credentialed school nurses are unavailable. This would provide schools with additional medical support and ensure that students receive the necessary healthcare services.
Opponents of the bill argue that licensed vocational nurses do not have the same level of expertise as credentialed school nurses and may not be capable of handling complex medical situations. They believe that compromising on the qualifications of school nurses puts the health and well-being of students at risk.
However, supporters of the bill argue that in instances where there is a severe shortage of credentialed school nurses, having licensed vocational nurses is better than having no nurse at all. They believe that licensed vocational nurses can still provide basic healthcare services and administer medications under the supervision of a credentialed nurse.
The bill has received support from various organizations, including the California School Nurses Organization and the California Association of School Nurses. These organizations believe that the bill is an important step towards addressing the school nurse shortage in the state.
If signed into law, Assembly Bill 1722 would provide school districts with greater flexibility when hiring nurses and help alleviate the shortage of school nurses in California. It would ensure that students have access to the healthcare services they need while attending school.
The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the importance of school nurses in ensuring the health and safety of students. As schools reopen and students return to in-person learning, having an adequate number of school nurses is crucial to effectively respond to any health issues that may arise.
It is now up to Governor Gavin Newsom to sign the bill into law or veto it. With unanimous support from the Assembly and the Senate, there is hope that the bill will receive the governor’s approval and become a law.
Addressing the school nurse shortage in California is a critical step towards prioritizing the health and well-being of students. By providing schools with greater flexibility in hiring nurses, Assembly Bill 1722 aims to ensure that no student goes without the necessary medical support while at school.
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