governor rendell signs senate bill 235 requiring continuing education for nurses
senate bill 235, sponsored by sen. patricia h. vance (r-cumberland/york), amends the professional nursing law (act 69 of 1951) by providing for continuing nursing education.
the bill requires the nursing board to distribute and enforce rules and regulations for continuing nursing education, including fees as necessary. it requires nurse licensees to attend and complete 30 hours of mandatory continuing education during each two-year licensing period, except for first-time licensees who will be exempt from the requirement of the first license period. the bill provides that the board may waive all or a portion of the requirement for a licensee who can demonstrate inability to meet the requirement due to serious illness, military service or other hardship. for a person seeking re-licensure after an inactive or lapsed period, the bill requires compliance with the requirement for the previous two-year period.
the bill also provides that certified registered nurse practitioners and dietetics-nutrition licensees will fulfill their respective qualification requirements under the act, which includes continuing education.
sb 235 further provides that school nurses who are certified as educational specialists and already subject to fulfill continuing professional education requirements will be permitted to submit evidence of completion of education courses approved for their certification by the school district.
the bill passed the senate 49-0 and the house 192-4. the bill is effective in 60 days.
