Governor and nursing

meownsmile, BSN, RN · Jul 6, 2005

Guess i wasnt hearing it wrong. Legislation is passed, i got my letter in the mail today anyone else? How nice to know i could have gone to some 3rd world country gotten my nursing education (cheaply i might add) and could now come back and work in Illinois and all i need to do is pass NCLEX.

Wonder how many versions of NCLEX they have? In how many languages do they put the test out in?

It was a nice letter, and the legislation sentance is stuck right in the middle of all the good things they have done regarding funding, buried real deep in the third paragraph.

If anyone has anything to change my opinion of this please by all means enlighten me.

suebird3 · Jul 13, 2005

Meown....Haven't heard anything at all. Where/when did you get this letter? The whole deal doesn't surprise me at all, and no....I WON'T change your opinion!

PS....when will he finally pay out Public Aid funds? I think that should be higher on his list. :angryfire

Trauma Columnist · Jul 13, 2005

I got the letter on Saturday I believe from the Governor of Chicago! (Sorry, a little bitter that our dear governor chooses to reside in Chicago versus the capitol). I live near several nursing colleges and all are planning to hire more staff in order to increase enrollment and decrease waiting time.

**RosesrReder, BSN, MSN, RN** · Jul 13, 2005

Guess i wasnt hearing it wrong. Legislation is passed, i got my letter in the mail today anyone else? How nice to know i could have gone to some 3rd world country gotten my nursing education (cheaply i might add) and could now come back and work in Illinois and all i need to do is pass NCLEX.
Wonder how many versions of NCLEX they have? In how many languages do they put the test out in?
.

I was about to say that. Incredible. This is first I hear about such thing. It saddens and makes me mad too :stone

sunnyjohn · Jul 13, 2005

Can someone post a link?

thank you

suebird3 · Jul 15, 2005

Ok....got "meown" letter from Blag today. Makes me sick....more of our money overseas! :angryfire

meownsmile, BSN, RN · Aug 1, 2005

How true, i wonder how many other states are working these sweet deals. And i might add that it isnt going to do anything to decrease the "nursing shortage" as they put it. We will let them get their license for cheap, they will work in Illinois for a week then move to someplace to get better money to send back to the "family".

I just loved how they buried that sentance deep in the letter. Curious.

I agree our "governor of Chicago" may need some reat tricks to pull out of his hat for a second term. The money the state could save on his travel expenses could pay to complete all these road projects they never seem to have the money for. Nice 4 lane roads that just stop. Or hey maybe we could do something with the elementary school system in this state. Hmmmmmm. Never know there could be some budding nurses out there, but if we cant educate them my guess is they will be standing in the public aide lines.

Uhhgggg, im so negative today, im going back to bed~!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1111

meownsmile, BSN, RN · Aug 1, 2005

Monday August 1, 2005

Home > Articles > Illinois Governor signs new laws to reduce nursing...

Illinois Governor signs new laws to reduce nursing shortages

Press Release

7/28/2005 4:07:43 PM

Laws increase patient safety, create first-in-the-nation externship program, and encourage advanced practice nurses to increase skills

CHICAGO - Delivering on a promise made during his State of the State address last February, Governor Rod R. Blagojevich today signed into law six bills that will help reduce the nursing shortage in Illinois and mean better access to health care across the state. Today's announcement comes on the heels of several administrative actions by the Blagojevich administration to help reduce the nursing shortage, including streamlining the licensing process for nurses, adding funding to the Nurses Education Scholarship Program, and increasing funding for training nurses and other health care professionals.

At Chicago's Mercy Hospital, the Governor signed Senate Bill 1842, which establishes a groundbreaking nursing externship pilot program for Puerto Rican nurses; Senate Bill 2064, which eliminates the pre-test exam for foreign nurses; and Senate Bill 201, which will increase patient safety and reduce the risk of errors by eliminating mandatory overtime for nurses.

The Governor also traveled to Herrin Hospital in Southern Illinois to sign Senate Bill 1626, which allows advanced practice nurses to perform school health exams; House Bill 876, which makes important changes to the advance practice nurse license encouraging advanced practice nurses in Illinois to increase their skills; and House Bill 399, which will allow for a pilot program to protect nurses, other hospital staff and patients from violence in state facilities.

"Nurses are the backbone of health care in this country. They perform exams. They study lab results. They work with doctors on treatment plans. As a patient, you know that the nurse is there to help," said Gov. Blagojevich. "But we have a problem in Illinois - we don't have enough nurses. We have to do everything we can to increase their numbers. That's why I'm signing legislation today that will help us recruit and retain these highly skilled professionals. Health care is a right, not a privilege. And being able to attract and keep the best nurses will make a difference in the long term picture of health care in Illinois."

According to region-by-region numbers put together by the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO), the state currently has a nursing shortage of 7 percent (vacancies vs. jobs filled) and that shortage is projected to grow to almost 8,000 registered nurses and 1,200 licensed practical nurses (per year, projected through 2010). Further, the number of potential caregivers, including nurses, is projected to decrease 4.2 percent, and the number of those who need care is projected to increase by 31 percent between 2000 and 2020.

"Because of Gov. Blagojevich's leadership and the overwhelming support of legislators, this was an incredibly successful year for nursing. INA is pleased that Illinois government officials recognize the value of nurses in the delivery of health care services in Illinois," said Kathy Perry, PhD., RN, President, Illinois Nurses Association.

SB 1842 establishes a first-in-the-nation externship program for registered nurses licensed under the laws of another state or territory of the United States who wish to practice in Illinois and are preparing to take the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX). The law will allow these nurses, primarily from Puerto Rico, to work under the direct supervision of a registered professional nurse licensed in Illinois while they are enrolled in a course which prepares them for the state exam and acclimates them to nursing and health care delivery in our state. In conjunction with SB 2064, it will increase diversity within the nursing profession and prepare nurses educated in a U.S. territory for practice in Illinois. The law, which becomes effective immediately, was sponsored by State Representative Cynthia Soto (D-Chicago) and State Senator Miguel del Valle (D-Chicago).

"Creating opportunities for nurses trained in U.S. territories will increase access to quality health care in communities across the state. Through the use of externships, we not only have more nurses working in Illinois, we can be sure they are well trained and fully qualified," said Rep. Soto.

"There is a critical need for health care providers sensitive to the needs of minority and immigrant communities in Illinois. By offering hands-on training at some of our State's finest institutions, we'll be able to offer new opportunities to nurses trained in U.S. territories and other states," said Sen. Del Valle.

SB 2064 will make Illinois more competitive in attracting new nurses. It clears the way for nurses trained outside of the U.S. to enter the work force faster. Under prior law, these nurses had to pass not only the standard national nurse licensure exam (NCLEX) but also sit for a special test (CGFNS) to become licensed in Illinois. With the CGFNS test only offered four times a year, it was virtually impossible for hospitals in Illinois to successfully recruit foreign trained nurses. The new law will maintain nursing quality because foreign nurses will still have to pass the national exam but will speed up their entry into the workforce. The act sponsored by State Senator Susan Garrett (D-Lake Forest) and State Representative Susana A. Mendoza (D-Chicago) becomes effective immediately.

"The elimination of the Commission on Graduate of Foreign Nursing Schools (CGFNS) examination is long overdue. This predictor exam has been a barrier to entry into nursing practice for the foreign-educated nurses. This law will help foreign-educated nurses experience a seamless entry into professional nursing practice in the state of Illinois," said Jean Lytle, Chicago Bilingual Nurse Consortium.

"With the signing of this critical measure, Illinois will be able to attract more nurses that we so desperately need," said Sen. Garrett.

"The opportunities for nurses in Illinois are almost limitless and I have confidence that this law will allow recent immigrants and other foreign-trained nurses to use their education and experience to care for those in need," said Rep. Mendoza.

SB 201 will also be critical in attracting more nurses to Illinois, and will greatly protect patient safety by reducing the risk for medical errors when staff has worked too many hours. The bill, which eliminates mandatory overtime for nurses, provides that hospitals may mandate a nurse to work overtime only in an unforeseen emergency circumstance. If they must do so, a nurse may not work more than 4 hours beyond her/his regularly scheduled work shift. In addition, a nurse may not be punished for refusing to work overtime, and if a nurse works 12 hours there must be an 8-hour rest period before working again. The bill represents a compromise between the Illinois Nurses Association and the Illinois Hospital Association. State Representative Angelo Saviano (R-Elmwood Park) and State Senator Donne E. Trotter (D-Chicago) co-sponsored SB201.

"This law recognizes that mandatory overtime can put patient care at risk. It can also cause highly skilled nurses to opt out of working at hospitals where they are urgently needed," said Sen. Trotter.

"Too many nurses have faced the challenge of having to work unexpected overtime, often at the expense of family commitments or a much needed break from a stressful work environment. This law will ensure that the nurses on duty have their full attention to the job at hand and are not too tired to do their best work," said Rep. Saviano.

Complete text of this article can be found at http://www.illinois.gov/PressReleases/ShowPressRelease.cfm?SubjectID=1&RecNum=4181.

i think this will work

schroeders_piano, RN · Aug 2, 2005

I don't know what makes me sicker, Governor Rod or the INA. Rod graced my area of the country, Southern Illinois, the other day to sign part of this "great nursing legislation". He surrounded himself with many of the "hardworking nurses of our state." From the media coverage I saw, it was just nurses in administration. Not any of us peon staff nurses that these bills are suppose to help.

As far as the INA goes in supporting any nursing measure in IL, if it's good for Chicago then the INA will support it. There is not a single member in leadership position within the INA from Southern IL. (When I say Southern IL, I mean below I-70) The majority of people in power in INA are from Chicago.

Schroeder.

meownsmile, BSN, RN · Aug 2, 2005

I wholeheartedly agree Schroeder

fireemsmanlpn2 · Aug 24, 2005

i dont think it is going to help a whole lot like it is. But then you have someone that wants to go to a nursing program, falls in the middle of making to little and to much and can't get the help she needs to go to nursing school, does this help her, not that i've been able to see. anyone that can help us find the money for her would be appreciated.