[Second Reprint]

ASSEMBLY, No. 5059

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

219th LEGISLATURE

INTRODUCED NOVEMBER 19, 2020

Sponsored by:

Assemblyman  HERB CONAWAY, JR.

District 7 (Burlington)

Assemblywoman  VALERIE VAINIERI HUTTLE

District 37 (Bergen)

Assemblyman  DANIEL R. BENSON

District 14 (Mercer and Middlesex)

Co-Sponsored by:

Assemblywoman McKnight

SYNOPSIS

     Requires DOH to establish certain nursing education and professional advancement programs.

CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT

     As reported by the Assembly Appropriations Committee on February 24, 2021, with amendments.

An Act concerning nursing education and professional advancement and supplementing Title 26 of the Revised Statutes.

Be It Enacted by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:

      1.   a.     The Department of Health, in consultation with the Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology, shall develop an infection prevention course specifically designed for ¹licensed practical nurses and¹ registered nurses employed in a long-term care facility.  The Department of Health shall develop methods to encourage and incentivize ¹licensed practical nurses and¹ registered nurses to complete the infection prevention course.  The infection prevention course shall include, but shall not be limited to, instruction on the following topics:

      (1)  modes of transmission, incubation periods, host resistance, and susceptibility to various infections and communicable diseases;

      (2)  appropriate measures to prevent the spread of infection;

      (3)  processes used to sterilize, disinfect, and sanitize a health care facility;

      (4)  management and communication skills necessary for the coordination of an effective infection prevention program;

      (5)  regulations which govern infection prevention practice; and

      (6)  criteria for identifying health care associated infections in patients.

      b.   (1)   The Department of Health, in consultation with the Board of Nursing, shall review ²the current² nursing curriculum and develop methods to encourage ²licensed practical nurses and² registered nurses to enroll in ¹education and training on¹ post-acute care ¹[residency programs]¹; and

      (2)  The Department of Health, in consultation with the Board of Nursing, shall review the educational and clinical experience requirements for the completion of a nursing degree and determine if the requirements should be modified to better prepare ²licensed practical nurses and² registered nurses to work in post-acute care settings.

      2.   a.   The Department of Health shall develop an infection prevention course for certified nurse aides.  The Department of Health shall include the infection prevention course as a required component of annual in-service education for certified nurse aides.  The infection prevention course shall include, but shall not be limited to, instruction on the following topics:

      (1)  modes of transmission, incubation periods, host resistance, and susceptibility to various infections and communicable diseases;

      (2)  appropriate measures to prevent the spread of infection;

      (3)  processes used to sterilize, disinfect, and sanitize a health care facility;

      (4)  management and communication skills necessary for the coordination of an effective infection prevention program;

      (5)  regulations which govern infection prevention practice; and

      (6)  criteria for identifying health care associated infections in patients.

      b.   The Department of Health shall review ²the² current certified nurse aide curriculum, incorporate an infection prevention component into the curriculum, and make any other necessary modifications to the curriculum.

     3.    The Department of Health, in consultation with one or more long-term care facilities in this State and representatives of labor organizations, shall establish a pilot program to develop standards for the professional advancement of certified nurse aides.  The standards for the professional advancement of certified nurse aides may be based on:  previous work experience, education level, participation in educational opportunities, training, and work performance. The standards for the professional advancement of certified nurse aides may also be based on any applicable out-of-State models for the professional advancement of certified nurse aides.

     4.    The Commissioner of Health shall adopt rules and regulations, in accordance with the “Administrative Procedure Act,” P.L.1968, c.410 (C.52:14B-1 et seq.), as are necessary to effectuate the provisions of this act.

     5.    This act shall take effect immediately.