[Third 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)
Senator STEPHEN M. SWEENEY
District 3 (Cumberland, Gloucester and Salem)
Senator JOSEPH F. VITALE
District 19 (Middlesex)
Co-Sponsored by:
Assemblywomen McKnight, Jimenez, Assemblyman Armato, Assemblywomen Jasey, Downey, Assemblyman Tully, Assemblywoman Swain, Senators Pou and Weinberg
SYNOPSIS
Requires DOH to establish certain nursing education and professional advancement programs.
CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT
As amended by the General Assembly on March 25, 2021.
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:
3[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.]3
3[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
31. a. The Board of Nursing shall review the current nursing curriculum and education and clinical experience requirements for the completion of a nursing degree and make or recommend such modifications as the board deems appropriate to incorporate, as part of such requirements, the Nursing Home Infection Preventionist Training Course, or any successor course, offered through the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
b. The Board of Nursing shall review the current nursing curriculum and make or recommend such modifications as the board deems appropriate to ensure that licensed practical nurses and registered nurses receive adequate training on post-acute care.3
32. The Department of Health shall review the current education and clinical experience requirements for the certification and professional advancement of certified nurse aides and make or recommend such modifications as the department deems appropriate to incorporate, as part of such requirements, the appropriate portions of the Nursing Home Infection Preventionist Training Course, or any successor course, offered through the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, or a similar course offered through the Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology with respect to infection control or prevention in long-term care facilities, and any additional or supplemental modules or courses as the department deems appropriate.3
3. The Department of Health, in consultation with one or more long-term care facilities in this State 3, or a representative thereof,3 and representatives of labor organizations, shall establish a pilot program to develop standards 3or identify a model that contains standards3 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 3[immediately] on the first day of the sixth month next following the date of enactment3 .