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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 21, 2006
Contact: Tracy Polovick
Coordinator of Communications and Outreach
(717) 787-8524
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Vance Bill to Boost Patient Safety, Quality of Care Sent to Governor

HARRISBURG – Legislation bolstering patient safety and the quality of care received by patients through continuing education requirements for nurses is headed to the governor's desk.

The House today approved the measure sponsored by Sen. Pat Vance (R-Cumberland/York). The governor has 10 days to sign it.

"Nurses are vital in guaranteeing patients receive necessary and appropriate care," said Vance, a nurse. "This legislation makes sense as a 2002 law required physicians to complete 100 hours of continuing education every two years. Nurses will benefit from a similar requirement as doctors through this bill."

Senate Bill 235 would amend the Professional Nursing Law to require nurses to obtain 30 hours of continuing education every two years as a condition of license renewal. Nationally certified education courses can be applied to the requirement. The State Board of Nursing can waive the continuing education requirement for those suffering a serious illness, serving in the military or having other hardship.

Vance's district includes all of Cumberland County and Carroll, Fairview, Franklin, Monaghan, Warrington and Washington townships and Dillsburg, Franklintown and Wellsville boroughs in York County.