Due to the recent storms that have caused havoc in the Harrisburg area we are experiencing technical issues with the PSNA CE site as well as the District Leadership Administration site. Our IT team is currently working to get both sites up and running as soon as possible.

The Department of Health today announced that the new application for registering a tanning facility with the department, per the requirements of Act 41 of 2014, is now available on the department’s website, along with a frequently asked questions document and additional information about the new law.

Act 41 of 2014, also known as the Indoor Tanning Regulation Act, took effect on July 7, 2014. Per the law, an individual, corporation, partnership, proprietorship or association operating a tanning facility must apply for a certificate of registration with the department for each tanning facility location that is operating in the commonwealth. Any place where a tanning device is used for a fee, membership or any other compensation is considered a tanning facility.

PSNA strongly supported HB 1259 and stood with Governor Corbett during the bill’s ceremonial signing last month.

“Nurses are a leading voice for patient safety and policy change,” states PSNA Chief Executive Officer Betsy M. Snook, MEd, BSN, RN. “Research shows that indoor ultraviolet tanning is a major public health issue. Fifty-five percent of college students have used indoor ultraviolet tanners and more than 419,000 new skin cancers are attributed to indoor tanning each year. This legislation takes a positive step in protecting young people from the unhealthy effects of tanning.”

For additional information and to download the application, visit www.health.state.pa.us. Questions regarding the registration application can be directed to the department’s Bureau of Community Program Licensure and Certification at 717-783-8665.

PSNA has enjoyed the most successful legislative session in years. Thank you to our members who have contacted their State legislators in order to successfully advocate for the profession and your patients. As you can see from this robust list, they can hear you now!

Safe Staffing Resolution (HR 920). (Passed 173-29 and Enacted): This resolution directs the Joint State Government Commission to study the issue of professional bedside nurse staffing. The Commission will report to the House of Representatives with its findings and recommendations to implement changes in State laws, practices, policies and procedures related to safe nurse staffing.

Indoor Tanning Regulation (HB 1259). Now Act 41 of 2014, this legislation was signed into law on May 5, 2014. This requires tanning facilities to be registered with the Department of Health. The DOH may access any tanning facility to inspect and determine whether the facility is in compliance with this act. It is required that warning signs and statements regarding the dangers of UV radiation and safety precautions must be posted. Only tanning devices manufactured and certified under 21 CFR 1040.20 (relating to sunlamp products and ultraviolet lamps intended for use in sunlamp products) may be used in tanning facilities. Any person age 16 or younger is prohibited from using a tanning facility; written authorization from a parent or guardian is required for 17 year olds.

Medical Cannabis (SB 1182). (Passed Senate Law and Justice Committee): The Governor Raymond Shafer Compassionate Use of Medical Cannabis Act establishes the Medical Cannabis Board to oversee the distribution and use of medical cannabis in Pennsylvania. The legislation exempts from prosecution any person who carries a valid medical cannabis identification card and provides a rebuttable presumption that the carrier of such a card is engaged in the legal use of medical cannabis. The act provides the necessary requirements for an affirmative defense regarding the medical use of cannabis if prosecution is brought against a user and prohibits the use of medical cannabis to persons under the age of 18 except in certain enumerated circumstances. The bill provides exemption from prosecution for caregivers, medical professionals and certain persons in personal proximity to the valid user of medical cannabis. The board is tasked with creating a medical cannabis identification card and a central registry of cardholders. The process and procedure for application and receipt of the medical cannabis identification card are provided. The legislation exempts the central registry from the Right-to-Know law and provides for the establishment of Compassionate Care Centers for the distribution of medical cannabis. The centers shall be licensed and operated by a registered nurse, who is authorized by the board. The act also allows for commercial cannabis farmers, manufacturers and transporters. The legislation prohibits the operation of a motor vehicle, heavy machinery and other enumerated devices while using medical cannabis and further limits the locations where medical cannabis can be used. Reports by the board, sovereign immunity, and the duties of the Pennsylvania State Police are also detailed. Related repeals are made. Effective in 90 days.

Lyme Disease (SB 177). Act 83 of 2014, the Lyme and Related Tick-Borne Disease Surveillance, Education, Prevention and Treatment Act requires the Department of Health to establish a task force on Lyme Disease and related tick-borne diseases. The task force will investigate issues related to Lyme Disease and make recommendations to the DOH. The bill provides for composition and meetings of the task force and duties of the department. This is effective immediately.

Public School Code Amendment (SB 193). (In Senate for Concurrence of Amendment*): Effective immediately, this bill amends the Public School Code in school health services. It requires school nurses hired after July 1, 2011 to be CPR certified. Nurses already hired and not certified by that date must become certified within one year of July 1, 2014. The certification course must be approved by the Department of Health. PSNA and other stakeholder groups successfully removed amendments mandating diabetes delegation language to non-medical professionals.

Opioid Prescription Drugs (HR 659). (Passed 200-0 and Enacted): This resolution establishes a task force on opioid prescription drug proliferation, creates an advisory committee and studies its impact on heroin use in the Commonwealth. It requires the Joint State Government Commission to be directed to recommend guidelines for prescribers within 60 days of the formation of the advisory committee. It also requires the task force and advisory committee to report to the General Assembly with suggested legislative and regulatory changes within one year of the adoption of the resolution. PSNA is part of this task force.

Whistleblower (HB 118). (Headed to Governor’s Desk): This bill amends the Whistleblower Law to add a the following to the definition of “employer”: public body or individual; partnership; association; for profit or non-profit corporation. Whistleblower protection is extended to an employee who makes a good faith report or is about to report waste stemming from a public body or other employer. The penalty for violation is increased to $10,000 and a maximum seven years suspension from public service. This recognizes the Inspector General as an appropriate authority, and stipulates an appropriate authority may not disclose the identity of a whistleblower without the whistleblower’s consent unless disclosure is unavoidable in the investigation of the alleged violation. Effective in 60 days.

Whistleblower (HB 185). (Headed to Governor’s Desk): This bill amends the Whistleblower Law to include the General Assembly in the definition of “public body” and increases the maximum civil fine from $500 to $10,000. It recognizes the Inspector General as an appropriate authority, and stipulates an appropriate authority may not disclose the identity of a whistleblower without the whistleblower’s consent unless disclosure is unavoidable in the investigation of the alleged violation. Effective in 60 days.

* Concurrence of Amendments means a piece of legislation has passed both chambers and was amended in the non-originating chamber and sent back to original chamber with amendment. The original chamber then votes on whether or not to agree with the amendment(s) inserted. 

The Pennsylvania State Nurses Association (PSNA), representing more than 215,000 registered nurses in Pennsylvania, applauds the passing of SB 1182, “Medical Marijuana,” from the Senate Law and Justice Committee to the State Senate floor. PSNA supports the establishment of efficient drug delivery, growing and dispensing systems as contained within SB 1182.

It is the position of PSNA that medical marijuana is worthy of further rigorous clinical testing. To truly weigh the risks and benefits of medical marijuana, there must be federal-level open discussions regarding the conversion of marijuana from a Schedule I to Schedule II drug classification. Schedule II classification would allow testing of consistent grade medical marijuana in a randomized controlled fashion to ascertain the drug’s risk/benefit profile for a multitude of illnesses and symptoms.

“This bill ensures that medical cannabis is tightly controlled, strictly monitored and medically prescribed,” states PSNA Chief Executive Officer Betsy M. Snook, MEd, RN, BSN. “We thank the Senate Law and Justice Committee for their action on this legislation. We are committed to our patients, the public and to collaborating with other health professionals to promote efforts determined to meet health needs and to shape health policy. That’s exactly what this bill does.”

This week, House Resolution 920, introduced by Safe Staffing prime sponsor Representative Mauree Gingrich (R-101), was passed by the House Human Services Committee. This resolution directs the Joint State Government Committee to study nurse staffing levels and has been referred to the House floor for consideration by all 203 State representatives.

Representative Gingrich and PSNA have collaborated on this comprehensive resolution that will look at professional bedside registered nurse demographics, length of stay in the profession, length of shifts, overtime requirements and hospital unit staffing levels. The goal of this study is to retrieve unbiased facts surrounding these issues and present them to lawmakers.

Take Action Today! Urge for Support of HR 920.

Click here to quickly contact your representative.

From continuing education to advocacy, Pennsylvania Nurse has you covered! Pennsylvania Nurse is the official peer-reviewed publication of the Pennsylvania State Nurses Association, giving you the opportunity to reach thousands of RNs and nursing students from across Pennsylvania. We are looking for contributors to Pennsylvania Nurse. Click here for submission guidelines and a quick Writing FAQ sheet. Questions? Contact Jennifer Neidig, Director of Communications, at jneidig@psna.org.

The Nursing Foundation of Pennsylvania (NFP), which administers a scholarship fund on behalf of the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW), has announced the recipients of the 2014 Jack E. Barger, Sr. Scholarship totaling $6,000. The fund awards $1,000 individual scholarships to nursing students that are veterans, in active duty military or are the child or spouse of a veteran or active duty personnel. Established by the Department of Pennsylvania VFW, the scholarship fund is in memory of the late Jack E. Barger, Sr., Department Commander, who died while in office. The NFP is pleased to award six $1,000 scholarships to the following students:

• Taylor McCarthy, Bloomsburg University
• Betsy Sherry, Conemaugh Memorial Medical Center
• Dawn Keller, Community College of Philadelphia
• Roxanne Blasy, La Salle University
• Brittany Kosin, Abington Memorial Hospital, Dixon School of Nursing
• Karrie Ellwanger, Reading Hospital School of Health Sciences Nursing Program

“We congratulate this year’s scholarship recipients and are pleased to support their career in nursing,” stated NFP President Elizabeth Walls, MBA, MSN, RN. “Other community organizations wishing to support nursing students can receive assistance in administering their scholarships through NFP’s services.”

To learn more about the NFP and additional scholarship opportunities, visit www.theNFP.org. The NFP is organized and operated to support the Pennsylvania State Nurses Association’s (PSNA) efforts to enhance nursing and healthcare.

The Pennsylvania State Nurses Association (PSNA), representing more than 215,000 registered nurses in Pennsylvania, today stood in Harrisburg’s Capitol Rotunda and brought a message of support for SB 1182, “Medical Marijuana,” introduced by Senator Folmer and Senator Leach. PSNA supports the establishment of efficient drug delivery, growing and dispensing systems as contained within SB 1182.

It is the position of PSNA that medical marijuana is worthy of further rigorous clinical testing. To truly weigh the risks and benefits of medical marijuana, there must be federal-level open discussions regarding the conversion of marijuana from a Schedule I to Schedule II drug classification. Schedule II classification would allow testing of consistent grade medical marijuana in a randomized controlled fashion to ascertain the drug’s risk/benefit profile for a multitude of illnesses and symptoms.

“Every nurse has taken a pledge. The Nurse’s Code of Ethics embodies our commitment to society and our commitment to change social structures that may diminish health and well-being,” states PSNA Chief Executive Officer Betsy M. Snook, MEd, RN, BSN. “We are committed to our patients, the public and to collaborating with other health professionals to promote efforts determined to meet health needs and to shape health policy. That’s exactly what this bill does and why we proudly support it today.”

The Pennsylvania State Nurses Association (PSNA) is the non-profit voice for nurses in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Representing more than 215,000 nurses, the Association works to be essential in advancing, promoting and supporting the profession of nursing to improve health for all in the Commonwealth. PSNA is a constituent member of the American Nurses Association (www.psna.org).

Since 2012, PSNA has helped to pass six pieces of legislation impacting RNs and patients in the Commonwealth. During the first week of June, PSNA was in the Capitol for the following ceremonial bill signings:

• Tanning Beds: Prohibits teens ages 16 and younger from using indoor tanning facilities. A 17-year-old must have parental consent. Research shows that indoor ultraviolet tanning is a major public health issue.
• Carbon Monoxide:  Enacts standards for carbon monoxide alarms in various existing buildings and properties.

Thank you to Pennsylvania nurses that were involved in bringing these important health care issues to the forefront. To learn more about becoming an advocate for the nursing profession, contact PSNA Government Affairs Director Kevin Busher at kbusher@psna.org.

Nursing is viewed as the most trusted and caring profession and yet nurse-on-nurse bullying is a reality. Not only does it affect morale and professional self-esteem, but it jeopardizes patient care. The When Nurses Hurt Nurses Workbook provides guidance on recognizing relationally aggressive behaviors, diffusing confrontational situations and applying interpersonal communication skills. Dr. Cheryl Dellasega equips nurses with tools to recognize relational aggression and promote change. Learning Activities enhance the reader’s application of these tools. By the end of this workbook, nurses will find their “a-ha” moment. This is an essential resource in creating a safer, more respectful workplace.

Click here to learn more or order your copy.