Did you know that California is the only state that does not define the scope of practice of nurse practitioners beyond their scope as a registered nurse? Because of the lack of a defined scope, NPs are not being fully utilized because our outdated laws that do not adequately recognize their education, training, skills and capabilities. This limits the system’s ability to provide the very best possible care in areas where it is lacking, such as inner cities and rural California. This places patients at risk, preventing timely diagnosis and treatment for potentially life-threatening conditions. A bill pending in the state legislature, AB 1436, would remedy this problem.

Dear [ Decision Maker ] ,

As member of United Nurses Associations of California/Union of Health Care Professionals-AFSCME, am writing to request your support for Assembly Bill 1436 (Hernandez). This bill will be heard in the Senate Business, Professions and Economic Development Committee on June 9, 2008.

If enacted, AB 1436 will improve access to high quality healthcare for the members of your community. Forty-nine other states and the District of Columbia currently define a nurse practitioner's scope of practice in statute or regulation. California is the ONLY state which does not define the scope of practice of nurse practitioners beyond their scope as a registered nurse. Because of the lack of a defined scope, NPs are not being fully utilized because our outdated laws that do not adequately recognize their education, training, skills and capabilities. This limits the system's ability to provide the very best possible care in areas where it is lacking, such as inner cities and rural California. This places patients at risk, preventing timely diagnosis and treatment for potentially life-threatening conditions.

Thank you for your consideration for support of AB 1436. If I can be of assistance or answer questions, please feel free to contact me.

Sincerely,

Campaign Launched:
May 30, 2008