Wisconsin Nursing Coalition Report to the ENA
May 10, 2009
The WNC last met on March 26, 2009 at the AmericInn and Suites, Madison.
The coalition was asked to support a ban on the insecticide Endosulfan which travels very easily and has been found to be neurotoxic in animal studies.
The WNC also supported a state-wide smoking ban. As of this writing, it has passed and will be effective in 2010.
The WNC also asked member organizations to support the RN workforce data collection initiative (which we have).
Key points:
A comprehensive database does not currently exist.
WI Nurses – “the next endangered species”. We could lose 5 of our rural health clinics because we do not have data on numbers of APNs.
Safe staffing continues to be an area of concern, particularly nurse fatique is an issue.
Legislative issues:
Banning mandatory overtime
Decision tree for determining nursing scope of practice
Budget provisions for school nurses to be out from under the revenue cap. WI is well above the recommended student-nurse ratio.
Section 940.295 amendment will be re-introduced. (Julie Thao amendment that will prohibit criminal prosecution for nursing errors other than intentional abuse.)
The next meeting wil be May 28, 2009.
05.10.09
