ANA\C The Nursing Voice Summer 2019

anacalifornia.org  .  17 Details About Assembly Bill 890 Sponsored by Assemblymember JimWoods Assemblymember Jim Woods, who is a dentist by profession, has sponsored a bill that, if passed, would grant Full Practice Authority (FPA) to the majority of California’s Nurse Practitioners. Key elements of the bill are as follows: If passed, FPA would become a reality for nurse practitioners (NPs) who practice in clinics or certain other settings, health systems, and medical groups. For NPs who wish to practice outside of those settings listed above, there is a Transition to Practice (TTP) requirement. This compromise was necessary to keep the bill moving forward. National certification is finally included as a requirement for FPA. Those NPs without national certification would still be able to practice but would be required to continue practicing under Standardized Procedures. Nurse Practitioner scope of practice is codified into legislation and regulation. (There is currently no NP Scope of Practice in California!) Elements of the bill causing the most questions are the formation of a new APRN Board, as well as the inclusion of a “competency exam” at the end of the TTP period. The formation of a new regulatory enforcement board was an amendment required to be included by various legislators in order to keep the bill moving forward. (In other words, another key compromise.) The legislative process is dynamic and messy. Patricia Gurney MSN, PCPNP-BC President Elect, California Association for Nurse Practitioners The “competency exam” was included with the intent of ensuring that an NP who seeks to practice outside of the four categories of settings delineated above, meets key competencies. This exam, as stated in the current bill, will be determined by the APRN Board. CANP is currently working with Assemblymember Wood on possible further amendments to provide clarity and work out important details as the bill moves forward. The legislative process is dynamic and messy. The bill author is work- ing closely with CANP to negotiate the political realities of health care legislation in California, understanding the reality of the powerful opposition to moving forward with FPA for California’s Nurse Practi- tioners. The CANP recognizes that this is not a perfect bill. Assembly- member Woods said it very well when he spoke at the recent ANA\C Lobby Day. “Some people think if they can’t get the whole loaf, then they should just quit. I disagree. I think half a loaf is better than none at all. I think we can get ¾ loaf with this bill, and I think that would be a very good thing.” Most importantly, please join CANP in supporting this bill to support FPA for California NPs! APRN Corner