Nursing
Hospitals across Illinois are engaged in a variety of efforts to provide nurses an excellent workplace environment and rewarding career opportunities. As part of that commitment, IHA has worked with the General Assembly, the Illinois Nurses Association and others to enhance nurses' work environment, increase the nurse supply, and promote patient safety. Hospitals and nurses have the same agenda -- to provide the best patient care possible.
Nurse Staffing
IHA and the hospital community have worked with the General Assembly, the Illinois Nurses Association and other advocacy groups to support the enactment of several landmark pieces of legislation designed to enhance nurses' work environment, increase the nurse supply, and promote patient safety.
2011 Illinois Legislative Proposals Related to Nursing and Workforce Supply
Nurse Staffing by Patient Acuity
In 2007, Governor Blagojevich signed SB867 into law. The legislation was strongly supported by IHA to address hospital staffing based on patient acuity. The Nurse Staffing by Patient Acuity law addresses hospitals' staffing plans based on each hospital's patient acuity model, incorporating recommendations from a nursing care committee comprised of 50% direct care nurses.
Nurse Staffing Resources
Nurse Practice Act
Governor Blagojevich signed the updated Nurse Practice Act into law on October 5, 1007. The new law, due to sunset in 2018, recognizes nurses' larger role in providing health care and clarifies APN, RN and LPN responsibilities and requirements.
Resources