RCRC has expressed support for Assembly Bill 410, authored by Assembly Member Vince Fong (R-Bakersfield). AB 410, would enact the Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC) allowing state licensing entities to issue a multistate license and allowing the license holder to practice as a registered nurse or a licensed vocational nurse in any party state under a multistate licensure privilege. With 34 states participating and 13 states with pending legislation, the NLC would grant over 2 million nurses the opportunity to respond to the demand of providing nursing care across state lines.
California’s healthcare system faces a critical nursing shortage and holds one of the worst nurse-to-population ratios in the country. With chronic nursing shortages in rural counties, expanding the pool of eligible nurses is critical to building healthcare capacity, especially during the coronavirus (COVID-19) public health emergency.
AB 410 will enable high-quality nurses to quickly relocate and provide relief to nurses and patients in California as well as utilize telehealth to increase access to care in underserved populations throughout the state. Taking this key step to address California’s nursing shortage will result in better outcomes for patients and communities. RCRC’s letter of support is available here. For more information, contact Sarah Dukett, RCRC Legislative Advocate, by email or call (916) 447-4806.