The National Funeral Directors Association has indicated that 79% of this year's mortuary students are female, up from 35% in 1995, reflecting a nationwide trend of changes to the makeup of the funeral industry. The funeral industry is responding to chronic staff shortages and an aging workforce by recruiting a younger and more diverse workforce. An example in Vermont is the introduction of new and more affordable certificate programs leading to licensure.
October 26, 2022
US: trends in makeup of funeral industry
October 05, 2022
California releases proposed regulations on NP scope of practice
The California Board of Registered Nursing has released proposed regulations for two new categories of nurse practitioners with expanded scope of practice and independent authority. In order to qualify for the expanded scope, NPs would have to complete 4600 hours of clinical practice in direct patient care in the category in which the NP seeks certification. Written comments on the proposed regulations are being accepted through November 1 prior to adoption of the regulations.
Calls for better integrated care between mental health and substance use treatment
Concerns are being raised in New Hampshire about the need to better integrate care for mental health issues and substance use disorders. Research at the National Institute of Mental Health indicates that 50% of people who experience substance use disorder also experience mental health disorders, and vice versa. Calls are being made for more education on mental health for drug and alcohol counselors and more education on addiction for mental health providers. Concern has also been raised about the silo-ing effect of different licensing boards overseeing the two fields.
September 28, 2022
US House considers Improving Care and Access to Nurses (ICAN) Act
The Improving Care and Access to Nurses Act under consideration in the US House would reduce barriers to practice for nurse practitioners and advanced practice registered nurses, authorizing NPs to "order and supervise cardiac and pulmonary rehabilitation, certify when patients with diabetes need therapeutic shoes, have their patients fully included in the beneficiary attribution process for the Medicare Shared Savings Program, refer patients for medical nutrition therapy, certify and recertify a patient's terminal illness for hospice eligibility, perform all mandatory examinations in skilled nursing facilities, and more." The American Association of Nurse Practitioners supports the legislation.
September 07, 2022
Professional Standards Authority: "Safer Care for All" report
The Professional Standards Authority in the UK has just published "Safer Care for All: Solutions from professional regulation and beyond," a report that proposes solutions to challenges facing health and social care around tackling inequalities; regulating for new risks; the workforce crisis; and accountability, fear, and public safety. One main recommendation is the establishment of an independent Health and Social Care Safety Commissioner in each UK country "with broad responsibility for identifying, monitoring, reporting, and advising on ways of addressing patient and service user risks."
Read more, including the executive summary, table of recommendations, and the full report.
Illinois: incentive program for community behavioral health professionals
Illinois's Community Behavioral Health Care Professional Loan Repayment Program is now in effect, allowing certain licensed Illinois mental health professionals to apply for student loan forgiveness. Eligible practitioners must have worked at a community health center in a rural or underserved area for 12 consecutive months. The amount of the annual rewards depends on their position and their outstanding loan balance, and applications can be submitted annually up to four years.
Nevada: emergency regulation change for teacher licensing
Nevada's governor has signed an emergency regulation that reduces the cost of substitute teacher licenses and allows 6-month extension of expiration dates for provisional educator licenses. The regulation is at the request of the Commission on Professional Standards in Education to help address educator workforce shortage.
August 31, 2022
Update: pushback on charges against Vermont pharmacies
In June, the Vermont Office of Professional Regulation filed charges against Walgreens pharmacies, alleging that staffing shortages and unplanned closures resulted in medication and vaccination errors that put customers at risk. Walgreens has asked a judge to dismiss the claims, stating that it is an unfair standard during the pandemic and factors outside of their control. They also argue that the statute allowing discipline against one drug outlet in a chain to be imposed on all outlets in the chain is discriminatory and a violation of due process.
August 24, 2022
Overview of expanded pharmacist scope of practice
This article provides details of nine states that have expanded scope of practice for pharmacists, including analysis of which authorities granted during the pandemic have been retained. A highlighted example is California's advanced practice license, which allows pharmacists independent authority to initiate, adjust and modify drug therapy without collaborative practice agreements for pharmacists who complete advanced training.
Canada appoints chief nursing officer
Reinstating a position that was eliminated in 2012, Canada's federal government has appointed a national chief nursing officer. The role will "provide strategic advice from a nursing perspective to Health Canada on priority policy and program areas, including health workforce planning, long-term care, home care, palliative care, mental health, alcohol and drug use, as well as input on models of care and scope of practice and competencies." Concerns have been raised about the nationwide shortage of nurses, temporary closures of departments and services, and the strain on the healthcare system.
