An Act concerning nursing education and professional advancement and supplementing Title 26 of the Revised Statutes.
Be It Enacted by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:
C.45:11-81 Review of current nursing curriculum, education, clinical experience requirements; modifications.
1. a. The Board of Nursing shall review the current nursing curriculum and education and clinical experience requirements for the completion of a nursing degree and make or recommend such modifications as the board deems appropriate to incorporate, as part of such requirements, the Nursing Home Infection Preventionist Training Course, or any successor course, offered through the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
b. The Board of Nursing shall review the current nursing curriculum and make or recommend such modifications as the board deems appropriate to ensure that licensed practical nurses and registered nurses receive adequate training on post-acute care.
C.45:11-82 Review of current nursing education, clinical experience requirements, certification, professional advancement for nurse aides; modifications.
2. The Department of Health shall review the current education and clinical experience requirements for the certification and professional advancement of certified nurse aides and make or recommend such modifications as the department deems appropriate to incorporate, as part of such requirements, the appropriate portions of the Nursing Home Infection Preventionist Training Course, or any successor course, offered through the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, or a similar course offered through the Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology with respect to infection control or prevention in long-term care facilities, and any additional or supplemental modules or courses as the department deems appropriate.
C.45:11-83 Pilot program for standards development for certified nurse aide professional advancement.
3. The Department of Health, in consultation with one or more long-term care facilities in this State, or a representative thereof, and representatives of labor organizations, shall establish a pilot program to develop standards or identify a model that contains standards for the professional advancement of certified nurse aides. The standards for the professional advancement of certified nurse aides may be based on: previous work experience, education level, participation in educational opportunities, training, and work performance. The standards for the professional advancement of certified nurse aides may also be based on any applicable out-of-State models for the professional advancement of certified nurse aides.
C.45:11-84 Rules, regulations.
4. The Commissioner of Health shall adopt rules and regulations, in accordance with the “Administrative Procedure Act,” P.L.1968, c.410 (C.52:14B-1 et seq.), as are necessary to effectuate the provisions of this act.
5. This act shall take effect on the first day of the sixth month next following the date of enactment.
Approved November 8, 2021.