The nursing fraternity has experienced some changes in its administrative structure that has percolated to nurses’ professional behaviors. Since 2009, the nursing fraternity in Texas has been subjected to restructuring in terms of service provision and enhancing professional conduct, which has resulted in changes to some key bills governing nursing. It should be brought to the attention that all key changes to the bills governing nurses have been noted and the pros and cons from the same evaluated by nurses concerned. Although the amendments done to some bills were done in good faith and for the efficiency of the board and nurses, the changes have been received with mixed views. Some nurses view the changes as a disturbance in the hither to a smooth-running system whereas others view the amendment as timely readjustments needed to pace up with the dynamic nature of the nursing profession. On my part, I would like to voice my support to some key areas of some amendments (Willman, 2011).
I would like to highlight the importance of making amendments to chapter 214, §§214.1 – 214.13 as proposed. As it is known to you, this chapter deals with vocational nursing education, which is an essential aspect for nurses aspiring to advance in their profession. After reading the proposed amendments to the chapter on vocational education, I have realized that the amendments will clear the air on some ambiguities on the same. For instance, code §214.3(a) explains the requirements for the author of an education program in nursing. The amendment indicates that the author should be a registered nurse in Texas for at least one year with a practicing experience of more than five years. That the author should have been in practice in Texas for more than one year means that the program will be tailored to the local needs. The former law had some loopholes that would have permitted strangers in Texas to impart their own system of education based on foreign rules without regard to the local taste. At the same time, nurses graduating from this program will have an upper hand in existing job opportunities in Texas. This is because they will be considered based on the fact that they have experienced the local nursing climate and are suitable as they will fit in immediately (Texas Nursing Board, 2012).
I would also wish to highlight further the importance of the amendment to code §214.3(a). As a nurse, there are problems that ought to be addressed locally. For instance, there is a need for having a localized planner for nurses to use proper time management. Such an item can only be made if the existing program will be tailored by an author with a good grasp on the local nursing climate in Texas and with wide experience in nursing and teaching. As it is evident from the bill, the amendment stipulates that the author should have at least five years of experience as a practicing nurse and one year as a teacher in the same field. This means that the amendment will give provisions for the local needs of nurses. The overall evaluations of the amendments are generally acceptable in my opinion and should be implemented.
Finally, as a nurse who is in the system, I wholly agree with the proposal.
References
Texas Nursing Board. (2012). Proposed rule changes. Web.
Willman, J. (2011). Annotated Guide-RN to the Texas Nursing Practice Act. 10 ed. Texas: Texas Nurses Association.