Valued Voice

The Wisconsin Board of Nursing (BON) held a public hearing Nov. 13 on their intent to revise Chapter N1 rules. The BON Statement of Scope describes this rule revision as “essential for the public welfare by enabling nursing schools to broaden their clinical faculty.” The rule revision process was initiated by BON at the urging of WHA and a coalition of nursing and employer stakeholders to allow an expanded role for experienced baccalaureate registered nurses (BSNs) to serve as clinical faculty.  

WHA Senior Vice President Workforce and Clinical Practice, Ann Zenk, testified at the hearing, thanking BON for responding to WHA’s request for this change.

“As health care employers, our members are committed to working with the Board and our partners in education to make this opportunity available for the BSNs we employ for the benefit of Wisconsin's nursing schools, the nursing workforce and health care in Wisconsin,” Zenk noted, adding “We strongly support the Board of Nursing taking up this change through the emergency rules process.”

Several nursing schools and the Wisconsin Nurses Association also voiced their support of the proposed changes at the BON hearing, noting that experienced nurses working at the bedside have expertise and knowledge that will be a valuable addition to the masters-prepared nurses providing didactic instruction. 

WHA attends each BON meeting to monitor the progress on this important rule change, to provide feedback and assistance to the board and to advocate for issues important to hospitals and health systems and the nursing workforce. 

Contact WHA’s Ann Zenk about this or any other workforce topic.