Strange bedfellows.The California Nurses Association The California Nurses Association (CNA) is the largest and fastest-growing labor union and professional association of Registered Nurses in California. The National Nurses Organizing Committee is a national labor union for Registered Nurses, and is affiliated with the CNA. and the California Hospital Association have been fighting each other for months over attempts by the hospital trade group to weaken the state's landmark nurse staffing law. But now they find themselves on the same side of an issue. Last month, a hospital association representative testified before the state's Little Hoover Commission Hoover Commission (1947–49, 1953–55) Advisory body headed by former Pres. Herbert Hoover to examine the organization of the U.S. executive branch. The first commission, officially titled the Commission on Organization of the U.S. against a proposal by the governor's California Performance Review committee to eliminate the Board of Registered Nursing as part of a plan to wipe out wipe tr.v. wiped, wip·ing, wipes 1. a. To subject to light rubbing or friction, as with a cloth or paper, in order to clean or dry. b. 118 boards and commissions. The hospital association, which last year labeled the nurses association a "radical" group, agreed that the nursing board provided necessary oversight of the profession, including guidance and review of nursing practices. Nurses, meanwhile, believe the board does a good job rehabilitating nurses with drug addictions drug addiction or chemical dependency Physical and/or psychological dependency on a psychoactive (mind-altering) substance (e.g., alcohol, narcotics, nicotine), defined as continued use despite knowing that the substance causes harm. and other problems, while protecting nurses from punishment as a result of dangerous hospital policies. The two groups also support merging the board into another board overseeing licensed vocational nurses licensed vocational nurse n. Abbr. LVN A licensed practical nurse who is permitted by license to practice in California or Texas. . "We were surprised. They are making the right choice," said nurse Liz Jacobs, a California Nurses Association spokeswoman. The two groups do not agree on everything, however. Hospital officials support moving nurse discipline to administrative law judges administrative law judge n. a professional hearing officer who works for the government to preside over hearings and appeals involving governmental agencies. They are generally experienced in the particular subject matter of the agency involved or of several agencies. , something the nurses oppose. Staff reporter Laurence Darmiento can be reached at (323) 549-5225, ext. 237, or at ldarmiento@labusinessjournal.com. |
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