Health

A bill approved March 24 by the House Health and Human Services Policy Committee would give official protection to the title of "nurse."

Saying people without proper training and certification can currently claim to be nurses without the threat of punishment, representatives of the Minnesota Board of Nursing and Minnesota Nurses Association said the bill (HF496), sponsored by Rep. Jim Abeler (R-Anoka), will protect consumers who think they are receiving nursing care from an unqualified individual.

Even though "licensed practicing nurse" and "registered nurse" are already protected titles under state law, supporters said most people associate the generic term nurse with a certain level of training and expertise and should be protected from people who claim to be nurses without that training.

The bill will next go before the full house. Its Senate companion (SF233), sponsored by Sen. Linda Higgins (DFL-Mpls), awaits a vote on the Senate floor.

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