A Statement from Dean Lin Zhan on Plan to Exclude Nursing from 'Professional' Designation
“These proposed changes are deeply concerning. Nursing is a health profession, and our professional nurses provide safe, high quality, and just care for patients and families 24/7/365 across the health care ecosystem. These changes come at a time when our state and nation face a severe nursing shortage. We cannot afford to create barriers that limit entry and growth in this essential profession and any policy changes must prioritize expanding access and enabling professional nurses to practice with knowledge and compassion.
Graduate-prepared nurses play a critical role across health care. They bring advanced knowledge, leadership, and evidence-based practice that research has shown directly improves patient outcomes and save lives. Their expertise is vital, especially as care becomes more complex and patient needs grow.
We urge policymakers to reconsider these proposed changes, so that we can meet the health care demands of tomorrow and provide every patient access to well-educated highly skilled, and compassionate nursing care."
Dean Lin Zhan, PhD, RN, FAAN
UCLA Joe C. Wen School of Nursing
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