January 30, 2008
Dear APNA California Chapter Member:
We need your time and financial support!
The Advanced Practice (AP) Committee's Task Force for CNS Furnishing has been engaged in efforts over the last three years to obtain furnishing (California's term for "prescriptive") authority for clinical nurse specialists (CNS). Hopefully you have kept up with the "news" in our regular Netletter. We have already done a great deal of talking, learning, networking, meeting and moving this issue along. We have been collaborating with many medical, lay and nursing organizations. After a thorough assessment of the relevant political environment for psychiatric nurses, we believe that it is most advantageous to continue moving ahead rapidly to pursue furnishing for psychiatric CNSs at this time. This will surely open the door for furnishing authority for all CNSs in California.
The office of Ed Hernandez (Democrat, 57th Assembly district, Los Angeles) has agreed to file a bill on our behalf with the Legislative Counsel. We are still discussing authorship of the bill with Assemblyman Hernandez' office. As you can see our efforts are beginning to pay off , however, in order to continue this work, we now need YOUR help to cover travel, supply, incidental, and the many other costs associated with the work. We need to know that this is something YOU want to occur and are willing to help us accomplish. We are asking you very directly to vote with your pocketbook and time.
We need all CNSs to send money ($100...or whatever you can afford, $10 would be a show of support).
This effort has already cost a great deal of time and it will cost more time as well as money. The AP committee is working very closely with the California Psychiatric Association (CPA). The CPA supports us in this endeavor and has been extremely helpful in Sacramento. It is now UP TO YOU!
You may be wondering "why furnishing authority for the psychiatric CNS?" Furnishing has been long overdue. First of all, there is a tremendous client need around our state for safe psychiatric practitioners who are credentialed to prescribe or furnish. Second, most states (39) allow prescriptive authority for CNSs. Third, lack of the furnishing option is a barrier for CNSs who already have furnishing authority in another state, but would like to move to California. And finally, some employers in California are requesting that psychiatric CNSs expand their practice.
The legislation will allow psychiatric CNSs who have completed the necessary advanced course work (pathophysiology, pharmacology, psychopharmacology and physical assessment) along with practice hours related to furnishing to furnish medications.
We are also planning to advocate with the California Department of Mental Health to allocate training funds under the Mental Health Services Act to incentivize and encourage PMH CNSs to pursue the steps necessary to obtain furnishing authority.
Our continued quest is up to you. Please send us your non-tax-deductible check today and let us know if there are other ways in which you are able to support this effort, e.g., letter writing, meeting with legislators, going to Sacramento etc.
Please email Kevin Mc Girr at ptownn@sbcglobal.net to let us know you will help in action items as they are needed.
There are 2 ways to donate:
or . . .
- use any major credit card to make your donation online via our secure PayPal account
(to donate this way, please start by clicking the "Donate" button below):
- make a check payable to "APNA CA," print "CNS Furnishing" near the top, and mail it to:
Cheryl Puntil
5121 S. Sherbourne Drive
Los Angeles, CA 90056Thank you!
Sincerely,
Rita Haverkamp
APNA CA Chapter Immediate Past-President
& Member, Task Force for CNS Prescribing