Previous Story
Bill seeks to help nonresident nurses, private medical clinics
|
Posted on Jan 11 2009
A CNMI lawmaker is hoping to help nonresident nursing graduates of the Northern Marianas College find work immediately after graduation.
Rep. Justo S. Quitugua has introduced a bill that would allow nonresident nursing graduates from NMC the chance to work at private medical facilities in the Commonwealth, in addition to the Department of Public Health.
Currently, nonresident nursing graduates from NMC must have two years of experience before seeking employment in the CNMI except for those employed by DPH.
“Unfortunately, the Department of Public Health cannot hire all the nursing graduates of the Northern Marianas College every year, thereby leaving many nursing graduates without job opportunities to gain experience,” the bill states.
If passed, Public Law 15-108 would be amended to say that nurses may be exempted if they are graduates from a recognized institution with a degree in nursing science and satisfy licensing requirements in their country as well as requirements set by the Commonwealth Board of Nursing for License Practical Nurse (LPN) or Registered Nurse (RN).
“Nurses employed pursuant to this subsection shall meet all minimum experience requirements for employment as provided by law, except that any minimum experience requirement shall not apply to a foreign national worker who completed the nursing education program at the Northern Marianas College or other approved vocational nursing school in the Commonwealth, passed the NCLEX exam, and is employed on or before December 31, 2009, in a nursing position at the Department of Public Health or a private medical clinic in the Commonwealth.”
