2011 Vermont Code
Title 03 Appendix Executive Orders
Chapter 18 HEALTH
§ 20 18-20. (No. 10-11) [Blue Ribbon Commission on Nursing

Executive Order No. 18-20

(No. 10-11)

[Blue Ribbon Commission on Nursing]

WHEREAS, The task of reforming health care in Vermont requires an adequate and well-trained health care workforce; and

WHEREAS, nurses are vital health care professionals who can offer preventative care and help manage chronic illness in a compassionate and cost-effective way, keeping health care expenditures affordable; and

WHEREAS, the Institute of Medicine's (IOM's) October 2010 report, The Future of Nursing -- Leading Change, Advancing Health, included many recommendations that could support Vermont's health reform agenda; and

WHEREAS, a Blue Ribbon Commission on Nursing convened in 2000 issued a series of recommendations that enjoyed broad support and led to new programs and initiatives that have resulted in Vermont having one of the lowest nurse vacancy rates in the country;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, Peter Shumlin, by the power vested in me as Governor, establish a Blue Ribbon Commission on Nursing ("the Commission") to make recommendations to ensure that nurses are full partners in Vermont's health care reform.

I. Purpose and Goals

The Commission shall consider, review, and make recommendations specific to Vermont regarding the focus areas of the Institute of Medicine's (IOM's) October 2010 report, The Future of Nursing - Leading Change, Advancing Health, including:

· Removing scope of practice barriers;

· Expanding opportunities for nurses to lead and participate in collaborative improvement efforts;

· Implementing nurse residency programs;

· Increasing the proportion of nurses with baccalaureate degrees to 80% by 2020;

· Doubling the number of nurses with a doctorate by 2020;

· Ensuring lifelong learning;

· Preparing and enabling nurses to lead change to advance health; and

· Collecting and analyzing inter-professional health care workforce data.

The Commission shall also look broadly at nursing workforce issues and, in addition to those addressing the IOM report, make recommendations regarding:

· Supply and demand for nursing services in Vermont and changes that will be necessary to fully implement health reform;

· Training and educational needs for nurses in advanced primary care practice settings, including team-based care models, care coordination, population health management, and electronic patient registries;

· Adjustments that may be necessary in nursing curricula;

· Debt levels and loan repayment amounts necessary to meet workforce requirements for the different nursing professions and for nurse faculty.

II. Composition

The Commission shall consist of not more than thirty (30) people, appointed by the Governor. The Governor shall designate a Chair or Co-Chairs of the Commission from among the appointees. In appointing members, the Governor shall make a reasonable effort to identify appointees with a range of perspectives and interests concerning nursing, including nurses, other medical professionals, representatives of hospitals and other care facilities that include nurses, education leaders and others involved in nurse training and workforce development, health care consumers, legislators, and other government officials.

Appointees shall serve through the duration of the Commission's work.

III. Committee Process

The Commission shall hold an initial meeting as soon as reasonably practicable after September 1, 2011, shall meet as necessary thereafter, and shall complete its work, including a summary report and recommendations, no later than September 30, 2012.

Members will serve without compensation.

IV. Effective Date and Expiration

This Order shall take effect upon signing and shall expire on September 30, 2012.

Dated August 9, 2011