The RN Work Project is a national study of new nurses, focusing on career changes and work attitudes, led by Christine T. Kovner, Ph.D., R.N., F.A.A.N. New York University College of Nursing and Carol S. Brewer, Ph.D., R.N., F.A.A.N. University at Buffalo School of Nursing.
The project began in 2006 as a national study to track career changes among new nurses. With funding from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation until 2016, the Project has a unique opportunity to study the careers of new nurses for 10 years. The only multi-state, longitudinal panel study of new nurses’ turnover rates, intentions, and attitudes, and further information about it can be found online.
The Medical Orders for Life-Sustaining Treatment (MOLST) is designed to improve the quality of care people receive at the end of life. New York’s Palliative Care Information Act requires physicians and nurse practitioners to offer terminally-ill patients information and counseling concerning palliative care and end-of-life options. The new law encourages discussions about the goals for care, as well as ensuring optimal relief of pain and other symptoms and a timely referral to hospice. A summary of the new law, FAQs and resources are available online. Further information on Palliative Care and the Palliative Care Information Act can also be found online.
Nursing practice in New York is defined by State Education Law, Article 139 (the Nurse Practice Act), which states:
“The practice of the profession of nursing as a registered professional nurse is defined as diagnosing and treating human responses to actual or potential health problems through such services as casefinding, health teaching, health counseling, and provision of care supportive to or restorative of life and well-being, and executing medical regimens prescribed by a licensed physician, dentist or other licensed health care provider legally authorized under this title and in accordance with the commissioner's regulations.”
This definition authorizes RNs to execute medical orders from certain authorized healthcare providers. RNs may function independently in providing nursing care related to casefinding, health teaching, health counseling, and provision of care supportive to, or restorative of, life and well-being.
Contact Education, Practice and Research at 518.782.9400, ext. 282 or by e-mail.