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 POWER IN NUMBERS, POWER THROUGH ALLIANCE, UNITED IN VISION™ |
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A contingent of Arizona AMEN/AAMEP nurses recently learned more of the legislative process and the importance of being proactive when it comes to issues that could affect aesthetic professionals. Arizona is a state where nurses and Nurse Practitioners (NP) enjoy more freedom to practice independently than in many other states. NPs may practice independent of a physician and prescribe and dispense similar to a physician. The Arizona Radiation Regulatory Agency (ARRA) oversees use of cosmetic lasers, including supervision and training issues, and requires certain training and experience before certifying laser providers. A sore point for years is a discrepancy between the Az Board of Nursing (allowing nurses to perform aesthetic injections and laser procedures under indirect supervision of a licensed provider, including a NP) and ARRA rules. ARRA defines licensed practitioners to include chiropractors, podiatrists, and naturopaths, but not NPs. Those practices that have nurses performing laser procedures with indirect supervision of a NP operate under an exemption from the ARRA while waiting for this discrepancy to be resolved. Now the stage is set… A chance mention of a plastic surgeon meeting with a state Senator to discuss issues regarding laser safety perked up the ears of Joan Olcott, RN, and Leigh Giordano, RN, initiating a drive to learn more of what issues the surgeon might have and how it could affect aesthetic nurses. An unprecedented meeting of aesthetic professionals (nurses, NPs, laser rep, medspa owners, and cosmetic and non-plastic surgeon physicians) showed that a perceived threat could bring these various professionals together. As AMEN members Joan and Leigh were well aware of legislative restrictions on aesthetic nursing practices in other states and wanted to avoid that happening in Arizona. By the second meeting of local aesthetic professionals, a decision to form a chapter of AAMEP was made and to retain a known lawyer/lobbyist to represent our concerns. Being a chapter of a national organization made our group more believable, especially as many of the group were already members of AMEN/AAMEP. A meeting was arranged with Senator Leff, a member of the Senate Health Committee and the sponsor of the bill, and she was found to be down to earth, reasonable, and very supportive of nurses and NPs. Over an hour was spent in conference with the Senator and her staff, with discussions of legislation that could ensure the safety of the public and not set any restrictions on the scope of practice of either nurses or nurse practitioners. The Bill states that supervision of lasers (direct or indirect) may be performed by a health professional whose scope of practice allows the supervision. Nurses that are involved in aesthetics would be governed by the Board of Nursing and their SOP, and physicians would be governed by their Board of Medicine. Educational requirements of laser providers is a major emphasis of the bill, hoping to ensure public safety though increased education, hands on training, and oversight. The Board of Cosmetology will oversee, license, and enforce problems with laser tech/aestheticians. We attended the Senate Health Committee meeting February 21, and were available to speak if needed about the Bill. Though the plastic surgeon spoke out about the dangers of lasers and other cosmetic procedures, he did support this Bill and it was passed from this committee and onto the next step of the legislative process. Kathy Busby has been an integral part of the process of writing the Bill, has spoken with legislators so that they are aware of what the Bill entails, and will continue to monitor for changes that could affect our practices. A monetary commitment by members of this organization has been necessary to pay for Kathy’s services, and we continue to push to help pay her costs. We also encourage all aesthetic nurses and nurse practitioners to become members of AAMEP, ANA and their local nurses association, and become educated about the legislative process. Know who your senators and legislators are, both locally and nationally. There are always bills that need sponsors that affect nurses and nurse practitioners and the patients and communities we serve. We as nurses, and especially as aesthetic nurses, need to show our power in numbers and ability to organize and work together toward a common goal. Respectfully submitted by Sue Heck, FNP-C, MEP-C President, Az Chapter of AAMEP |
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