The 2025 Indiana General Assembly session is in full swing. Each week there are multiple committee hearings on bills that impact the nursing profession. February 20th looms as the deadline for House bills to pass the House and Senate bills to pass the Senate. ISNA is hard at work at the Statehouse advocating on behalf of Indiana nurses. Our Advocacy Council convenes to discuss priority legislation and what position ISNA should take on pending bills. Rhonda Cook, JD, with LegisGroup Public Affairs is our lobbyist, representing ISNA at the Statehouse throughout the session. Katherine Feley, DNP, RN, NE-BC, ISNA CEO, has provided committee testimony on multiple bills this session to share the perspective of Indiana nurses. Members of ISNA receive weekly updates and action alerts on all relevant legislation through our member e-newsletter, the ISNAbler.

Here is a sampling of the notable bills that have been filed this session: 

SB 176 LPN programs & high school diplomas: changes the requirement of a high school diploma for an LPN student from a prerequisite for admission to the LPN program to a prerequisite for graduation from the LPN program. This allows students still in high school begin an LPN program. 

SB 181 Trauma informed care in nurse education programs: Requires the state board of nursing to adopt rules to require trauma informed care training as part of the required curriculum for nursing education programs.

SB 246 APRN Restrictions: Requires the Medical Licensing Board to accept and review complaints concerning a collaborating physician's practice agreement with an advanced practice registered nurse. An advanced practice registered nurse may only operate in collaboration with a licensed practitioner who specializes in the same practice area as the advanced practice registered nurse. An advanced practice registered nurse may only practice within the scope of the advanced practice registered nurse's specialty. A physician may enter into a collaborative agreement with more than four (4) advanced practice registered nurses but may not collaborate with more than four (4) advanced practice registered nurses at the same time. 

SB 383 Retire APRN Collaborative Practice Agreement Requirement: Removes the requirement that an advanced practice registered nurse (APRN) have a practice agreement with a collaborating physician. Removes a provision requiring an APRN to operate under a collaborative practice agreement or the privileges granted by a hospital governing board. Allows an APRN with prescriptive authority to prescribe a schedule II controlled substance for weight reduction or to control obesity. 

HB 1040 Allow CRNAs to work with Podiatrists and Dentists: Allows a certified registered nurse anesthetist (CRNA) to administer anesthesia under the direction of and in the immediate presence of a physician, podiatrist, or dentist. Under current law, a CRNA may administer anesthesia under the direction of and in the immediate presence of a physician. Provides that a physician, podiatrist, or dentist is not liable for any act or omission of a CRNA who administers anesthesia.

HB 1116 Retire APRN Collaborative Practice Agreement Requirement: Removes the requirement that an advanced practice registered nurse (APRN) have a practice agreement with a collaborating physician. Removes a provision requiring an APRN to operate under a collaborative practice agreement or the privileges granted by a hospital governing board. Allows an APRN with prescriptive authority to prescribe a schedule II controlled substance for weight reduction or to control obesity. 

HB 1151 APRN licensure and two additional Board of Nursing seats: Adds two seats to the Board of Nursing, one of which must be an advanced practice registered nurse. Creates secondary licensure for all four APRN roles. Currently, only certified nurse midwives receive a secondary license in addition to their RN license. 

HB 1160 Health profession students cannot be required to get immunizations: Provides that a student enrolled in a health profession education program may not be required to receive an immunization as a condition of: (1) participating in; or (2) obtaining; clinical training or clinical experience required by the program when the student has a medical or religious exemption. Allows a student to bring a civil action against an entity for a violation of these provisions. Amends the definition of "documentation of exemption" for purposes of provisions governing immunization requirements at state educational institutions. Provides that a student may not be required to provide specific information regarding the student's religious objection.

Mentoring and supporting nurses in different stages of their careers are more important than ever since the pandemic. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects 194,500 average annual openings for RNs between 2020 and 2030. Surveys also indicate that the pandemic accelerated retirement trends among older nurses. For example, in 2020, the median age of RNs was 52 years, with more than one-fifth indicating intent to retire from nursing over the next 5 years. With more experienced nurses retiring, new nurses seek guidance and connection. Well-developed and maintained mentorship offers many benefits to any nurse.

Mentorship involves voluntary, personal and professional, short- or long-term relationships, and it frequently occurs outside of a mentee’s employment setting. Having a mentor offers the following benefits:

• Practical insight and advice from a more experienced person
• A trusted partner to discuss career questions, goals, or challenges
• Improved interpersonal and communication skills
• A different perspective
• Help identifying career goals/new challenges/growth
• Encouraged and empowered personal development
• Increased confidence
• Access to a senior role model

Mentorship can create an environment for continuous improvement, self-discovery, attainable goals, improved job and career satisfaction, and enhanced leadership skills. Successful mentoring relationships typically reflect genuine interest from the mentor and the mentee, time commitment, trust, self-motivation, personal responsibility, clear communication, and mutually established goals.

Most nurses have little time at work for personal development. Connecting with mentors through professional organizations, such as the American Nurses Association (ANA), can benefit nurses who are making job transitions or thinking through their next career steps. Learning how others navigated similar challenges and getting an outside perspective can prove helpful. Connecting with other mentees also facilitates networking, learning about different nursing experiences, and creating a sense of community.

Mentorship can benefit a nurse at any career stage—not only new graduates but also experienced nurses considering their next career steps, looking to develop more leadership skills, or encountering changes or challenges in their professional or personal lives.

Three mentorship opportunities

ANA members have access to three avenues for networking and career development: virtual career mentoring, flash mentoring, and online communities.

The virtual mentoring program, launched in 2018, facilitates one-to-one mentoring relationships that connect early-career RNs (mentees) with experienced RNs (mentors). Mentees typically have only a few years of nursing experience and want to advance their careers with guidance from more experienced nurses. Mentors usually have many years of nursing experience working in various positions and work settings. Mentors are staff nurses, advanced practice RNs, executives, managers, professors and more, dedicated to advancing the nursing profession, interested in mentoring future nursing generations, and committed to leaving a positive legacy. Both mentors and mentees in the ANA mentorship program must commit to a long-term relationship of up to 8 months.

ANA recently launched flash mentoring for nurses seeking input from another professional but who can’t make an 8-month commitment. Flash mentoring offers a convenient and flexible one-time mentoring opportunity for those seeking rapid knowledge transfer.

The mentor and mentee online communities provide a safe space for nurses to discuss mentorship challenges and successes. Each online community has a dedicated manager who offers feedback and provides resources, guidelines, and tips on successful mentoring relationships. This timely and convenient professional development opportunity is a free ANA membership benefit.

Tips for success

A successful mentoring relationship starts with an icebreaker between the mentor and mentee, whether connecting via phone, video call, or, when possible, in person. Committing to regular meetings (whether weekly, biweekly, or monthly) and establishing the best form of communication lays the foundation for a successful relationship. Both parties must feel comfortable and set meeting intervals and communication styles that fit their personal schedules. Dedicating time and making a commitment are crucial.

Mentees should think about what they want from a mentoring relationship and come to the first or second meeting with ideas to help formulate clear goals. For example, if the mentee wants to go back to school for a nurse practitioner degree but needs clarification on where to begin, one goal could be to review MSN programs in the area and see if the mentee meets their matriculation requirements. The mentor could help the mentee set SMART (specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound) goals. During meetings, the mentee could review what they’re learning and create more goals to progress toward entering an MSN program.

Practicing communication skills (writing down thoughts or ideas to discuss before meetings, actively listening to each other, and being transparent) supports a positive mentoring relationship. Continually evaluating the relationship, formally or informally, helps ensure that it remains positive and helpful.

Most mentors achieve personal and professional satisfaction from the relationship knowing that their support and guidance helps the mentee.

National Mentoring Month

Each January marks National Mentoring Month, a nationwide campaign that elevates mentoring relationships and raises awareness about their importance. Nurses can get involved in the mentoring movement by participating in important events throughout the month, from I Am a Mentor Day

(January 7, 2024) to Thank Your Mentor Day (January 21, 2024). The highlight of the month is the Dr. Martin Luther King (MLK) Day of Service, which takes place this year on January 15.

Mentors and Mentees can express gratitude and bring awareness to the power of mentoring by spreading the word about National Mentoring Month on social media platforms and encouraging more nurses to become mentors. If you’re a mentee, consider posting notes of appreciation in the ANA online mentoring community to recognize the individuals who’ve encouraged and guided you.

January 17th was my last day with ISNA. I have accepted an offer to join the legal department at Moffitt Care Center in Tampa, FL. I am forever grateful for the last 12 years I have spent working at ISNA. In that time, ISNA membership has more than doubled, the legislative update newsletter became the year-round ISNAbler, ISNA has moved offices, had three different executive leaders, and five different Presidents, including two separate Dr. Embree terms. ISNA continues to strengthen under the leadership of Dr. Feley and our Board of Directors and the engagement of our committees, volunteers, and interns. Thank you for the privilege of serving Indiana's nurses.