Utah’s 2025 Legislative session ended on March 7, 2025. During the 2025 session, policymakers focused their attention on several keys bills that will have a lasting impact on the profession of nursing and healthcare delivery throughout the state. A series of bills were introduced, debated, and passed that aim to improve working conditions, improve patient outcomes, provide services for vulnerable populations, and alter healthcare delivery systems through innovative policy measures.

Throughout the legislative session, UNA focused our efforts on several bills that met our Public Policy Agenda of promoting health principles and professional practice and workforce principles. In previous legislative sessions, UNA has been quite successful in campaigning for bills that support our Public Policy Agenda. Despite some policy defeats, UNA was able to work with legislators to provide testimony, support, and calls to action that resulted in the passage of bills that reflect the value of nursing practice. The following is the result of our diligent efforts during this legislative session.

HB 275 First Responder Volunteer Tax Credit, introduced by Representative Monson, was aimed at providing a tax credit to first responders that volunteer their time to provide emergency services to rural Utah communities. Initially, HB 275 received a favorable recommendation from the House Revenue and Taxation Committee. Once the bill moved to the House floor, it was passed with a resounding 66-5-4 vote. The bill then moved to the Senate, where the Senate Rules Committee determined not to act upon it, therefore, the bill was sent back to the House and was filed as not being passed. UNA continues to support Rep. Monson in his efforts and hopes that he intends to introduce this bill again in 2026.

HB 14 Emergency Service Personnel Amendments, sponsored by Representative Thurston, would allow licensed emergency medical personnel to provide non-911 emergency medical services in certain circumstances and with appropriate medical supervision. This would allow an emergency medical service employee, such as an EMT or paramedic, to provide non-emergency services in hospitals, emergency rooms, clinics, or at an event. Ultimately, this would improve workflow and patient care. This bill passed the House and the Senate and was signed into law by Governor Cox on 2/27/25.

HB 40 School Safety Amendments, sponsored by Representative Wilcox, aimed to modify school safety provisions, including $25,000,000 in appropriations to address the modifications within the bill. This bill, in the original form, included $2,000,000 of ongoing yearly funding specifically for school nursing. Currently, only 12% of Utah students are at the Utah recommended nurse to student ratio of 1:2000. Certain districts in the state have a 1:5130 nurse to student ratio. After multiple substitutions, the ongoing annual funding for school nurses was cut, however, the final version of the bill was signed by Governor Cox on 3/26/25.

HB 100 Food Security Amendments, sponsored by Representative Clancy, would establish a program to provide school lunches, at no cost, to students that met eligibility criteria. Rep. Clancy reached out to UNA for support on this bill and in turn, we sent out a call-to-action request to all nurses in Utah and the subsequent Utah nurse response was positive. This bill had multiple substitutions and was vehemently debated in the House and the Senate. The final version of the bill appropriated $2.5 million for K-12 students with an eligibility criterion of $67,000 for a family of five. While the original fiscal note for the bill took several hits during the committee debates, the final version was passed by the House and Senate and was signed by Governor Cox on March 25, 2025.

HB 52 Health Insurance Modifications, sponsored by Representative Pierucci, would require a health benefit plan to count all payments paid on behalf of an enrollee towards the enrollee's deductible whether it was paid by the enrollee or another party. This bill never made it out of the House Rules Committee (the starting point for House bills) and was filed for bills not passed. Again, we support Rep. Pierucci in future introductions of this bill.

HB 152 Health Care Facilities Amendments, sponsored by Representative Hall, aimed to establish minimum staffing standards for freestanding emergency rooms. This language would require a minimum of two registered nurses at each facility 24 hours a day, would require a respiratory therapist 24 hours a day, and would require laboratory services at each facility. Several UNA Government Relation Committee members testified on behalf of this bill during the interim session and the 2025 legislative session on capitol hill. We collaborated with the Utah Emergency Nurse Association, American Nurses Association, and the national Emergency Nursing Association on this effort. UNA worked with Rep. Hall diligently for nearly a year on this bill and after some minimal substitutions, UNA is proud to say that this bill passed the House and the Senate and was signed into law by Governor Cox on March 24, 2025. While requiring two nurses on staff at freestanding emergency rooms may seem trivial to some, it is imperative to note that this is the first law in Utah that includes in language regulating nurse staffing standards. UNA is hopeful that this is the first step in the creation of nurses staffing standards in all nursing specialties.

UNA would like to recognize and thank Representatives Katy Hall and Logan Monson. They are the two registered nurses in the Utah House that have shown UNA great support, respect, and have continually collaborated with us during the 2025 legislative session. We hope to continue to expand this relationship with them and look forward to working with them moving into the 2026 session. UNA would also like to thank the members of the Government Relations Committee for their outstanding work and efforts in addressing 2025 bills.

While this is just a review of some of the bills that impacted the nursing profession in 2025, UNA will now turn our focus to 2026 and concentrate our efforts on establishing relationships and sponsors for bills that address our Public Policy Agenda with the expectation to improve nursing working conditions, as well as health and wellness for all Utahns.

Dear Members of the Utah Nurses Association,

I would like to extend my heartfelt thanks to the Government Relations Committee for its exemplary work during this legislative session. Your dedication and hard work not only shaped impactful policy but also brought us together in a memorable Nurses Day at the Legislature- a true celebration of our shared passion for health care and advocacy.

At the core of our profession is the ethical standard set forth in the ANA Code of Ethics. This standard guides our day-to-day interactions with patients and underpins our commitment to advocacy for the nursing profession. It reminds us that every encounter- whether it be in the hospital, clinic, or community- carries the potential to change lives. Similarly, as we navigate the evolving landscape of policy, it is crucial that we continue to let our voices be heard. Regardless of whether we agree with the direction that policy is trending, our collective commitment to ethical advocacy has the power to transform challenges into opportunities for progress.

I firmly believe that nurses possess the unique ability to change the world. Our influence stretches far beyond patient care and into the very fabric of our communities and governance. To further harness this power, I urge you to consider getting involved in policy development at every level- from federal and state initiatives to local and organizational decision-making. Consider joining advocacy groups, participating in town hall meetings, or contributing your expertise during policy consultations. Set a goal for yourself: whether it is to volunteer for a legislative committee, serve as a policy advisor in your healthcare organization, or engage with local government, your voice is essential.

Let us seize every opportunity to shape a future that upholds the highest standards of care and champions the vital role of nursing in society. Thank you to all the nurses across our state for the fantastic work you do every single day. Your unwavering commitment and compassion continue to inspire change, drive excellence, and ultimately, improve lives.

With sincere gratitude,

Dr. Andy Nydegger  

President, Utah Nurses Association

This column shares resources on a regular basis to highlight services provided free to all nurses and those services that are offered only with UNA/ANA membership. UNA and ANA consider it a professional courtesy to offer a variety of contemporary resources to all nurses across the country regardless of membership status. UNA/ANA membership dues help support these offerings but also assist in providing significant discounts for members on a variety of professional and personal services. 

In each quarterly issue of the Utah Nurse, this column features examples of free and member-only services to support your ongoing engagement and professional development in nursing.  Consider joining UNA/ANA to support our mission and to receive full member-only benefits!  Go to the “Membership” menu tab on the UNA Website for more information.

**Free Resources for ALL Nurses

UNA/ANA membership dues help support this free offering available to all nurses.

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In the ever-evolving world of healthcare, staying informed is not just an advantage -- it's essential. The American Nurses Association is dedicated to bringing you the most relevant, up-to-date information and insights from the world of nursing. Whether you're on the front lines of patient care or shaping the future of healthcare policies, the ANA newsletter has something for everyone in the nursing profession. Subscribing to our newsletter means joining a community dedicated to excellence in nursing. It's easy, free, and a great way to ensure you're always one step ahead in your profession. Your journey toward enhanced professional development and staying informed starts here. Subscribe today and start receiving the latest in nursing directly to your inbox!

ANCC Well-Being Excellence Webinar

Join an upcoming informational webinar to learn how the new ANCC Well-Being Excellence™ credential can help you lead the way in creating a healthier, more supportive work environment for all members of your organization. Learn the benefits of the Well-Being Excellence credential, eligibility requirements, speak directly with experts in the Q&A session, and more. A variety of dates and times in April, May, and June are available on the registration link

**Resource for UNA/ANA Members ONLY

Members can:

Strengthen the Nursing Profession

• Take member surveys and influence ANA's agenda.
• Join grass roots advocacy efforts.
• Donate to the ANA-PAC and help support pro-nursing Members of Congress from all parties.
• Get involved by going to org to sign up for alerts and participate in ANA’s current legislative initiatives.
• Check out ANA’s Advocacy page for the latest news and information on how ANA’s Policy and Government Affairs team is working for you.

Not a member yet? Take advantage of this great benefit by joining UNA/ANA here

Make Your Voice Heard at Both the State and National Level:

• Federal lobbying on issues of import to nursing and health care
• Representation of nursing to federal agencies and their regulatory processes
• Advocating at the state level to ensure nursing practice to the full extent of our education and training; having a voice in the community through representation by UNA members at the legislature
• Influencing ANA and UNA policy development

Advance Your Career:

• Free Navigate Nursing webinars (option to pay for CNEs) plus many offerings at no cost
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• ANCC - save $125 on ANCC initial certification and renewals
• Personal & professional networking opportunities with peers

Stay Current:

• Subscription to the American Nurse Today, a monthly journal (10 print/2 electronic)
• OJIN - The Online Journal of Nursing - peer reviewed, posted three times a year
• Receive Essential Documents: ANA Code of Ethics for Nurses with Interpretive Statements, Nursing Scope and Standards of Practice; and Nursing’s Social Policy Statement
• Regular, timely e-communications from UNA and access to members-only information
• Legislative and Regulatory Updates – we’ll keep you current on issues that may affect your practice and the health of Utahns.

I never wanted to be a nurse, it was never on the horizon and certainly wasn't part of the narrative within my family. Sure, I had doctors and physical therapists, but nursing didn't make sense. Unlike the US, where student nurses have often attained associates or other degrees before entering a nursing program, I was able to start nursing school straight out of high school. I can still remember my first semester, I was 17, and at the end of my first clinical, my instructor told me that I had a wonderful mannerism with geriatric's, that I should consider that area of nursing. I was horrified, first because I didn't know what a geriatric was and second because I wasn't even sure I wanted to be a nurse.

As we enter the next month and celebrate another Nurses' Week, I want to take some time to recognize the nurses who have touched my life as mentors, supporters, and friends. Dr. Carol Windsor, a fierce proponent of independence in nursing, sought power for the nurse outside the restraints of organizational power. Dr. Sara Hawkins, a mentor who sought to strengthen education for undergraduate nurses. Dr. Carma Miller, a dedicated and passionate educator who continues to guide undergraduate and graduate nursing students in Utah. Dr. Melissa Neville-Norton who has used her position to push the forward movement of graduate programs of nursing in Utah. Dr. Cynthia Beynon, who's role within education ensures that Utah continues to remain at the forefront of nursing education in masters and doctoral programs.

My hope during these next few months is that you each take time to look back at your careers to see the people who have helped and supported you. I hope that you also take the time to look around you and see how you are helping and supporting others and that you finally take a chance to look forward and seek out opportunities to influence the next generation of nurses.

The American Nurses Enterprise, comprised of the American Nurses Association, the American Nurses Credentialing Center, and the American Nurses Foundation, was recognized by Cigna Healthcare for deploying a robust offering of resources to support wellness initiatives as well as developing policies that reinforce a safe, healthy, and supportive work environment. In addition to program strengths, the American Nurses Enterprise examined programmatic opportunities to incorporate policies that focus on social determinants of health. Read more here.

Please direct all questions/inquiries about your APRN, RN, and LPN licensure, including Continuing Nursing Education requirements, to the Utah governmental agency responsible for your licensing:

Utah Division of Professional Licensing (DOPL)
 Link to website   
Phone number (801) 530-6628

The Utah Nurses Association (UNA) represents the interests of the state’s over 47,000 registered nurses and is a voluntary, membership-based, professional, non-profit organization dedicated to advocacy for the nursing profession and health of Utahns. UNA is a Constituent/State Nurses Association (C/SNA) member of the American Nurses Association (ANA).  UNA is not the state licensing agency, however, it provides information and resources for Continuing Nursing Education to meet state licensing requirements.

Nurses Service Organization (NSO), in collaboration with CNA, has published our 4th Edition of the NSO/CNA Nurse Liability Claim Report. It includes statistical data and case scenarios from CNA claim files, as well as risk management recommendations designed to help nurses reduce their malpractice exposures and improve patient safety.

You may access the complete report and additional Risk Control Spotlights at www.nso.com/nurseclaimreport.

This Nurse Spotlight focuses the analysis and risk recommendations regarding one of the most significant topics in the report and for nursing professionals: Healthcare Documentation.

Nursing Allegations Related to Healthcare Documentation

While documenting care represents a critical component of nursing processes and standards, the electronic health record [EHR] has posed a level of complexity for nurses who are often challenged with why, how, what and where to document in a patient’s EHR.

Documentation deficiencies are contributing factors to many nurse professional liability claims, as well as license protection matters. However, in the 4th Edition of the NSO/CNA Nurse Liability Claim Report, failure to document or falsifying documentation closed claims, as an allegation of professional liability, increased in distribution and severity when compared to the 2011 closed claim report and the 2015 closed claim report. Below is an example of a professional liability claim asserted against a nurse due to the failure to document:

Nurse Legal Case Study: Absence of documentation in violation of nursing standard of care

The patient was admitted to a rehabilitation facility after undergoing a right hip arthroplasty. Due to the patient’s other co-morbidities, her rehabilitation and recovery was slow and difficult. The patient’s health continued to deteriorate during her admission, until her death four months following admission. After the death of the patient, the family (plaintiffs) filed a complaint with the Department of Health (DOH) regarding the patient’s care at the facility.

The DOH investigated the complaint and cited 13 violations in the nursing standard of care. In particular, the DOH was critical of the absence of documentation related to care plans for the Foley catheter, the patient’s weight loss (from 93 to 77 pounds over four months), and neither shower nor self-care was documented for a timespan of more than five weeks. The insured registered nurse (RN) was the facility’s wound care nurse, and the DOH’s investigation found several violations of the nursing standard of care specific to the RN’s lack of documentation. First, the DON found a lack of documentation regarding a nursing incision wound for a period of approximately three weeks. The RN told the DOH surveyor that daily assessments were performed during that time, but since the wound care orders were to leave the right hip incision wound open to air, no treatment was performed, so the RN did not document anything. The patient also had a left heel pressure injury that was not healing, and the RN agreed that this non-healing injury had not been appropriately assessed or documented. Moreover, the director of nursing informed the DOH surveyor that the RN was required to perform weekly assessments on all patients in the facility. However, none were noted in the patient’s healthcare information records during a three-month period.

After seeing the DOH report, the family sued the facility and sued the insured RN separately. Knowing the challenges of the missing documentation and the negative DOH report, mediation was proposed with the plaintiffs. The total incurred amount to defend and settle this case on behalf of the insured RN was greater than $270,000.

In the 2011 closed claim report, 0.2 percent ($31,250) of all closed claims were related to inadequate or inappropriate documentation as the primary allegation. This data increased slightly to 0.5 percent ($139,920) in the 2015 closed claim report. Respectively, in the 2020 closed claim report, documentation allegations represent 2.0 percent ($238,761) of all closed claims.

License Protection Allegations Related to Documentation Errors and Omissions

A license protection matter and a professional liability claim reflect a number of differences. First, a license protection matter only involves the cost of providing legal representation to defend the nurse before a regulatory agency or State Board of Nursing (SBON). On the other hand, professional liability claims include an indemnity or settlement payment. Second, license protection matters asserted against a nurse’s license to practice may or may not involve allegations related to patient treatment and care. The Nurse Spotlight: Defending Your License provides an overview of the role of the State Board of Nursing in the legal/regulatory system, describes the disciplinary process, and imparts helpful recommendations on defending yourself if you were to receive a complaint summons.

A nurse’s license is one’s livelihood, and its protection is paramount. A nurse’s practice and behavior is expected to be safe, competent, ethical and in compliance with applicable laws and rules. However, when a complaint is filed, nurses must be equipped with the resources to adequately defend themselves. Being unprepared may represent the difference between a nurse retaining or losing the license to practice, a suspension or fine.

The False Claims Act

While documentation deficiencies may result in a professional liability claim and/or a license protections matter, nurses also may be subject to federal and state sanctions for knowingly falsifying healthcare documentation under the federal False Claims Act (FCA). The FCA imposes liability on any person who submits a claim to the federal government that they know (or should have known) is false. An example may be a healthcare provider who submits a bill to Medicare for medical services they know they have not provided. The False Claims Act also imposes liability on an individual who may knowingly submit a false record in order to obtain payment from the government. For additional information on fraud and abuse laws, please see the Office of Inspector General’s provider education materials on Fraud & Abuse Laws.

Healthcare Documentation: Minimizing Risks, Maximizing Benefits

NSO/CNA is often asked about documentation risks and recommendations to minimize those risks. Nurses are certainly aware that there are patient healthcare documenting fundamentals. The healthcare information record is a legal document that is an essential tool to:

• Document the services provided regarding the patient’s illness or injury, response to treatment, and caregiver decisions;
• Communicate documented information about the patient’s plan of care and outcomes to the health care team
• Communicate information to other nursing professionals and healthcare providers;
• Support the appropriate information for billing coding; and
• Serve as the organization’s business and legal

Because complete, accurate and legible healthcare records constitute an essential risk management measure, nurses should maintain proper documentation practices and follow facility policies and procedures governing appropriate and comprehensive records documentation. The facility’s healthcare record documentation policies and procedures should address, at a minimum:

• Correcting documentation errors;
• Delineating appropriate use of the copy and paste function in the electronic healthcare record;
• Documenting practices during electronic system failures or outages (“down-time”);
• Maintaining patient confidentiality;
• Releasing patient healthcare information records and auditing practices; and
• Procedures for late or delayed

Risk Management Recommendations: Documentation

Maintaining a consistent, professional patient healthcare information record is integral to providing quality patient care, ensuring consistent communication among all professionals caring for the patient, documenting patient care outcomes and response and establishing the basis for an effective defense in the event of litigation. The following guidelines can help reduce risk:

Documentation – Clinical Content

• Document nursing actions in accordance with facility requirements and patient needs, capturing the following information as clinically indicated:
  • results of each nursing assessment
  • pertinent nursing observations
  • patient complaints or concerns
  • significant changes in the patient’s condition
  • any change in the patient’s care plan
  • relevant monitoring findings, treatment or episode of care, as well as the patient’s response to that care
  • facts relating to any patient accident or incident, including evidence of any injury, all parties notified, nursing care provided and patient’s condition after care is rendered
  • laboratory and diagnostic test results, especially those that are abnormal and require provider notification and/or intervention
  • referral and consultation requests and results
  • telephone, face-to-face and electronic contacts with other members of the healthcare team, including the content of discussions and agreed-upon follow-up.
• Document discussions with the patient about medical issues that require additional explanation by any healthcare practitioners and provider(s).
• Record medications administered, including injections, ointments and infusions, as well as a description of the patient’s response as Also record self- administered medications.
• Detail nursing observations during patient
• Specify patient’s questions and answers given regarding the nursing care/service plan, as well as the goals and methods of treatment.
• Describe the patient’s response to nursing
• Note the review of current problems and plan of
• Assess skin and wound condition, including clinical findings and observations, and interventions, the nursing care/service plan and the patient’s response to treatment.
• Document practitioner notification of a change in condition, symptoms, or patient concerns and document the practitioner’s response and/or orders, as well as any changes in the treatment plan
• Summarize communications with practitioners, including those via telephone, facsimile and e-mail, text messages and patient portal communication and note any subsequent orders and nursing interventions.
• Note use of an interpreter, including the interpreter’s contact information, as well as the patient or family member’s willingness to communicate with an interpreter.

Documentation – Medications and Prescriptions

For additional information regarding medications and prescriptions, refer to the Nurse Spotlight: Medication Administration.

Documentation – Diagnostic Tests, Referrals, Consultations

• Contact the patient’s healthcare provider to report abnormal test results and any provider orders for additional testing or follow-up and document the interaction.
• In cases of a non-response/delay or urgent/emergent consultation, contact the consulting physician(s) or practitioner(s) to confirm that the consulting provider was notified of the consultation request and to facilitate the timely provision of the consultation and receipt of the results, as needed. Document these actions in the patient’s healthcare information record.
• Utilize the chain of command to report abnormal laboratory results and the results of consultations if the ordering/primary care provider (physician, APRN, PA) is not available or does not respond to messages.
• Initiate additional steps, if necessary, to ensure timely patient These may include escalating to the supervisor/ nurse manager, administrators, attending or covering physician, licensed independent practitioner and/or medical staff leadership until the abnormal result is addressed.

Documentation – Patient Education

• Describe patient and family healthcare education encounters, listing the presence of specific family members and their relationship to the patient.
• Document an assessment of the patient’s ability to comprehend and repeat information provided using a “teach-back” approach, both immediately and after a few minutes have elapsed to test accurate recall.
• Provide a written assessment of the patient’s appropriate demonstration of procedures/taught tasks, such as blood glucose testing or application of dressings.
• Maintain a copy of written materials provided and document references to standard educational tools.
• Retain patient-signed receipts for any educational materials If a family member or friend receives the education materials due to the patient’s cognitive abilities, reflect a note in the healthcare information record to that effect. The family member’s or friend’s name should be documented as the person that received the materials.
• Document the use of interpreters, if needed, and include the interpreters’ contact information.

Awarded to RNs pursuing BSN, graduate and postgraduate nursing study, and formal nursing programs - advanced practice nurses,
and students enrolled in undergraduate nursing programs

ALERT!  Applications are DUE June 1, 2025
Award notices will be sent by July 15th

Scholarship Eligibility and Online Application HERE

The American Nurses Association (ANA) is requesting public comment on the first-ever competencies for Precision Health, developed by its Precision Health Workgroup. These competencies outline the essential knowledge, skills, and attitudes (KSAs) needed for nurses to integrate Precision Health into their practice. Click here to access the PDF of the Precision Health Competencies document. ANA encourages a wide range of feedback and asks participants to share the announcement with peers, students, healthcare consumers, and others. Comments should be submitted through this survey platform, which allows users to save progress and return later. Participants are asked to reference specific competency numbers in their feedback, and any questions can be directed to practice@ana.org. The deadline for comments is May 2, 2025, at 5 p.m. EST.

Grand Canyon continues to grow within the Utah market. As a hybrid program, with students completing didactic online and in-person clinical, lab, and simulation, students are being prepared for the clinical world with a holistic approach. Approximately 60% of current students have an associate's or degree before enrolling in the nursing program, making these students dedicated, focused, and ready for the intense nature of nursing education.

From the start of 2025 the simulation suites at GCU have stand-alone accreditation with the Society for Simulation in Healthcare (SSH), a credit to the simulation suites, faculty, and technicians. This accreditation, along with the partnerships with CommonSpirit Hospitals, further ensures that GCU students are ready to enter practice.

On January 30, 2025, Utah Action Coalition Co-Leads, Joan Gallegos, MSW, RN and Teresa Garrett, DNP, RN, PHNA-BC, lead a national webinar on their Nursing Innovations Funded (AARP and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation) project “Hitting the Bullseye on Structural Racism in Nursing,”

Their presentation describes how the Extension for Community Healthcare Outcomes (ECHO) curriculum is being utilized at Utah nursing schools to identify and dismantle barriers contributing to structural racism in nursing education. The webinar focuses on the strategies and outcomes of this innovative approach, and how it can be applied to create a more inclusive and equitable learning environment for nursing students. Watch it HERE.