Test Drive Our New Site! We have some improvements in the works that we're excited for you to experience. Click here to try our new, faster, mobile friendly beta site. We will be maintaining our current version of the site thru the end of 2024, so you can switch back as our improvements continue.
Legislation Quick Search
Advanced Search
Pennsylvania House of Representatives
10/19/2024 03:22 AM
Pennsylvania House of Representatives
https://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/Legis/CSM/showMemoPublic.cfm?SPick=20230&chamber=H&cosponId=41867
Share:
Home / House Co-Sponsorship Memoranda

House Co-Sponsorship Memoranda

Subscribe to PaLegis Notifications
NEW!

Subscribe to receive notifications of new Co-Sponsorship Memos circulated

By Member | By Date | Keyword Search


House of Representatives
Session of 2023 - 2024 Regular Session

MEMORANDUM

Posted: December 15, 2023 01:46 PM
From: Representative Manuel Guzman, Jr.
To: All House members
Subject: Spanish Language Option for Nurse Aide Assessment
 
The National Nurse Aide Assessment Program (NNAAP) is the largest nurse aide certification exam program in the United States and administers over 200,000 exams annually. It is our chosen nurse aide assessment in Pennsylvania, but I was recently alerted of a policy that could limit otherwise qualified test takers from succeeding on this exam. Currently, the NNAAP is only administered in the English language in Pennsylvania – although the test is also available in Spanish – which could serve as a barrier to individuals who do not speak English as their first language. With Pennsylvania experiencing a widespread health care professional shortage, it is essential that we evaluate and remedy any potential limitations preventing qualified individuals from entering the profession.
 
My legislation would join Pennsylvania with several other states that require that any nurse aide preparing to take a state-approved nurse aide exam be given the option to take the exam in English or Spanish. According to data from the United States Census, about four percent of Pennsylvania’s population has reported limited proficiency in speaking the English language, and about nine percent of Pennsylvania’s population is Hispanic or Latino. Currently, thousands of seniors are on waiting lists to receive a bed in a nursing home but are unable to due to worker shortages. In Pennsylvania, 31 percent of nursing homes have more than 20 positions that must be filled. By implementing this accommodation, we can help more nurse aides enter the field and assist both our patients and current and future professionals.
 
Please consider co-sponsoring this legislation that will remove barriers preventing qualified individuals from succeeding on nurse aide assessments, help fight back against our current health care professional shortages, and provide a greater standard of care for Pennsylvania’s patients.