Draft Enforcement Decree of "Nursing Act" Announced... No Subordinate Legislation Yet for PA Nurses

Transfer of Licensing and Qualification Regulations from the Medical Service Act

The Ministry of Health and Welfare announced on April 25 that it will publicly announce the draft enforcement decree and enforcement rules of the "Nursing Act," which include transferring nurses' licenses and qualifications from the Medical Service Act and legalizing the Association of Nursing Assistants, until June 4.

The Nursing Act, which was enacted on September 20 last year and is scheduled to take effect on June 21, aims to contribute to public health by improving the supply and expertise of nursing personnel and thereby enhancing the quality of nursing services.

The enforcement decree and enforcement rules of the Nursing Act transfer relevant matters previously regulated under the Medical Service Act, including the licensing and qualifications of nurses and advanced practice nurses, the qualifications of nursing assistants, the national examination, and the organization of the Central Nurses' Association.

They also stipulate matters related to the establishment and articles of association of the Association of Nursing Assistants. According to Article 20 of the Nursing Act, nursing assistants may establish a nationwide Association of Nursing Assistants as prescribed by Presidential Decree.

In addition, the enforcement decree and enforcement rules of the Nursing Act regulate matters such as education to prevent human rights violations against nurses, the formulation of annual nursing policy implementation plans, the conduct of surveys on the status of nursing personnel, and the composition and operation of the Nursing Policy Deliberation Committee.

However, subordinate legislation regarding the scope of practice for physician assistant (PA) nurses has not yet been established. PA nurses have effectively performed unlicensed medical practices under the direction of medical institutions, but with the enactment of the Nursing Act, their roles have been institutionalized.

The Ministry of Health and Welfare plans to establish the "Regulations on the Performance of Physician Assistant Duties by Nurses," which will specify detailed standards and contents for nurses' physician assistant duties, based on the opinions of relevant organizations and experts.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.