New Requirement for Nurse Training on Suicide Prevention

We know that our patients need our care, both physically, mentally, and emotionally.  That’s why the state legislature enacted a new law in 2016 requiring 6 hours of training for every licensed RN, LPN, and ARNP on suicide prevention.

The law requires a one-time training course (at least six hours in length) in suicide assessment, treatment, and management. The law requires the Washington State Department of Health to adopt rules establishing the minimum standards for the training programs by June 30, 2016, and to approve training programs beginning January 1, 2017.  For now, nurses need not act.  Once the training program has been established, likely in 2017, all nurses will need to take a 6-hour course.

For more information, check out the full article on the Department of Health’s website: Suicide Prevention Training.