Governor Charlie Baker issued emergency orders last week to further support the healthcare workforce and expand its capacity. One provides accelerated licensing of physicians educated in foreign medical schools. Specifically all graduates of international medical schools who have satisfactorily completed at least two years of postgraduate medical training in an accredited program are eligible for licensure. The Board of Registration in Medicine will expedite its review.
Another order authorizes nursing practice by graduates and senior students of nursing education programs. Under the executive order, senior nursing students and nursing school graduates who have not yet taken the NCLEX exam are eligible to work as nurses under the supervision of a licensed provider for the duration of the public health emergency. The Board of Registration in Nursing will be issuing guidance regarding supervision and the responsibility of students and the supervisor.
A second effort to engage nursing students in the COVID-19 response comes through the Executive Office of Elder Affairs. Third- and fourth-year nursing students have the opportunity to practice as Patient Care Technicians in the post-acute setting. Students who wish to apply for these positions, or post-acute organizations wanting to hire into this role, are encouraged to do so through the COVID-19 Long-Term Care Facility Staffing Team Intake portal. Students will be matched with organizations hiring Patient Care Technicians, using criteria collected in the portal.