“All who nurse for hire”: Nursing and the mixed legacy of legislative victories

Sustained support of policy initiatives by nursing has resulted in significant legislative victories. One victory, the passage of the 1938 New York State Todd-Feld Act, which underwent legislative debate at a time when the nurse labor market was in disarray, during an economic depression, and before U.S. entry into World War II, reinforces our understanding that nursing must be a strong shepherd for policies beneficial for health care delivery. Designed to correct serious deficiencies in the nursing workforce, the act successfully required licensing for those working as registered and practical nurses. Yet, its provisions failed to stop all unlicensed nurse workers from practicing. Rapid changes occurring in the nurse labor market against the backdrop of growing hospital power over the employment of all nurse workers minimized the act's effectiveness. Policy implications include the need to focus on the complex nature of health care policy initiatives, flexibility in the face of changing circumstances, and acceptance of political realities.