Passage of the Nursing Law: Will PA Nurses' Roles and Medical Shortages Be Resolved?

On August 28, 2024, the long-awaited Nursing Law was passed by the National Assembly. 

On August 28, 2024, the long-awaited Nursing Law was passed by the National Assembly. Amidst conflicts over medical shortages and resident doctor departures, we explore how the Nursing Law aims to address these issues, and what challenges and prospects lie ahead.

The background and process of the Nursing Law’s passage are as follows. First proposed in the 17th National Assembly in 2005, the Nursing Law faced numerous attempts and debates before finally passing this time. There was significant contention over the law, with resistance from other medical professions and political controversies leading to previous rejections. However, due to the current issues of medical shortages caused by resident doctor departures, the Nursing Law gained renewed attention, and a dramatic agreement was reached between the government and political parties.

The core of the Nursing Law is to provide legal grounds for Physician Assistant (PA) nurses to assist doctors in medical activities. Previously, PA nurses performed a significant portion of doctors' duties without legal authorization, causing job insecurity. The passage of the Nursing Law allows PA nurses to work without legal anxiety and is expected to help address medical shortages.

However, not all issues are resolved. The specific scope of PA nurses' duties will be determined by a future decree, which may become a key point of debate. Additionally, the Korean Medical Association has strongly opposed the Nursing Law, expressing concerns about the impact on the residency training ecosystem and medical safety. The conflict between the government and doctors remains unresolved.

Nursing assistants also have expressed dissatisfaction with the Nursing Law. Currently, nursing assistant exam qualifications are limited to high school graduates, and there are demands to extend eligibility to graduates from specialized high schools and colleges. The Nursing Law did not provide a clear resolution for this issue, indicating that further social discussions are needed.

The passage of the Nursing Law is a significant step in clarifying the legal rights of nurses and PA nurses and addressing medical shortages. However, challenges remain, and it is crucial to navigate future discussions and conflicts effectively. We hope for a resolution that satisfies both the medical community and the public.