Findings From a Sexual and Reproductive Health and Abortion Care Survey of California Nurses

To determine the awareness of California nurses about recent legislative changes that expanded the practice of nurses who provide sexual and reproductive health care and abortion care. Valid and reliable paper and online anonymous surveys were used to collect data. Currently employed, registered nurses in California were eligible to participate. A random sample from actively licensed nurses based on Board of Registered Nursing rosters was invited to enroll in the study. Institutional review board approval was obtained, and anonymous surveys and return envelopes were sent to 2,500 nurses. Participants received remuneration. To date, 422 nurses returned surveys with complete data, 47 completed the survey online, and 172 surveys were returned unopened. The total sample with useable data included in this analysis is currently 469 (response rate = 19%). Participants are mostly women (87%), between the ages of 50 and 69 (66%), who were born in California (40%). Only 75% of participants self-identified as White. The majority of participants reported religious or spiritual affiliation (74%), less than half participate in professional organizations (48%), and most were not aware of the laws (86%–88%). Strikingly, 52% of participants felt competent to provide sexual, reproductive, and/or abortion care, despite the frequency at which they reported working with people of reproductive age. Before initiation of new legislation to expand nursing practice, attention should be given to professional readiness and competence of nurses to provide the care expanded under the law.