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In a landmark decision, South Korea’s National Assembly has passed the Nursing Act, officially recognizing and regulating the role of Physician Assistant (PA) nurses within the nation’s healthcare system. This legislation, approved on August 28, 2024, provides a legal framework for PA nurses to assist physicians during surgeries and undertake certain medical procedures traditionally performed by doctors.
The Nursing Act aims to address the ongoing shortage of medical professionals, a situation exacerbated by a prolonged strike by trainee doctors protesting government plans to increase medical school admissions. By empowering PA nurses, the government seeks to mitigate disruptions in medical services and ensure continuous patient care.
The Korean Nurses Association has lauded the passage of the Act, viewing it as the culmination of a 19-year effort to establish a nursing care system that supports universal health coverage. They believe the law lays a solid foundation for the state to train, deploy, and secure skilled nursing personnel. The path to upscale nurses as PAs also occurs in other countries, including Zimbabwe where they train mid-wife nurses to be clinical officers to provide maternal surgical care.
The Nursing Act is scheduled to take effect in June 2025, providing a nine-month period for the development of detailed enforcement ordinances that will define the specific duties and scope of practice for PA nurses. As South Korea navigates this significant shift in its healthcare landscape, the successful integration of PA nurses will depend on clear guidelines, comprehensive training, and ongoing collaboration among all healthcare stakeholders.
By Scott Smalley, IAPAE Immediate Past President
