Nursing: schools and programs: exemptions.

The Nursing Practice Act provides for the licensure and regulation of registered nurses by the Board of Registered Nursing within the Department of Consumer Affairs. The act requires an approved school of nursing or program of nursing to provide a course of instruction approved by the board, covering not less than 2 academic years, be affiliated or conducted in connection with one or more hospitals, and be an institution of higher education. Existing law grants the board the authority to determine by regulation the required subjects of instruction to be completed in an approved school of nursing for licensure as a registered nurse. This bill would exempt an approved school of nursing or approved nursing program that is accredited and maintains accreditation through a national nursing accrediting agency recognized by the United States Department of Education or is a public institution, is accredited through a regional accrediting agency, maintains a minimum pass rate of 80% on the licensing examination for a minimum of 2 consecutive academic years, and meets other specified criteria. This bill would require an approved school of nursing or an approved nursing program that is seeking exempt status to submit an application to the board and would require the board to approve the application if specific requirements are met. The bill would require an exempt school of nursing or an exempt approved nursing program to continue to notify the board of other changes and to continue to submit annual reports to the board. The bill would specify that an exempt approved school of nursing or an exempt approved nursing program is not required to pay fees or seek board approval for certain program changes that are approved by the applicable accreditors or within the scope of the program's accreditation. These changes would include, among others, clinical experience placements at a clinical agency or facility that is already approved by the board to provide clinical practice hours and if the program staff and school or program attest under penalty of perjury that the new clinical placements will not displace existing placements. By expanding the scope of the crime of perjury, the bill would impose a state-mandated local program. This bill would also specify that an institute of higher education or a private postsecondary school of nursing, subject to the above exemption provision, is prohibited from making a payment to any clinical agency or facility in exchange for clinical experience placements for students enrolled in a nursing program offered by or affiliated with the institution or private postsecondary school of nursing. The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the state. Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that reimbursement. This bill would provide that no reimbursement is required by this act for a specified reason.