Nursing schools and programs: faculty members, directors, and assistant directors.

Existing law, the Nursing Practice Act, establishes the Board of Registered Nursing in the Department of Consumer Affairs to license and regulate the practice of nursing. A violation of the act is a crime. Existing law imposes specified duties on the board related to the approval and regulation of schools of nursing and nursing programs whose graduates are eligible to apply for a license to practice nursing. In this regard, existing law requires the executive officer of the board to develop a uniform method for evaluating requests and granting approvals. If the board requires the approval of the faculty or directors, as described above, this bill would authorize the board to approve an individual to serve as a member of the faculty, director, or assistant director of an approved school of nursing or nursing program. The bill would require the board to approve an applicant for individual approval if the applicant submits a completed application, as described, and to display an individual's approval status through an online search tool administered by the department. The bill would make the approval valid for 5 years and would authorize the board to renew the approval, as provided. If required by the board for directors and assistant directors of an approved school of nursing or nursing program, the bill would require an approved school of nursing or nursing program to continue to report to the board changes in the nursing program's director and assistant director of nursing positions, except as specified. Because the bill would expand the scope of a crime under the act, the bill would impose a state-mandated local program. 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.