Relates to the educational preparation for practice of professional nursing

12 Co-sponsors

• Eric Adams
• Joseph P. Addabbo Jr.
• Tony Avella
• John J. Bonacic
• David Carlucci
• Mark Grisanti
• Ruth Hassell-Thompson
• Liz Krueger
• Andrew J. Lanza
• George D. Maziarz
• Patty Ritchie
• Andrea Stewart-Cousins

BILL NUMBER:S1223

Title of bill

An act to amend the education law, in relation to the educational preparation for practice of professional nursing

Purpose

To expand the educational preparation of registered professional nurses to require that a baccalaureate degree be obtained within ten years after initial licensure while maintaining the multiple entry points into the profession.

Summary of legislation

Section 1: Delineates the requirement and rationale for obtaining a baccalaureate degree within ten years of original licensure.

Section 2. Subdivision 2 of section 6905 of the education law, as amended by chapter 994 of the laws of 1971 and such section as renumbered by chapter 50 of the laws of 1972, is amended.

1) make provision for SED to issue a conditional registration to a licensee who fails to complete the baccalaureate degree but who agrees to meet the additional requirement within a year;

2) outline the additional fee for such conditional registration;

3) provide for a one year conditional registration which may be extended, with the payment of a fee, for no more than one additional year;

4) call for disciplinary proceedings to be taken against any licensee who is notified of the denial of registration for failure to complete the additional educational requirements and who practices as a registered professional nurse without such registration under section sixty-five hundred ten of this title.

Section 3. Outlines that the provisions of this act shall not apply to:

a) any student entering a generic baccalaureate program preparing registered professional nurses after the effective date of this act b) any student currently enrolled in, or having an application pending in, a program preparing registered nurses as of the effective date of this act; and

c) any person already licensed as a registered professional nurse or any unlicensed graduate professional nurse who is eligible to take the National Council Licensure Examination as of the effective date of this act. Section 4. Effective Date

Justification

The National Advisory Council on Nursing Education and Practice, policy advisors to Congress and the U.S. Secretary of Health and Education recommended that by 2010, two-thirds of nurses

should hold a baccalaureate or higher degree. This position was based on their analysis of evolving needs associated with patient care and public protection.

30 nursing credits in addition to liberal arts and sciences credits that could be applied to the 120 credits for the baccalaureate degree for prior completion of course work at the associate degree level.

There are also ever increasing opportunities in New York for distance learning and other innovative teaching strategies that support the registered professional nurses in achieving the additional education required by this bill. Given the enhancements to the compatibility between associate and baccalaureate nursing programs and the ever increasing options for advanced placement and distance ,earning, this bill can be implemented without disadvantaging future new graduates.

By requiring the baccalaureate degree for continued registration as a registered professional nurse, this bill seeks to be responsive to meet the increasingly complex health care needs of the residents of New York State.

Legislative history

Similar legislation was previously introduced.

Fiscal implications

None to the state.

Effective date

This act shall take effect immediately and the commissioner is authorized to promulgate any rule or regulation necessary to implement the provisions of this act.