Relates to the educational preparation for practice of professional nursing

Summary of provisions

Section 1 outlines the legislative intent of the bill.

Section 2 amends subdivision 2 of section 6905 of the education law in several key respects. First, this section would require that in order to continue to maintain registration as a professional nurse in New York state, such person must attain a baccalaureate degree in nursing within ten (10) years of initial licensure. Second, this section would allow the State Education Department to issue a conditional registration to a licensee who fails to complete the baccalaureate degree but who agrees to meet the additional requirements within a year. Furthermore, the section outlines the additional fee for such conditional registration, as well as provides for a one year conditional registration which may be extended, with the payment of a fee, for no more than one additional year. Finally, this section calls for disciplinary proceedings to be taken against any licensee who is notified of the denial of a registration for failure to complete the additional educational requirements and who practices as a registered professional nurse without such registration

Section 3 outlines that the provisions of this act shall not apply to: (1) any student entering a generic baccalaureate program preparing registered professional nurses after the effective of this act; (2) 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 (3) any person already licensed as a registered professional nurse or any unlicensed graduate professional who is eligible to take the National Council Licensure Examination as of the effective date of this act.

Section 4 provides the effective date

Justification

In December 2003, the New York State Board of Nursing unanimously passed a motion recommending that statutory change be sought requiring future licensed registered nurses to attain a baccalaureate degree in nursing within ten years after initial licensure to practice in New York, More recently, the National Advisory Council on Nursing Education and Practice ("NACNEP") recommended that by 2010, two-thirds of nurses should hold baccalaureate or higher degrees. This position was based on NACNEP's analysis of evolving needs associated with patient care and public protection. Specifically, shorter lengths of stays, higher patient acuity, and more sophisticated technologies and procedures are increasing the complexity of patient care, and because of this, are placing significantly greater demands on the competencies of nurses.

This bill is not anticipated to reduce the supply of nurses in New York. To the contrary, prospective nurses are currently in such supply that a 2004 study at the Center for Health Workforce Studies at SUNY Albany showed that over 2,000 qualified students were denied admission to nursing programs. As the bill lays out, those who are already nurses, those who are currently enrolled in nursing programs, and those with admissions pending to nursing programs are exempt from this change. Importantly, this bill will allow continuation of entry at the associate degree level where many nurses begin their educational careers.

In an effort to facilitate the implementation of additional educational requirements for registered professional nurses, the New York State Associate Degree Nursing Council and the Council of Deans of Nursing, Senior Colleges and Universities of New York ("CDNSCUNY") have actively collaborated to standardize requirements between the associate and baccalaureate degree levels. In December 2004, CDNSCUNY adopted the position that registered nurses prepared in New York State associate degree nursing programs applying to baccalaureate degree programs would be granted 30 nursing credits in addition to liberal arts and sciences credits that could be applied to the 120 credits needed for a baccalaureate degree.

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

Legislative history

2014 - S. 5924 (Flanagan) Higher Education Committee. 2013 - S. 5924 (Flanagan) Rules Committee. 2013 - S. 658 (Stavisky) Higher Education Committee; Enacting clause stricken. 2011/2012 - S. 2553-A (Alesi) Higher Education Committee. 2009/2010 - S. 1074 (Alesi) Higher Education Committee. 2007/2008 - S. 294 (Alesi) Higher Education Committee. 2005/2006 - S 5056-A (Alesi) Higher Education Committee.

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.