hb 03-1284 - "concerning changes to the nursing programs at state-supported institutions of higher education, and, in connection therewith, directing the colorado commission on higher education to implement a plan designed to increase access to, enrollment in, and graduation from nursing certificate and nursing degree programs." (rep. debbie stafford, r-aurora and sen. steve johnson, r-fort collins)
declares that there must be substantial changes in the nursing education programs in this state to eliminate barriers that limit access to, enrollment in, and graduation from nursing programs. declares that the barriers that must be addressed include: a) delays in and denial of approval of nursing programs; b) limits on the number of qualified applicants accepted to nursing programs; c) poor application processes; d) unavailability of course and clinical work; and e) the failure to implement more nurses for the colorado fund. further, repeals the authority of the state board of nursing to approve nursing programs in this state and grants such authority to the colorado commission on higher education(cche).
hb 03-1284 also repeals the authority of the state nursing board to determine whether institutions outside colorado have acceptable education programs for the purposes of nursing licensure requirements as well as the requirement that an institution in colorado seek approval from the state nursing board for its educational programs that prepare individuals for licensure as a practical or professional nurse. state institutional program approval shifts, under the bill, to cche. cche would be required to submit specific data to the colorado general assembly regarding nursing courses in each state-supported institution of higher education that offers nursing courses. the bill further requires cche to direct the governing board of each institution to secure participation from health care providers and to ensure timely, effective, and efficient use of moneys donated for the "more nurses for colorado" fund.
hb 03-1284 further requires cche and the governing board of each institution, on or before july 1, 2004, to develop, approve, and implement a plan to increase access to, enrollment in, and graduation from the nursing certificate and degree programs.
the bill requires each plan; a) to include specific methodologies, course and clinical work, application processes, and an academic subcommittee; b) to ensure an immediate increase in nurse graduates and clinical sites offered; c) each institution to annually report data regarding certificate and degree programs in nursing to cche; and d) cche to analyze such data and report the data to the state legislature. current status as of 2/11/2003: introduced in the house 1/31 and assigned to the house health, environment, welfare and institutions (hewi) committee. awaiting hewi committee hearing.
