AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 49 and Title 63, relative to schools of nursing.
Summary
SB0644 amends Tennessee law governing nursing education to expand access to practical nursing programs at public institutions governed by the Tennessee Board of Regents. The bill requires the board to allow a student to enroll in a practical nursing program if the student has a high school diploma or equivalent, meets the institution’s admission requirements, and is admitted to the program. It also authorizes those institutions to offer dual enrollment programs in pre-practical nursing and practical nursing to high school students in the 10th grade or above, provided they meet program requirements and are admitted.
The bill further provides that a student completing a practical nursing program may sit for the NCLEX-PN, the national licensure exam for practical nurses. It authorizes the Department of Health to adopt rules to implement the new provisions under the Uniform Administrative Procedures Act. The act takes effect July 1, 2025.
Impact
The bill changes Title 63 and Title 49-related nursing education policy by creating a statutory pathway for practical nursing enrollment and dual enrollment at Tennessee Board of Regents institutions, and by clarifying eligibility to take the NCLEX-PN upon program completion. It affects public higher education institutions, high school students seeking early nursing pathways, practical nursing programs, and the Department of Health, which must promulgate implementing rules.
Sentiment
The bill appears to have been broadly supported and noncontroversial. It passed the Senate Health and Welfare Committee unanimously and cleared floor votes in both chambers without any recorded opposition, including final concurrence on the House amendment. The voting history suggests strong bipartisan agreement on expanding nursing education pathways and workforce development.
Contention
There is little evidence of substantive contention in the available record. The only likely points of discussion would have been the expansion of dual enrollment into a licensed health profession and the role of state boards and the Department of Health in setting eligibility and implementation rules. However, the unanimous votes indicate no significant opposition from either chamber or committee members.
AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 4; Title 8; Title 33; Title 36; Title 37; Title 48; Title 49; Title 52; Title 53; Title 55; Title 56; Title 62; Title 63 and Title 68, relative to health.