HLS 23RS-271 ORIGINAL
2023 Regular Session
HOUSE BILL NO. 320
BY REPRESENTATIVE TURNER
Prefiled pursuant to Article III, Section 2(A)(4)(b)(i) of the Constitution of Louisiana.
NURSES: Provides relative to nursing education
1 AN ACT
2To amend and reenact R.S. 37:970(3) and to enact R.S. 40:2120.52(C), relative to nursing
3 education; to provide for the qualifications of a licensed practical nurse; to provide
4 for the qualifications of a certified nurse aide; and to provide for related matters.
5Be it enacted by the Legislature of Louisiana:
6 Section 1. R.S. 37:970(3) is hereby amended and reenacted to read as follows:
7 §970. Qualifications of applicants
8 An applicant for a license to practice as a practical nurse shall:
9 * * *
10 (3) Have successfully completed the course in an accredited school for the
11 training of practical nurses. Satisfy either of the following requirements:
12 (a) Complete an education program for practical nurses at a school approved
13 by the board.
14 (b) Complete a minimum of two years of clinical courses provided by a
15 registered nursing program approved by the Louisiana State Board of Nursing.
16 Section 2. R.S. 40:2120.52(C) are hereby enacted to read as follows:
17 §2120.52. State registration of certified nurse aides in nursing facilities
18 * * *
Page 1 of 2
CODING: Words in struck through type are deletions from existing law; words underscored
are additions. HLS 23RS-271 ORIGINAL
HB NO. 320
1 C.(1) An individual who successfully completes one semester of a registered
2 or practical nursing program that includes a course on foundational nursing skills
3 may practice as a certified nurse aide.
4 (2) A nurse aide who satisfies the requirements of this Subsection may
5 register with the Louisiana Certified Nurse Aide Registry and shall not be required
6 to complete a nurse aide training or competency evaluation program.
DIGEST
The digest printed below was prepared by House Legislative Services. It constitutes no part
of the legislative instrument. The keyword, one-liner, abstract, and digest do not constitute
part of the law or proof or indicia of legislative intent. [R.S. 1:13(B) and 24:177(E)]
HB 320 Original 2023 Regular Session Turner
Abstract: Permits a qualifying nursing student to be licensed or certified in a nursing
profession with lesser educational requirements.
Present law states that a licensed practical nurse (LPN) must graduate from an approved
LPN program.
Proposed law retains present law and permits a student to register as an LPN if he completes
two years of clinical courses in a registered nursing program.
Proposed law permits a nursing student who completes a course in the fundamentals of
nursing offered by a practical or registered nursing program shall not be required to complete
a certified nursing training or competency evaluation program and may register as a certified
nurse aide (CNA) in this state.
(Amends R.S. 37:970(3); Adds R.S. 40:2120.52(C))
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CODING: Words in struck through type are deletions from existing law; words underscored
are additions.