SSHB320 4465 3469 HOUSE SUMMARY OF SENATE AMENDMENTS HB 320 2023 Regular Session Turner NURSES: Provides relative to nursing education Synopsis of Senate Amendments 1.Clarify that an individual is not required to complete a nurse aide training program if he successfully passes an approved nurse aide competency evaluation examination. Digest of Bill as Finally Passed by Senate Present law provides for the requirements to be licensed as a practical nurse. Present law further provides that an applicant shall have successfully completed the course in an accredited school for the training of practical nurses. Proposed law instead requires the applicant to successfully complete either an education program for practical nurses at a program approved by the La. State Board of Practical Nurse Examiners or an education program for registered nurses at a program approved by the La. State Board of Nursing. Present law provides for certified nurse aides employed by a nursing facility or contracted by a nursing facility to provide nursing assistant services to the residents of a nursing facility. Present law further provides for the regulation and registration of certified nurse aides by the La. Dept. of Health (LDH). Proposed law allows an individual who successfully completes one semester of a registered or practical nursing program that includes a course on foundational nursing skills to apply to take a nurse aide competency evaluation examination approved by LDH. Proposed law further provides that an individual who successfully passes an approved nurse aide competency evaluation examination may register with the La. Certified Nurse Aide Registry and shall not be required to complete a nurse aide training program. (Amends R.S. 37:970(3); Adds R.S. 40:2120.52(C)) Page 1 of 1