Texas Senate Bill SB790

Texas 2009 - 81st Regular

• Out of Senate Committee: 3/30/09
• Voted on by Senate: 4/9/09

Caption

Relating to clinical practice hours available for professional nursing educational programs at certain hospitals.

Impact

The implementation of SB790 is expected to significantly impact nursing education in Texas by providing clearer data on clinical practice opportunities. The bill requires hospitals to report not only the projected but also the actual clinical practice hours available for nursing programs each year. This data-driven approach is expected to aid in identifying facilities with unused clinical hours, enhancing collaboration between educational institutions and healthcare providers. Furthermore, the legislation also aims to improve the quality of nursing education, potentially increasing the number of qualified nurses entering the workforce.

Summary

SB790 is a bill aimed at enhancing the availability and management of clinical practice hours for professional nursing educational programs in Texas. The bill mandates the establishment of a database managed by the statewide health coordinating council to track clinical practice hours at various hospitals. These hours will be reported annually by hospitals to ensure transparency and availability for nursing programs regulated by the Texas Board of Nursing. This initiative is intended to address the needs of nursing students and the healthcare workforce in the state, offering a systematic approach to clinical training availability.

Contention

Some points of contention mentioned in discussions surrounding SB790 include concerns about the potential burden placed on hospitals in terms of reporting and administrative responsibilities. Opponents argue that increased reporting requirements could divert resources and attention away from patient care. Furthermore, there might be debates over how accurately these reported hours reflect actual student experiences in clinical settings, as well as concerns about equity in access to clinical opportunities across various regions in Texas.