2009S0516-1 02/27/09
By: Deuell S.B. No. 1397
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to establishing the equivalency of competency-based
nursing education programs in other states that meet standards of
quality equivalent to nursing education programs approved by the
Texas Board of Nursing.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Section 301.157, Occupations Code, is amended by
amending Subsection (d-4) and adding Subsection (d-4-a) to read as
follows:
(d-4) The board may recognize and accept as approved under
this section a school of nursing or educational program operated in
another state and approved by a state board of nursing or other
regulatory body of that [another] state. The board shall develop
policies to ensure that the other state's [state board's] standards
are substantially equivalent to the board's standards. For
purposes of this subsection, a nursing program shall be deemed to
meet standards substantially equivalent to the board's standards if
it:
(1) is part of an institution of higher education
located outside this state that is approved by the appropriate
regulatory authorities of that state;
(2) holds regional accreditation by an accrediting
body recognized by the United States secretary of education and the
Council for Higher Education Accreditation;
(3) holds specialty accreditation by an accrediting
body recognized by the United States secretary of education and the
Council for Higher Education Accreditation, including the National
League for Nursing Accrediting Commission;
(4) requires program applicants to be a licensed
practical or vocational nurse, military service corpsman, or
paramedic or to hold a degree in a clinically oriented health care
field with demonstrated experience providing direct patient care;
and
(5) graduates students who:
(A) achieve faculty-determined program outcomes
including passing criterion-referenced examinations of nursing
knowledge essential to beginning a registered nurse practice,
including a transition to the role of registered nurse;
(B) pass a criterion-referenced summative
performance examination developed by faculty subject matter
experts that measures clinical competencies essential to beginning
a registered nurse practice and that meets nationally recognized
standards for educational testing, including the educational
testing standards of the American Educational Research
Association, the American Psychological Association, and the
National Council on Measurement in Education; and
(C) pass the National Council Licensure
Examination for Registered Nurses at a rate equivalent to the pass
rate for students of approved in-state programs.
(d-4-a) An applicant for licensure under this chapter who
has successfully completed a professional nursing education
program in another state meeting the requirements of Subsection
(d-4) and who satisfies the other requirements of this chapter is
eligible for licensure as a registered nurse.
SECTION 2. This Act takes effect immediately if it receives
a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as
provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution. If this
Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this
Act takes effect September 1, 2009.