Bill > SB1323

This bill amends the Nurse Practice Act to establish comprehensive new requirements for registered professional nursing education programs in Illinois. The bill aims to ensure that nursing education programs produce graduates who are prepared for safe and effective nursing practice by introducing detailed standards for program establishment, administration, faculty qualifications, curriculum development, and ongoing evaluation. Key provisions include mandating that nursing programs have a clear purpose of promoting safe nursing practice, requiring extensive feasibility studies and approval processes for new programs, setting specific qualifications for program administrators and faculty (such as graduate degrees and clinical experience), establishing curriculum requirements that prepare students for the NCLEX-RN exam, and creating robust accreditation and oversight mechanisms. The bill also introduces a process for program probation and potential closure, provides guidelines for handling emergencies or disasters, and allows the Department of Financial and Professional Regulation to rescind the licenses of individuals who complete programs that do not meet the new standards. Additionally, the bill removes previous provisions about good standing periods for nursing programs and streamlines the requirements for nursing education program approval and maintenance.

https://www.ilga.gov/legislation/BillStatus.asp?DocNum=1323&GAID=18&DocTypeID=SB&SessionID=114&GA=104