[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6545806,"mediaKeyId","3342284-5c455a0221cbb99601d1a1b71e720a01","parentId",3342284,"title","Quest Nursing Education Center’s approval process draws contention; board receives attorney and program director responses","audioSeconds",442,"startMs",5528000,"endMs",5970000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3342284-5c455a0221cbb99601d1a1b71e720a01&start=5528&end=5970","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3342284-5c455a0221cbb99601d1a1b71e720a01/thumbnail_5528000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6545806/California/Quest-Nursing-Education-Centers-approval-process-draws-contention-board-receives-attorney-and-program-director-responses","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6545806-eb84479ae2ee55e608414a753403ca90/orig.mp4?Expires=1771117726&Signature=KSDelJ~MwK6XZKSPQ2GCYY3wsCSQqT4BAg2qRDqQ82DC9omkSHM~dCl9QfuvO-vwwC8urI4bos3ELIIF4hQ~ZPZ3VbjqjZLgipQGFq~mce7xRCNIlM4y5iIVET~1eFYoFC6bAqVRMEpEDFoDKPY3uADSchPON2fzD74U4G6EzIPwcntkzAlZPoR1obKBgFky6lp0OMFTtPZOSTGDuGWVax7Mze1Fzqo7fXAHvKTfsXbGH97Elgifadkqs4uljcApI~qsNPA1wntSMlMLelWQHrwImhoLB7hTrvg05ckHubfAyz91bgmYYsZrCP8XIcVvsT-pGhURQA1oGuLHkFQEEg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Respiratory Care Board of California","date","2025-05-17T07:17:20Z","article","A contested review of Quest Nursing Education Center’s continuing approval application and its request to admit multiple cohorts dominated a portion of the board's May 16 meeting, with the program’s attorney and program director contesting the NEC report and the subsequent handling of follow-up submissions.

An attorney representing Quest, James Eric Smith, raised procedural concerns about the NEC process: Quest submitted its continuing-approval application in December 2024 and, the attorney said, was not given required missing-item notifications within 30 days. He told the board there were inconsistent instructions from NEC staff about tutoring documentation and that a March unannounced evaluation occurred before the program could implement or demonstrate corrective actions.

Program director Dr. Stacy Alettu said the program has been \"working very, very hard to keep our program compliant\" and disputed several NEC observations, including assertions about classroom conduct and tutoring. Dr. Alettu described changes the program had made to admissions testing thresholds and adoption of ATI for student preparation and a pre-graduation \"boot camp\" to promote NCLEX success.

NEC staff (Miss Davila) responded that the NEC report stands as submitted and that follow-up materials had been reviewed but that outstanding concerns remained. Public commenters associated with Quest, including faculty and program staff, disputed specific observational claims in the NEC report and described operational improvements.

Board members asked questions about fees (the program director stated total student cost is $30,000) and the timeline of submissions. At an initial roll-call, several members recorded abstentions; the meeting chair indicated the item would be tabled due to insufficient votes. Later in the meeting counsel advised the board that under applicable civil-code provisions the majority of those who actually voted determines the outcome; counsel stated the motion passed, recording a tally of 3 yes, 0 no, and 3 abstentions.

Why it matters: Quest’s review illustrates how continuing-approval processes can involve both technical program-evaluation issues and procedural due-process questions. The exchange also shows how differing interpretations of meeting and voting rules can affect final outcomes.

What comes next: The board's record indicates NEC follow-up review will continue and that staff will process required documentation. The board directed staff to monitor compliance and will revisit any unresolved deficiencies in future agendas if necessary.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Board of Vocational Nursing and Psychiatric Technicians- Board Meeting- May 16, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Quest Nursing Education Center’s continuing-approval application and request for multiple cohorts prompted extended public testimony and attorney statements about procedural irregularities. The board’s final disposition was procedurally complex; legal counsel later confirmed the motion passed based on the votes cast.","taxTitle","Respiratory Care Board of California, Boards and Commissions, Executive, California","taxId",76751,"location","California","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6545811,"At a glance: Board approves program admissions, minutes and takes legislative positions at May 16 meeting",1180,2728000,3908000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3342284-5c455a0221cbb99601d1a1b71e720a01&start=2728&end=3908","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3342284-5c455a0221cbb99601d1a1b71e720a01/thumbnail_2728000.jpg","/articles/6545811/California/At-a-glance-Board-approves-program-admissions-minutes-and-takes-legislative-positions-at-May-16-meeting","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6545811-bbe274b59c9aa6e065f3d22d09f3b74e/orig.mp4?Expires=1771117726&Signature=n~tH705ka1uD5eTY5MHt3iIU0pOy~lbIT0IFTzTkPIPtvoM7UxJhk9OM7V8Ud1vkurZ2xWOTHoRD3T5UqjKVTpaynUl41l5uG65WXg~AmSVN1nZBLejqYTfoJ9S0Vda6NuWl4km6SOP73kU~Gr3EcYLX683VXmPR-KwZBvK7wzlTT8FLTIidKqSIKF22xmqXrZlzC75259VLNdJEOvW0eR5zpcxY2hkemh3ti0W39tRzpNmzLVfDCBlnyJ0joWb1zbc67kxwmW-CdcjoH3GUuBZUUqv5uCUQSJYApKlPCrROTMc9duwPrI2OJxLHRZnKxZSL8OKXEXUTayVgwZXU7Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Board of Vocational Nursing and Psychiatric Technicians took a series of formal actions during its May 16, 2025 meeting, approving minutes, program admissions and a set of legislative or calendar changes. The items below summarize motions, outcomes and recorded votes.

Votes at a glance

- Approval of minutes (02/07/2025): Motion to approve carried (7–0). Roll call recorded seven yes votes.

- Education/executive officer decisions (01/15/2025–04/01/2025): Motion to ratify NEC/executive officer program decisions carried (7–0).

- Program approvals to admit students (NEC recommendations accepted): The board approved admission requests for multiple vocational nursing programs, each by a voice/roll-call vote recorded as carried by 7 yes votes: Platt College — Alhambra (full-time class of 16 to start Sept. 25), Medical Career College (full-time class of 20 to start June 2), Summit College — San Bernardino (multiple classes approved), Glendale Career College (admit 45 full-time day students), Northwest College Pomona (admit 45), Northwest College West Covina (admit 45). The board accepted NEC recommendations and required follow-up reporting where specified.

- California Health Care Skills Center — provisional approval and admission: The board placed the program on provisional approval for two years (effective 05/16/2025), approved a full-time class of 15 students commencing 06/02/2025, and required monthly and six-month reporting and other conditions. Motion carried (7–0).

- Quest Nursing Education Center: The board considered a complex continuing-approval package and a request to admit multiple cohorts. After presentations by the program's counsel and program director and questions from board members, the recorded roll call initially showed abstentions. Legal counsel later advised the board that, under governing civil-code rules, the motion passed based on the majority of the votes cast. Counsel recorded the final tally as 3 yes, 0 no, 3 abstain, and declared the motion passed. (See provenance for full exchange.)

- Calendar change — November 2025 meeting date: The board approved moving the November 2025 meeting from Nov. 20–21 (Thu–Fri) to Nov. 17–18 (Mon–Tue). Motion carried by roll call (6–0).

- Legislative/regulatory positions taken by the board (roll-call outcomes):
- Oppose AB 1082 (out-of-state distance education nursing clinical placements): Board adopted an opposition position; motion carried by roll call (6–0).
- Support SB 389 (pupil health care services, clarifies LVN role in schools): Board adopted a support position; motion carried by roll call (6–0).
- Support SB 470 (open meeting rules extension to 2030): Board adopted support; motion carried by roll call (6–0).

- Legislative proposal to amend Business & Professions Code sections for retired licenses: The board approved proposed language and asked staff to seek legislative inclusion (motion carried by roll call, 6–0).

Why it matters: The board's approvals allow multiple vocational nursing programs to admit new cohorts and set conditions on programs on provisional status. Legislative positions and rulemaking monitoring indicate the board's engagement in interagency scope-of-practice and open-meeting issues affecting licensees, education programs and school health services.

Where to find details: NEC reports, staff budgets and the full meeting recording are posted in the board packet online; several items include follow-up reporting requirements noted in NEC recommendations.","The Board of Vocational Nursing and Psychiatric Technicians approved minutes, multiple program admission requests and several regulatory/legislative positions on May 16. Staff briefed the board on fund condition, and the board approved calendar and retired-license legislative language.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6545815,"Board supports bill to preserve LVN suctioning in schools as Respiratory Care Board advances rulemaking",0,10800000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3342284-5c455a0221cbb99601d1a1b71e720a01&start=10800&end=10800","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3342284-5c455a0221cbb99601d1a1b71e720a01/thumbnail_10800000.jpg","/articles/6545815/California/Board-supports-bill-to-preserve-LVN-suctioning-in-schools-as-Respiratory-Care-Board-advances-rulemaking","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6545815-252f40c8dd99a31059976a6353ac530c/orig.mp4?Expires=1771117726&Signature=b8uIGKbVIK6V0h2dMq-t7LSCf5R7M0WKxX0qTMgJToylWAooK2EXOOH9gxLa1IjH1b7TKqxfe670ccfBdI8rvkl5TuVMCrWBC7HeAJ7MNyf9xjowyOmava0mqNqElCTxYVE9sCYcYWWsfixOt9aVZk7xEHmAvhdi1-UrPAMO0A5fqWaQaRd2ofILAM2NBO98QLCboVS2iRNqw9rxxpo-Qs5w984O72-w3CezEBin9XFQ504zF4rAf6MRiXlwvpv40~j52PPaWbrUq0wkQGKNGAsiMBPjQtwjlPdXQpfDJP-gLRaD7kbJ7Teg~KAbI2AmbI0BF8Bf~~FKu6ldV6i4ow__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Board of Vocational Nursing and Psychiatric Technicians voted to support Senate Bill 389, which the board says is intended to preserve licensed vocational nurses' ability to deliver basic respiratory care in school settings.

Executive Officer Elaine Yamaguchi told the board the Respiratory Care Board (RCB) has advanced a rulemaking package that could narrow the circumstances in which vocational nurses perform suctioning and other respiratory tasks outside of regulations the RCB is now developing. \"The Respiratory Care Board would recommend that vocational nurses not be allowed to do suctioning,\" Yamaguchi said, describing RCB discussion of carve-outs for home health and congregate-care settings and noting pushback from school-nurse advocates.

Nicholas Gonzales, the board's education analyst, briefed members on the amended language of SB 389 and the policy context. Gonzales said the bill would add a statutory cross-reference allowing an LVN working under a credentialed school nurse to perform basic respiratory services as defined under Business and Professions Code section 3765, while recognizing that a defined regulatory definition of \"basic respiratory services\" remains unresolved. \"We do not have a defined basic respiratory tasks and services in regulation,\" Gonzales said, adding that the lack of regulatory detail is a gap the respiratory care rulemaking needs to fill.

Public commenters urged the board to protect LVN practice. Shirley Jones, representing an LVN organization, said LVNs have long performed suctioning and warned of risks if that care is restricted. Christina Curry, an LVN instructor, asked how LVNs can protect that scope and sought reassurance that school-based services would be preserved.

The board said it will monitor RCB rulemaking and continue engagement with stakeholders. Members voted to support SB 389 at the meeting; staff said they will notify and coordinate with affected parties as further rule language emerges.

Why it matters: Suctioning can be a critical, time-sensitive intervention for patients with tracheostomies and other respiratory needs. Changes in the RCB's regulations or statutory cross-references could affect how schools, home health agencies and residential-care providers staff and supervise patients who require respiratory care.

What comes next: The RCB's rulemaking will proceed through internal review at the Department of Consumer Affairs and the Office of Administrative Law; the board said it will bring developments back to the board for discussion and possible action as regulatory text becomes available.","The Board of Vocational Nursing and Psychiatric Technicians voted to support SB 389, a measure aimed at protecting school-based licensed vocational nurses' ability to provide basic respiratory services, while staff warned the Respiratory Care Board's separate rulemaking could narrow LVN practice in other settings.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Quest Nursing Education Center’s approval process draws contention; board receives attorney and program director responses

At a glance: Board approves program admissions, minutes and takes legislative positions at May 16 meeting

Board supports bill to preserve LVN suctioning in schools as Respiratory Care Board advances rulemaking