The Texas Board of Nursing convened on April 18, 2024, to discuss critical updates regarding nursing education programs, with a particular focus on the associate degree nursing (ADN) program at South Plains College in Levelland. The meeting commenced with presentations from college representatives, including Dr. Tara Strahan, the program director, and Dr. Jerry Finley, the dean of health sciences.

Dr. Strahan provided an overview of South Plains College, established in 1957, and highlighted that the ADN program has been operational since 1985. The college is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools and has received authorization from the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board to grant degrees. However, the program has faced challenges, particularly following a change in its approval status to "full with warning" in 2023 due to a decline in NCLEX pass rates.

Dr. Finley elaborated on the circumstances leading to the program's current status. He noted that the previous director, who retired in 2018, was replaced by an interim director whose limited experience did not meet the Board of Nursing's standards. This leadership gap, compounded by the COVID-19 pandemic, significantly impacted the program's ability to maintain educational quality and student success.

The board was informed that corrective measures have been implemented since an in-person survey in October 2023, aimed at addressing the issues identified. Despite these efforts, the program's NCLEX pass rate of 79.5% has raised concerns, prompting the board to consider a potential shift to conditional approval status.

The meeting concluded with an invitation for board members to ask questions and discuss the implications of the program's challenges. The South Plains College representatives expressed their commitment to improving the program and ensuring compliance with the Board of Nursing's standards.

Overall, the discussions underscored the ongoing efforts to enhance nursing education in Texas, particularly in light of the challenges faced by rural community colleges. The board's next steps will likely involve close monitoring of the program's progress and further evaluations in the coming months.