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Senate approves bill expanding practical nursing curriculum access for LPN students in high school
Summary
Senate Bill 644, amended to expand access to the full practical nursing curriculum and allow students to begin in 10th grade with existing dual-enrollment grants, passed unanimously 31-0 on third reading.
The Tennessee Senate unanimously approved a measure to expand practical nursing curriculum access for licensed practical nurse (LPN) students in secondary schools.
Senate Bill 644, as amended by the Health and Welfare Committee, passed on third and final consideration with a vote of 31-0. The amendment allows the Board of Nursing to approve curricula that give LPN students access to the full practical nursing program, increasing available clock hours and permitting students to begin coursework in the 10th grade under career and technical education (CTE) pathways.
Chairman Crow (Chair, Health and Welfare Committee) described the amendment as expanding a pathway to credentialing: under current practice LPN students can take only a limited pre‑practical nursing program while in high school; the measure would permit access to the full 1,296 clock hours (rather than the current 432 hours available in the pre‑practical program) and align the coursework with existing dual‑enrollment grants to fund the instruction. The bill also enables students to sit for required credentialing exams after completing the program.
Supporters framed the bill as a workforce and education initiative to address statewide nursing shortages by giving students earlier access to the full practical nursing curriculum and credentialing pathway.
The clerk recorded the vote: Ayes 31, Nays 0; the presiding officer declared the bill amended and passed.
Votes at a glance: Senate Bill 644 — Vote: Aye 31, Nay 0; outcome: passed.
