BRN committee puts Merritt College nursing program on warning with intent to revoke after program director vacancy

The Education and Licensing Committee of the California Board of Registered Nursing on June 17 recommended placing Merritt College—s associate degree nursing program on warning status with intent to revoke after finding longstanding noncompliance and learning the program will lack a program director as of July 1, 2025.

Committee Chair Jovita Dominguez said the program has been in noncompliance for more than two years and that recent submissions show minimal progress. The committee—s supervising nursing education consultant, Mary Anne McCarthy, told members that the program—s assistant director left effective May 30 and the program director is scheduled to retire June 30, leaving the program without either role on July 1.

The committee summarized why the item matters: without a program director the board cannot allow a program to continue operating because the director is responsible for managing faculty, clinical assignments and student progression. Loretta Melby, the board—s executive officer, told Merritt College representatives the board would have to call an emergency full-board meeting and relocate students if no director is in place by the July 1 date.

Merritt College representatives said the college has prioritized hiring. A college representative, David, said the district and faculty union approved a memorandum of understanding that raised the posted salary for the program director opening by more than $40,000 to try to attract candidates. He said a candidate had initially accepted but later withdrew. Dawn, a Merritt program representative, told the committee the program currently enrolls 21 students with a projected May 2026 graduation for that cohort and that the college has agreed to hold admissions for fall 2025.

Committee members pressed for immediate, concrete steps. Mary Anne McCarthy and Executive Officer Melby explained options the college has under board rules: an instructor with two years of approved teaching experience can be approved as assistant director and temporarily serve as acting program director; a program director from another community college can also temporarily assume responsibilities; and there is no board rule requiring a program director to be physically on campus.

After discussion the committee voted to defer formal action on continuing approval and recommended placing the Merritt College associate degree nursing program on warning status with intent to revoke. The committee asked the college to submit a hiring plan for the program director, assistant director and faculty hires by the board—s next meeting in August and to return to the committee or board quarterly until noncompliances are cleared. Committee members also noted the board will take immediate action if no program director is in place by July 1.

The committee—s action is a recommendation to the full board; the board will consider ratification at its next meeting.

What the committee asked for next: Merritt College must provide a hiring plan and regular progress reports to the assigned nursing education consultant; the committee recommended that the college keep current students supported while holding new admissions.

The committee framed the warning status as a remedial step: if the program demonstrates substantive corrective action within one year it can retain approval; if not, regulation (California Code of Regulations, Title 16, section 1423.2) permits revocation.