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Committee backs pilot to let community colleges offer bachelor’s in nursing amid workforce debate
Summary
AB 1400 would authorize a pilot allowing up to 15 community college districts to offer a bachelor of science in nursing (BSN). Supporters said it would increase affordable local access to BSN degrees and help fill a projected nursing shortage; CSU and UC representatives urged using existing transfer partnerships instead.
The Senate Education Committee voted to send Assembly Bill 1400 to the Senate Appropriations Committee after supporters argued the measure would expand affordable, local access to bachelor’s‑level nursing education and help address a projected statewide shortage of registered nurses.
AB 1400 would authorize the community college chancellor’s office to select up to 15 community college districts to establish pilot bachelor’s‑level nursing programs (BSN). The bill’s author said community colleges are the most affordable access point for many students—particularly in rural and underserved regions—and allowing local BSN programs would help retain students who otherwise must move away or take costly private options.
Supporters included the United Nurses Associations of California and numerous community college districts and workforce organizations, which described students who cannot complete a BSN because of cost or distance. “A BSN offered directly through the community college would be life‑changing for students like me,” nursing graduate Betty Limone testified, describing high private‑school costs for BSN completion.
The California State University chancellor’s office opposed the measure in committee testimony, arguing that CSU–community college partnership programs (ADN‑to‑BSN pathways) are a proven, faster, and more cost‑effective way to expand BSN capacity and that creating stand‑alone BSN programs at community colleges risks duplicative costs, faculty and clinical placement constraints, and slower start‑up. UC also registered respectful opposition. Proponents said the pilot would be targeted to regions with demonstrable need and could leverage local partnerships; the committee advanced the bill on a unanimous vote.
