The Board of Examiners for Nursing voted Nov. 19 to modify a previous memorandum of decision for Asia Dodwell (petition 2024-1607) and permit Dodwell to complete a preapproved RN refresher course delivered in a hybrid format by a provider approved by the Department of Public Health.

DPH counsel explained that among the three preapproved refresher providers, only ReNurse Academy offers a hybrid option with an 80-hour clinical component that can be delivered as 40 virtual and 40 in-person hours, and that with modification the board could require 40 in-person clinical hours to address hands-on competency concerns. "The second motion requests that the order be amended from an in-person course to a hybrid format ... include that she complete the 40 hours of the clinical portion in person," Attorney Kataya said.

Board members expressed reservations about virtual clinical training and stressed hands-on competence for medication administration and critical nursing tasks. Sal Diaz said he would have voted differently if he had known earlier that the approved course would be hybrid, and he recorded a 'nay' on the final motion. Other board members said the board had previously approved the program as hybrid, noted that Dodwell will be on probation with employer oversight and monthly supervisor reports, and concluded the modification, which passed in roll call.

The board recorded the motion as approved; the transcript shows dissent from one member but no change to the approved remediation conditions that include probationary supervision and monthly employer reporting. DPH indicated the board may request additional documentation from the refresher course provider in future board review.