The Board of Examiners for Nursing on Nov. 19 approved curriculum and admissions changes for the Practical Nursing program at Griffin Hospital School of Allied Health Careers.

Kayla Bennett, director of the Practical Nursing program, told the board the school seeks to revise its admissions process by making the HESI A2 admission score cumulative (a combined 70% across English and math) and by offering a pre-nursing course focused on math to improve student success. "We would like to combine that to be a cumulative 70%," Bennett said, explaining the change would help applicants who score unevenly across sections but demonstrate overall aptitude.

Bennett also proposed moving the contemporary trends and pediatric concepts courses to later semesters and shifting about 15 hours of ACP course content back into med-surg to reduce cognitive overload in semesters 2 and 3 and promote deeper learning in semester 4.

Board members pressed the program on math competence, dosage calculations and whether virtual or classroom methods adequately prepare students for hands-on tasks. Lisa Freeman said she was concerned that lowering emphasis on individual math scores could permit candidates who are weak in calculation to enter clinical practice without sufficient skills. Bennett responded that the program includes a dosage-calculation course in the first semester, separate dosage exams each semester and ongoing student-success support for close follow-up.

After discussion, the board took a roll-call vote and approved Griffin’s proposed curriculum and admissions revisions. The board noted it will continue to monitor program outcomes and testing performance as the changes take effect.