Deans and directors press for revision of 20‑year‑old nursing regulations; CCNW launches student and faculty programs

Deans and directors attending the Board of Examiners for Nursing meeting on Dec. 18 urged renewed work on long‑stalled revisions to Connecticut’s nursing education regulations and described a slate of education and workforce initiatives organized by the Connecticut Center for Nursing Workforce (CCNW).

Jeanette Lupiani and Tina Rodriguez (CCNW) told the board many schools are exploring innovative models and should consult DPH before piloting programs. Board members and CCNW participants said the state’s nursing education regulations have not been substantively updated for years; the chair and several board members said a proposed draft of revisions from September 2022 exists but has not been finalized or published. Board members urged DPH and the board to restart the regulatory review process and to involve stakeholders, including deans and directors.

CCNW reported several new and ongoing projects: a 2023 nursing education data story in collaboration with the CT Data Collaborative that now includes NCLEX pass rates, a student success series launching in January (monthly evening sessions to help students transition to practice), a faculty support group starting in February, a nursing summit planned for April 2025, and an AI in nursing education day to bring nursing educators into discussions about artificial intelligence in clinical education.

The chair said she will follow up with DPH, board counsel and CCNW to provide updates and to determine how to proceed with the regulatory revision work. CCNW offered to post board vacancies on its job board to assist recruitment for open positions.