Washington State House of Representatives Office of Program Research | BILL ANALYSIS |
Higher Education Committee |
HB 1808
This analysis was prepared by non-partisan legislative staff for the use of legislative members in their deliberations. This analysis is not a part of the legislation nor does it constitute a statement of legislative intent. |
Brief Description: Creating an interdisciplinary work group with faculty from a paramedic training program and an associate degree nursing program.
Sponsors: Representatives Hinkle, Morrell, Bailey, Green and Kelley.
Brief Summary of Bill |
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Hearing Date: 2/11/09
Staff: Andi Smith (786-7304)
Background:
Training Programs
The State Board for Community and Technical colleges has approved 24 community and technical colleges to offer practical nursing programs (LPN).
The Department of Health (DOH) approves paramedic training programs currently offered at Bellingham, Spokane, Tacoma, Clark, and Columbia Basin Community Colleges culminating in the award of either a certificate or an Associate of Applied Science degree. The DOH has also approved entities like fire departments to offer paramedic training, however, for these programs students must already be trained as an EMT or firefighter.
Equivalencies and Competencies
Course equivalency is a term that describes how a course offered by one college or university relates to a course offered by another. If a course is viewed as equal or better than the course offered by the receiving college or university, the course can be counted as equivalent and can be used to meet graduation requirements. Faculty typically review course syllabi, skill competencies, and learning outcomes in determining whether a course is equivalent to another.
Competencies or "skill competencies" are the knowledge, skills, and abilities that a student should be able to demonstrate after completing a course of study. For instance, students who complete LPN programs must be able to evaluate heart rate patterns, and assess and monitor peripheral blood pressure. In some cases, competencies are used as the basis of determining course equivalency.
Summary of Bill:
The State Board for Community and Technical Colleges (SBCTC) must identify a community or technical college that offers both a paramedic training program and nursing program. Faculty from both programs must form an interdisciplinary workgroup to identify course equivalencies and skill competencies between the two programs. The workgroup must report its finding to the SBCTC by December 1, 2009.
The SBCTC may use the findings from the workgroup as the basis for statewide policies governing articulation between paramedic and nursing programs.
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Requested on February 9, 2009.
Effective Date: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of the session in which the bill is passed.