Berryhill’s Bill Addressing Nursing Shortage Passes Through Assembly

By Bill Johnson Published May 22, 2007 05:05 pm Updated Jan 31, 2009 01:48 pm

Sacramento, Ca — A bill that would require Associate Degree Nursing programs in community colleges to adopt merit-based admission policies has passed through the California Assembly.

Many of these programs currently admit students through a lottery system or on a first-come, first-served basis. AB 1559 is designed to reduce the high drop out rates that have become accustomed to these programs.

“Not only do nursing programs need to be expanded, we also must increase the number of students completing these programs,” says Assemblyman Tom Berryhill who authored AB 1559.California already has the lowest number of nurses per capita in the nation. With population growth and aging we are facing a serious nursing shortage.”

Berryhill´s 25th Assembly District covers Calaveras and Tuolumne County. AB 1559 will now go to the Senate for debate.

Written by BJ Hansen