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Bill

HB 1860

Nursing, Board of; waiver of regulations related to nursing faculty ratios.

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Mike Jones and 2 co-sponsors

Virginia allows its nursing board to waive faculty-to-student ratio regulations, enabling nursing schools to expand enrollment but potentially compromising educational quality and faculty workload.

Acts of Assembly Chapter text (CHAP0084)
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Bill Summary · HB 1860

Legislative bill overview

HB 1860 authorizes Virginia's Board of Nursing to waive regulations that specify minimum nursing faculty-to-student ratios in nursing education programs. The bill grants the Board discretionary authority to reduce or eliminate these ratio requirements, effective July 1, 2025.

Why is this important

Nursing faculty shortages have created capacity constraints in nursing schools, limiting the number of students who can enroll and complete programs at a time when healthcare facilities face significant nursing workforce gaps. This waiver authority could allow schools to expand enrollment and graduate more nurses to address workforce demands, though it may affect the quality of education and student-faculty interaction.

Potential points of contention

  • Quality of education concerns: Lower faculty-to-student ratios could reduce individualized instruction, clinical supervision, and mentorship quality, potentially affecting graduate competency and patient safety outcomes
  • Labor conditions for faculty: Increased student loads without corresponding staffing increases may intensify workload and burnout among nursing educators who already face recruitment challenges
  • Accountability and oversight: The bill grants broad waiver authority without specifying performance metrics, outcome standards, or mandatory reviews to ensure educational quality remains acceptable under reduced ratios

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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