§ 23.1-903.5 (Effective July 1, 2026) Certain practical nursing programs; common curriculum; transferability to registered nursing programs; pathway of stackable credentials
A. The System, in consultation with the Council, the Board of Nursing, and representatives from associate-degree-granting public institutions of higher education that offer nursing programs, shall develop a common curriculum for practical nursing programs that shall be implemented at each comprehensive community college in the System that offers a practical nursing program. Such common curriculum shall, to the extent possible, (i) align with the degree requirements for registered nursing programs offered at associate-degree-granting public institutions of higher education and (ii) be transferable to each registered nursing program offered at an associate-degree-granting public institution of higher education.
B. Each associate-degree-granting public institution of higher education that offers a registered nursing degree program shall participate in a practical nursing program to registered nursing program transfer agreement with the System that aligns with the practical nursing program common curriculum established pursuant to this section. Any baccalaureate public institution of higher education that offers a nursing program and any private institution of higher education that offers a registered nursing degree program may also be consulted regarding and participate on a voluntary basis in such a transfer agreement.
C. In addition to the common curriculum established pursuant to subsection A and the transfer agreement established pursuant to subsection B, the System, the Council, and any baccalaureate public institution of higher education that offers a nursing program shall establish a pathway of stackable nursing credentials that consists of a practical nursing to associate registered nursing to bachelor of science in nursing program pathway.