AB1400 – Community College BSN Pilot Program

AB 1400 by Assemblymember Esmeralda Soria authorizes up to 15 community college districts to establish a Baccalaureate Degree in Nursing program. The bill requires participating colleges to have a nationally accredited ADN program, and for priority to be given to districts in underserved nursing areas. The pilot program would sunset in 2035.

Support for AB 1400

  • AB 1400 addresses the state’s healthcare workforce needs by authorizing California’s community colleges to offer Baccalaureate Degrees in Nursing (BSN) degrees.
  • AB 1400 would be implemented within the existing ADN infrastructure, meaning that there would be no new significant costs to participate in the pilot program, and clinical placements would not be impacted.
  • The healthcare workforce shortage requires a multi-pronged approach, and AB 1400 offers one option for students to earn their BSN degree. This will not create competition with other public institutions, as all approaches are necessary to solve the current nursing challenges faced by the State.
  • When students are not admitted into a public BSN program, they turn to for-profit and private institutions. This is an unnecessarily expensive option when the local community college could offer the program at a lower cost. Many capable students are also priced out of the option to attend a private university or are forced to incur tremendous amounts of debt.
  • AB 1400 offers an affordable and accessible option for students to earn their BSN degree, unlock advanced career opportunities, and meet the nursing needs of their local community.
  • AB 1400 offers the opportunity to educate a more diverse healthcare workforce through affordable and accessible BSN programs.

 

Action Items

We encourage you to join the League’s Support Letter to AB 1400.

  • To express support, please send the following to Nune Garipian at nune@ccleague.org by Thursday, June 26 th.
    • Your district/college logo
    • Your CEO’s signature (a jpg of their wet signature)
  • AB 1400 is headed to the Senate Education Committee and will be voted on in June.