STAND. COM. REP. NO.  730-08

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2008

RE:   H.B. No. 2165

Honorable Calvin K.Y. Say

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-Fourth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2008

State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committee on Consumer Protection & Commerce, to which was referred H.B. No. 2165 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO NURSING,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose of this bill is to alleviate the shortage of nurses by allowing a bachelor's degree graduate who has completed the pre-licensure portion of a master's entry program in nursing (MEPN) at an accredited nursing school to apply for the licensing examination for registered nurses.

     The Board of Nursing, University of Hawaii, Hawaii State Center for Nursing, and several concerned individuals testified in support of this bill.

     MEPNs offer accelerated programs with entry at the Master's level for college-prepared individuals with no prior nursing experience or education but who have at least a bachelor's degree and are pursuing a career as a registered nurse.  By facilitating these programs, this bill supplements traditional baccalaureate nursing programs by providing an additional pathway to careers in nursing.

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Consumer Protection & Commerce that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 2165 and recommends that it pass Third Reading.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Consumer Protection & Commerce,

____________________________

ROBERT N. HERKES, Chair