SACRAMENTO, Calif. – Senator Ochoa Bogh (R-Yucaipa) announced the introduction of Senate Bill 975, legislation aimed at helping California community college nursing programs fill critical leadership positions and expand capacity at a time of persistent statewide nursing shortages.
“California’s nursing shortage is a serious issue impacting patients and communities across the state, especially in rural and underserved areas,” said Senator Ochoa Bogh. “This bill removes unnecessary barriers while keeping strong standards in place, so community colleges can staff their programs, train nurses, and keep their doors open to students who want to serve where they are needed most.”
SB 975 clarifies that the Board of Registered Nurses may approve remediation pathways for nursing directors and assistant directors, aligning their approval process with the existing options already available to nursing faculty. This change would allow qualified candidates to serve under mentorship while completing required qualifications, ensuring programs can remain fully staffed and accredited.
California’s community college nursing programs play a vital role in training nurses who often go on to serve rural and medically underserved communities. However, rigid qualification rules and a limited pool of eligible applicants have made it difficult to recruit and retain nursing program leaders, putting some programs at risk of reduced enrollment or closure.
“California’s nursing shortage remains one of the most urgent workforce challenges facing our state. California Community Colleges play a critical role in preparing the next generation of registered nurses, often educating students who stay in their communities and help fill essential local healthcare gaps,” said Daren M. Otten, Ed.D, Superintendent/President, Copper Mountain College.
“At the same time, colleges, particularly rural colleges, face unique challenges in recruiting and developing qualified nursing faculty and program leaders," Otten continued. "This bill creates clear pathways to strengthen the pipeline for nursing directors and assistant directors, while ensuring the California Board of Registered Nursing continues to uphold rigorous standards for program quality and patient safety. I am grateful to Senator Rosilicie Ochoa Bogh for her leadership and partnership on this important effort.”
The bill builds on prior reforms by clarifying existing law and explicitly authorizing conditional approval and remediation plans for nursing directors and assistant directors under board-approved mentorship. By doing so, SB 975 helps ensure continuity in nursing program leadership and supports efforts to grow California’s nursing workforce.