NY A02079

Requires registered professional nurses to obtain a baccalaureate degree in nursing within ten years of initial licensure to maintain registration in New York State

Exempts all currently licensed nurses, unlicensed graduates eligible to take the National Council Licensure Examination, and students already enrolled in or with pending applications to nursing programs as of the effective date

Allows the Department of Education to issue conditional registration for up to two years (one year renewable once) to licensees who fail to complete the baccalaureate degree, with the same fee as triennial registration

Permits disciplinary proceedings under Education Law Section 6510 against licensees who practice as registered professional nurses without valid registration after denial for failure to meet the educational requirement

Applies only to students entering generic baccalaureate nursing programs after the bill's effective date