In a recent government meeting, the board discussed the financial outlook and operational updates for the fiscal year 2023-2024, revealing a projected revenue of over $25 million. The board's reserve balance stands at approximately $17.8 million, equating to about 5 months of reserves. For the upcoming fiscal year, expenditures are estimated at $18.57 million, which includes personnel service adjustments and a conservative 3% increase in ongoing expenditures. The budget office will continue to monitor these projections closely.

The meeting also highlighted significant developments in nursing education programs across California. The Education Division reported a busy period with 28 site visits and the approval of four new nursing programs. Notably, a psychiatric technician program has temporarily withdrawn its application for readiness reasons but plans to reapply in six months.

The board approved requests from several nursing programs, including Smith Chasen College of Nursing, which will admit a class of 30 students in September 2024, and Integrity College of Health, which will admit a part-time class of 20 students in January 2025. Both programs are revising their curricula to align with new federal regulations.

However, not all programs received favorable outcomes. The Sunrise School of Nursing faced a recommendation to deny the admission of a second class due to concerns over compliance and student performance, as two out of nine graduates failed their licensing exam. The board emphasized the importance of maintaining high educational standards and ensuring that nursing programs adequately prepare students for their future roles.

Overall, the meeting underscored the board's commitment to fiscal responsibility and the continuous improvement of nursing education in California, while also addressing challenges faced by specific programs. The board will reconvene to further discuss these matters and monitor the ongoing developments in nursing education.