The course of instruction of an approved school of vocational nursing shall consist of not less than the required number of hours of instruction in such subjects as the board may from time to time by regulation determine, together with the required number of hours in the care of medical, surgical, obstetrical patients, sick children, and such other clinical experience as from time to time may be determined by the board.

The board shall, by regulation, provide for the approval of courses of instruction expressed in hours of instruction, or academic units, or which require satisfactory demonstration of skills and behavioral competencies.