Ala. Admin. Code r. 610-X-3-.03

Current through Register Vol. 43, No. 1, October 31, 2024

Section 610-X-3-.03 - Outcome Standards

(1) Graduates shall demonstrate theoretical and clinical competence for entry into practice.

(2) The Board-calculated prelicensure annual pass rate for each prelicensure program shall be published by the Board annually.

(3) Programs shall develop, maintain, and adhere to their written plan for the systematic evaluation of the program that is comprehensive, demonstrates ongoing evaluation, is based on program outcomes, and incorporates continuous improvement. The systematic evaluation plan shall include:

(a) Collection, aggregation, analysis and trending of data.

(b) Programmatic outcomes, levels of achievement, evaluative criteria, assignment of responsibility, frequency of assessment, methods of assessment, actions taken, and quantitative data collected.

(c) Ongoing evaluation and revisions based on the evaluation.

(d) A mechanism for accountability for academic integrity.

(4) Programs shall maintain and produce, at the Board's request:

(a) An articulation plan for program graduates.

(b) A plan for accepting new or transfer students that ensures that due consideration is given to all prior general and nursing coursework that an incoming student has completed successfully with other accredited institutions.

(5) Approved Nursing Education Programs shall be evaluated for continuing approval by the Board not less than every five (5) years, but may be evaluated more frequently based on deficiencies, identified areas of concern, or receipt of a complaint.

(a) Additional oversight of new programs shall take place throughout the first five (5) years of operation. This may include progress reports every 6 months on program, leadership, consistency of faculty, numbers of students, and trends of NCLEX pass rates, as well as the regularly collected annual reports.

(6) Nursing programs shall complete the Nursing Education Annual Report in a format specified by the Board within the time specified.

(7) The Board may review and analyze various sources of information regarding program performance, including, but not limited to:

(a) Periodic Board survey visits, as necessary.

(b) Board-recognized national nursing accreditation site visit reports, to include results of findings, pass rates, and other pertinent documents. The Board may accept all or partial evidence prepared by a program to meet national nursing accreditation requirements. The nursing program shall:

1. Submit to the Board copies of accreditation related correspondence from the national nursing accrediting agency within 30 days of receipt.

(c) Results of ongoing program evaluation.

(d) Other sources of evidence regarding achievement of program outcomes, including, but not limited to:

1. Student retention, attrition, and on-time program completion rates.

2. Sufficient type and number of faculty, to include retention and turnover.

3. Clinical learning experiences that are sufficient to achieve program outcomes (goals and course objectives) through the practice of nursing care or observational experiences.

4. Degree of compliance with nursing program accrediting body requirements for national licensure examination pass rates as calculate and determined by the nursing program accrediting body.

5. Trend data/action planning related to overall NCLEX performance and advanced practice certification exam performance.

6. Performance improvement initiatives related to program outcomes.

7. Program complaints/grievance review and resolution.

(8) Education Program Annual Report.

(9) Continuing approval will be granted upon the Board's verification that the program is in compliance with the Board's nursing education administrative rules in Chapter 610-X-3.

Ala. Admin. Code r. 610-X-3-.03

New: Filed September 25, 2006; effective October 30, 2006. Amended: Filed September 21, 2007; effective October 26, 2007.

Amended by Alabama Administrative Monthly Volume XXXV, Issue No. 02, November 30, 2016, eff. 1/5/2017.

Amended by Alabama Administrative Monthly Volume XXXVI, Issue No. 10, July 31, 2018, eff. 9/3/2018.

Amended by Alabama Administrative Monthly Volume XXXVII, Issue No. 11, August 30, 2019, eff. 9/9/2019; operative 1/1/2020.

Amended by Alabama Administrative Monthly Volume XXXIX, Issue No. 02, November 30, 2020, eff. 1/14/2021.

Amended by Alabama Administrative Monthly Volume XXXIX, Issue No. 12, September 30, 2021, eff. 11/14/2021.

Amended by Alabama Administrative Monthly Volume XL, Issue No. 08, May 31, 2022, eff. 7/15/2022.

Rule 610-X-3-.02 was renumber to .04 as per certification filed September 25, 2006; effective October 30, 2006. Rule .04 was renumbered to .05 and replaced by new .04 as per certification filed November 19, 2010; effective December 24, 2010. Rules 610-X-3-.03, Distance Education, and 610-X-3-.04, Out of State Programs Conducting Clinical Experience in Alabama, are repealed and Rule 610-X-3-.05 renumbered .03 per certification published November 30, 2020; effective January 14, 2021.

Author: Alabama Board of Nursing

Statutory Authority:Code of Ala. 1975, § 34-21-5.