Ala. Admin. Code r. 610-X-3-.06

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

Section 610-X-3-.06 - Establishing A New Program

(1)Phase 1: A governing institution that plans to establish a new nursing education program shall submit to the Board a minimum of six (6) months in advance of the expected opening date:

(a) A letter of intent identifying the governing institution, the type of nursing education program, and the status of approval from accrediting bodies and state agencies.

(b) A feasibility study that includes:

1. Purpose of establishing the new nursing education program.

2. Availability of health care agencies with sufficient practice experiences to support the program. Letters of commitment and signed clinical contracts are acceptable documents for inclusion to demonstrate compliance with the standard.

3. Enrollment projections and identification of potential students.

4. Availability of adequate educational facilities and practice sites for clinical learning experiences throughout the life span including evidence of clinical space availability for additional new students in the area.

5. Assurance of adequate financial resources to support the initial and continuing program including submission of the proposed initial budget and continuing budget. Financial statements of the governing institution for the past two fiscal years are acceptable documents for inclusion to demonstrate evidence of financial stability of the governing institution.

6. Plan and resources for recruiting and employing projected number of qualified faculty for theoretical and clinical instruction.

7. Timeline for planning and implementation of the proposed program.

8. Organizational structure of the governing institution and placement of proposed nursing education program within the overall organization.

9. An articulation plan, including agreements, that addresses the transition of students and graduates to other educational institutions.

(c) The Board shall review the letter of intent, feasibility study, and supporting documentation for completeness and compliance with rules and regulations and may provide guidance regarding forward progress of the plan.

(2)Phase II: The governing institution shall submit an application for approval to establish a new program at least three (3) months prior to expected review by the Board.

(a) The application for Establishing a New Program shall include:

1. Demonstration of the potential to meet all standards identified in this chapter, including seeking national nursing accreditation by an agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education within five (5) years of initial approval.

2. Verification that a nursing program administrator or nursing faculty member is employed to develop the nursing program.

3. Verification of availability of qualified nursing faculty to support the proposed numbers of student admissions to the new nursing education program.

(b) Curriculum plan that complies with the standards identified in this chapter, or related to advanced practice education, as required by the accrediting bodies, to include, but not limited to:

1. Philosophy or Mission.

2. Graduate competencies.

3. Curriculum sequence.

4. Course descriptions and objectives, with number of credit hours for all courses.

5. An articulation plan which enables students to advance to the next degree level, if applicable.

(3) A survey may be conducted to amplify, clarify, and verify information in the application.

(4) If all standards for approval are met, the program shall receive approval.

(5) In the event that the proposed program submits an application that substantially satisfies the requirements for both Phases I and II applications, the Board, at its discretion, may grant approval for the program upon review of the initial application.

Ala. Admin. Code r. 610-X-3-.06

Filed September 29, 1982. Amended: Filed July 23, 1997; effective August 27, 1997. Repealed and New Rule: Filed July 22, 2002; effective August 26, 2002. Amended: Filed September 25, 2006; effective October 30, 2006. Amended: Filed September 21, 2007; effective October 26, 2007. Amended: Filed May 16, 2008; effective June 20, 2008. Amended (Rule number only): Filed November 19, 2010; effective December 24, 2010. Amended: Filed June 25, 2012; effective July 30, 2012.

Amended by Alabama Administrative Monthly Volume XXXIII, Issue No. 07, April 30, 2015, eff. 5/26/2015.

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

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.

Rule 610-X-3-.04 was renumber to .06 as per certification filed September 25, 2006; effective October 30, 2006. Rule .06 was renumbered to .07 as per certification filed November 19, 2010; effective December 24, 2010. Rule 610-X-3-.07 renumbered .06 per certification published November 30, 2020; effective January 14, 2021.

Author: Alabama Board of Nursing

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