Section 380-7-4 - CRITERIA FOR APPROVALA. Administration and Organization 1. Institutional Accreditation The Governing Organization has regional accreditation and state approval.
2. Institutional organization a. The Governing Organization is a post-secondary institution.b. The organizational chart indicates lines of authority and relationships with administration, the program, and other departments.c. The NEP has at least equal status with comparable departments of the Governing Organization.3. Program organization a. The NEP has a current organizational chart.b. The NEP has specific current job descriptions for all positions.4. Nurse Administrator a. The Nurse Administrator has a current unencumbered registered nurse license to practice in Maine and holds a full-time appointment in the Governing Organization.b. The Nurse Administrator for pre-licensure nursing programs holds a graduate degree with a concentration in nursing. c. The Nurse Administrator is experientially qualified, meets Governing Organization requirements, and is oriented and mentored to the role.d. The Nurse Administrator is accountable for program administration, planning, program development, implementation, and evaluation.e. The Nurse Administrator's primary responsibility and authority is to administer the NEP. The Nurse Administrator should not be assigned curriculum instructional duties that diminish nursing program administration. 1) The Board assumes that Nurse Administrators are not employed to be teaching faculty, but rather are employed to manage the administrative responsibilities of the NEP. 2) Release time from teaching responsibilities for the Nurse Administrator shall be in accordance with national accreditation recommendations and in recognition that the Nurse Administrator's role is unique. 3) Changes in the Nurse Administrator's workload beyond managing the NEP's administrative responsibilities must be reported to the Board by the Governing Organization. Factors to be considered, but not limited to, include: b) Number of satellite campusesc) Oversight of other programsd) Administrative supporte) Increased teaching load f The Nurse Administrator oversees the recruitment, development, and evaluations and/or performance reviews of all nursing program faculty members.g. The Nurse Administrator participates in statewide and/or national activities that promote the education of nurses.h. The Nurse Administrator is authorized by the Board to sign the licensure application to assure the applicant meets the requirements for completion of the NEP. Exceptions must be authorized by the Board.i. The Nurse Administrator develops and maintains ongoing relationships within the community, including the NEP's responsiveness to community/employer needs.j. The Nurse Administrator participates in activities that facilitate the Nurse Administrator's professional expertise in the areas of administration, teaching, and maintenance of nursing competence.k. The Nurse Administrator determines the need for additional nursing faculty release time for administrative duties.l. The Nurse Administrator serves as a liaison with the Board.m. The NEP has adequate fiscal, physical, technical, and learning resources to provide stability, development, and effective operation of the NEP.n. The Nurse Administrator administers the budget and resources according to governing institutional policies.o. The Nurse Administrator makes budget recommendations with input from the faculty and staff. B. Faculty 1. Faculty (full-time and part-time salaried employees): Individuals meet the requirements of the Board's Rules and Regulations, are designated by the Governing Organization as having ongoing responsibility for curriculum development and planning, teaching, guiding, monitoring, and evaluating student learning in the classroom, clinical, and/or lab setting.2. Other faculty include:a. Part-time or adjunct (non-salaried contractual faculty): Individuals meet the requirements of the Board's Rules and Regulations and have ongoing responsibility for evaluating student learning in the classroom, clinical and/or lab setting. Non-salaried contractual faculty collaborate with salaried faculty to maintain program policies and course requirements. They assume joint responsibility with salaried faculty in guiding student learning. The ratio of faculty to student will not exceed 1:8 when involved with direct patient care.b. Preceptor: Licensed nurses may share joint teaching responsibility with a faculty member and have a minimum of one (1) year of clinical experience relevant to the area(s) of responsibility. It is expected that the licensed nurses will be at or above the degree level of the NEP. 3. Faculty credentials: a. All nursing faculty have a current unencumbered registered nurse license to practice in Maine.b. 100% of salaried nursing faculty hold a graduate degree in nursing and 100% of non-salaried contractual faculty hold a minimum of a Bachelor of Science degree in nursing, with a graduate degree in nursing preferred. c. Nursing faculty demonstrate educational and clinical competencies for assigned instructional activities. Nursing faculty are oriented and mentored in their areas of responsibility. d. Nursing faculty maintain expertise in their areas of teaching responsibilities, demonstrating evidence-based teaching and clinical practices.e. Exceptions: The Board may approve faculty who do not meet the graduate degree in nursing requirement in Section 3(b) only under the following circumstances: 1) The Governing Organization demonstrates to the satisfaction of the Board that it used substantial effort to recruit a candidate with a graduate degree in nursing;2) The candidate is currently enrolled in a graduate program with a major in nursing and can clearly demonstrate, to the satisfaction of the Board, that there is a specific plan of completion within six years. Continuing approval of a candidate under this subsection is subject to the Governing Organization or the candidate annually demonstrating substantial compliance with the plan of completion; or 3) Emergency Exception: The Board may grant an emergency exception when the nursing program demonstrates that it cannot comply with Section 3(b) due to emergency circumstances (immediate and unanticipated due to reasonably unforeseeable circumstance). Approval will be on a short-term basis only, such as day-to-day or week-to-week (non-salaried employment only).f. Non-nursing faculty members teaching nursing courses have the educational qualifications and experience required by the Governing Organization and are qualified to teach the assigned nursing courses.g. Preceptors are oriented, mentored, and monitored. They have clearly documented roles and responsibilities.4. Nursing Faculty Responsibilities:a. All nursing faculty are hired to teach assigned didactic and/or lab and/or clinical courses.b. Salaried nursing faculty members are responsible for developing, implementing, and evaluating the curriculum. c. Salaried nursing faculty participate in program decisions, policy development and implementation, and other activities pertinent to program management, including policies related to nursing program admission, progression, retention, and graduation, working within college policies.d. Salaried nursing faculty are active members of assigned standing program committees.e. Salaried nursing faculty engage in program evaluation and accreditation.f. Salaried nursing faculty are assigned advisees per college requirements.g. All nursing faculty are members of the greater college community in terms of policies and governance.5. The number of nursing faculty is sufficient to meet the educational outcomes of the program, the learning needs of the students, and the safety of the recipients of health care services. a. The number of salaried nursing faculty is sufficient to ensure that student learning outcomes and program outcomes are achieved.b. The overall faculty/student ratio shall be no greater than 1:8 in clinical areas involving direct patient care.c. The preceptor to student ratio shall be no greater than 1:1 in clinical areas involving direct patient care.d. Preceptors shall work in collaboration with program faculty, who retain final responsibility for student evaluation. 1. Admission, Progression, and Graduation a. Policies pertaining to admission, progression, and graduation are congruent with those of the Governing Organization, publicly accessible, non-discriminatory, and consistently applied; differences are justified by the student learning outcomes and program outcomes.b. Admission criteria reflect consideration of potential to complete the NEP and meet state regulations to apply for licensure.c. Qualified applicants are admitted without discrimination as to age, race, color, religion, gender/gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, marital status, citizenship status, disability, genetic information, or veteran status.d. The NEP assures that students, at stated intervals, are evaluated and informed of their progress towards completion of the program.e. Student rights, responsibilities, and opportunities are available in written form. Students have input into NEP processes and decision-making.f. Requirements for graduation are clearly stated and include satisfactory scholastic achievement, competence for beginning practice, professional conduct, and accountable behavior.g. The NEP grants its credential only after the educational requirements are met in full. The credential bears the date of actual completion of the educational requirements.2. Transfer, readmission and advanced standing a. Policies related to transfer, readmission, and advanced standing are consistent with the general policies of the NEP and those of the Governing Organization.b. Such policies require that students transferring to another NEP must adhere to the Governing Organization's requirements for transfer credits. 3. Dismissals/Withdrawals Policies or procedures pertaining to dismissal and withdrawal are clearly stated and adequately safeguard the rights of students and the NEP.D. Curriculum 1. Nursing Education Program Mission, Program Outcomes and Student Learning Outcomes The NEP's mission statement, program outcomes, and student learning outcomes (SLOs) are:
a. Developed and periodically reviewed/revised by the faculty.b. Clearly written and accessible to current and prospective students, faculty, and other constituents.c. Consistent with the mission and goals of the Governing Organization.d. Consistent with current nursing standards. 2. Nursing Education Program Curriculum Development and implementation of the curriculum is the responsibility of the faculty and include all course content, instructional activities, and learning experiences that are planned and guided by the faculty. The curriculum is based on current theories of learning, reflects the mission and outcomes of the NEP, and is consistent with the laws governing the practice of nursing. The curriculum is periodically reviewed and revised to address current developments in health care and its delivery, and the implications of these developments for the practice of nursing. Graduates will be prepared to meet the professional and legal expectations of contemporary nursing practice.
a. Organization of the Curriculum 1) The selection and organization of the learning experiences in the curriculum provide continuity, sequence, and integration of these experiences, and meet the SLOs.2) The ratio between nursing and non-nursing credits is based on well-developed rationales.3) Theory is concurrent or in advance of clinical learning experiences.4) Current course syllabi are available to students and faculty.5) A prelicensure NEP may use simulation as a substitute for traditional clinical experiences, not to exceed fifty percent (50%) of its clinical hours. An NEP that uses simulation shall adhere to the standards set by the National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN) Simulation Guidelines for Prelicensure Nursing Education Programs as published in the Journal of Nursing Regulation, Vol. 6, Issue 3, pp. 39-42, October 2015, which is hereby incorporated by reference. . Copies of these guidelines are available through the Maine State Board of Nursing, 158 SHS, Augusta, Maine 04333-0138.b. Curricula preparing students for licensure as registered nurses or licensed practical nurses meet the Governing Organization's requirements for graduation and the criteria established by the NEP's national accreditation body. These include, but are not restricted to the following content areas: 1) Anatomy, physiology, chemistry, microbiology, and pathophysiology.2) Sociology, psychology, communications, growth and development, interpersonal relations, group dynamics, cultural diversity, and humanities. 3) Legal, ethical, and professional considerations that influence nursing.4) Pharmacotherapeutics, medication administration, nutrition, and diet therapy.c. Theoretical and clinical instruction in nursing, which encompass the attainment and maintenance of patient safety, physical and mental health, and the prevention of illness for individuals and groups throughout the lifespan, is based on: 1) The nursing process of assessment, analyzing data, planning, implementing, and evaluating functions, as applicable to LPN and RN scope and standards of practice.2) Applying best evidence to guide nursing practice and therapeutic interventions.E. Resources, Facilities and Services 1. Hospitals, nursing homes, extended care facilities, community health agencies and other community settings are potential clinical fields in education for the practice of nursing. Clinical facilities/sites need to:
a. Provide adequate learning experiences to meet course objectives.b. Be adequately staffed with qualified health professionals to ensure safe care and competent supervision of students.c. Conform to current standards of nursing practice and be reflective of best practices and national safety standards. d. Provide students and faculty with an orientation to the facility. The NEP must have current and appropriate written agreements with all clinical facilities/sites. Written agreements must include a clause regarding the termination of the agreement, and be mutually reviewed as delineated in the agreement.
1. Financial support must be adequate to provide stability, development, and the effective operation of the nursing program(s). The Nurse Administrator is responsible for administration of the budget according to the Governing Organization's policies. The Nurse Administrator makes budget recommendations with input from the faculty and staff. 2. Each NEP and satellite campus must have a clinical skills laboratory equipped with necessary educational resources. Classrooms and laboratories must be: a. Available at the scheduled times.b. Adequate in size for the number of students.c. Climate controlled, ventilated, and well-lighted.d. Equipped with appropriate seating, furnishings, and equipment conducive to learning.3. Adequate storage space needs to be available. Facilities must be in compliance with applicable local, state, and federal rules and regulations related to safety and the Americans with Disabilities Act.4. The Nurse Administrator must have a private office. Faculty members need adequate office space to complete the duties of their positions and provide for uninterrupted work and privacy for conferences with students. There must also be adequate office space for clerical staff. Records, files, equipment, and supplies must be secured.5. Nursing students are required to have access to college student services including, but not limited to, health services, counseling services, assistance in obtaining financial aid, technology assistance, and any other services as indicated by the objectives of the program.6. Each nursing program and each satellite campus must have a library/learning resource center with: a. Current holdings/access to resources that meet student educational needs, faculty instructional needs, and scholarly activities.b. A procedure for acquisitions of printed and multi-media materials.c. A procedure for identifying and eliminating outdated holdings. The library is under the direction of a qualified Librarian who is academically and experientially qualified. Library resources need to be accessible and conveniently available.
F. Records and Reports The NEP must maintain a system of administrative records that include, but are not limited to, current course syllabi and evaluation instruments, faculty personnel records, NEP faculty and committee minutes/reports, student records, pertinent correspondence, pertinent reports, and official publications of the NEP.
All student educational records, including students who are dismissed from the NEP, are confidential and in compliance with policies of the Governing Organization and state and federal guidelines.
Records reflect that program complaints and grievances receive due process and include evidence of resolution.
Faculty records need to be current and confidential. Essential data must include:
1. Application for present position 2. Educational and professional history, including official transcripts3. Letter of appointment or copy of contract that includes a statement relating to areas of responsibility. Other records that need to be current and maintained in accordance with the Governing Organization's accreditation body policies include:
1. A master plan of the curriculum 2. Accreditation and approval reports 3. Reports to the Governing Organization, if such are prepared 4. Minutes of NEP faculty and committee meetings Confidential records must be safely stored to protect them against loss, destruction, or unauthorized use.
Reports must be submitted to the Board, as requested.
G. Program Evaluation Faculty develop and implement the systematic plan of evaluation (SPE) that is written, ongoing, and focused on assessing SLOs, program outcomes, and program effectiveness. The SPE should include:
1. Measurable expected levels of achievement (ELOAs) for SLOs and program outcomes as appropriate.2. The quantitative and qualitative data to be collected, as well as the timeframe for data collection.3. Licensure pass rates, program completion rates, and other outcomes determined by each NEP.4. Input from the community of interest (e.g. faculty, students, alumni, employers).5. Aggregate data analysis and how this analysis informs continuous program improvement.6. How results of program evaluation are shared with the community of interest.7. How often the SPE is reviewed and revised, if needed.