Section 172-97-018 - INNOVATIVE APPROACHES TO PRE-LICENSURE PROGRAMS A nursing education program may apply to implement an innovative approach by complying with provisions of this section. Nursing education programs approved to implement innovative approaches will continue to provide quality nursing education that prepares graduates to practice safely, competently and ethically within the scope of practice as defined in the Nurse Practice Act.
018.01PURPOSE.A nursing program applying to implement an innovative approach must explain the purpose for creating innovation in curriculum or educational design, which must include:
(A) To foster innovative models of nursing education to address the changing needs in health care;(B) To assure that innovative approaches are conducted in a manner consistent with the Board's role in protection of the public; and(C) To assure that innovative approaches conform to the quality outcome standards and core education criteria established by the Board.018.02ELIGIBILITY. In order for a nursing program to be eligible to submit an innovative approach to nursing education, the nursing program must: (A) Hold full Board approval without conditions;(B) Have no substantiated complaints in the past 2 years; and(C) Have committed no rule violations in the past 2 years.018.03APPLICATION. The following information must be provided by the nursing program to the Board at least 90 days prior to a Board meeting:(A) Executive summary of the project;(B) Identifying information including name of nursing program, address, responsible party, and contact information;(C) A brief description of the current program, including accreditation and Board approval status;(D) Identification of the regulation or regulations affected by the proposed innovative approach;(E) Length of time for which the innovative approach is requested;(F) Description of the innovative approach, including objectives;(G) Brief explanation of why the program wants to implement an innovative approach at this time;(H) Explanation of how the proposed innovation differs from approaches in the current program;(I) Rationale with available evidence supporting the innovative approach;(J) Identification of resources that support the proposed innovative approach;(K) Expected impact innovative approach will have on the program, including administration, students, faculty, and other program resources;(L) Plan for implementation, including timeline;(M) Plan for evaluation of the proposed innovation, including measurable criteria and outcomes, method of evaluation, and frequency of evaluation; and(N) Additional application information as requested by the Board.018.04STANDARDS FOR APPROVAL. Approval is based on the following criteria: (A) Eligibility and application criteria in 172 NAC 97-018.02 and 172 NAC 97-018.03 met;(B) The innovative approach will not compromise the quality of education or safe practice of students;(C) Resources are sufficient to support the innovative approach;(D) Rationale with available evidence supports the implementation of the innovative approach;(E) Implementation plan is reasonable to achieve the desired outcomes of the innovative approach;(F) Timeline provides for sufficient period to implement and evaluate the innovative approach; and(G) Plan for periodic evaluation is comprehensive and supported by appropriate methodology.018.05BOARD REVIEW OF APPLICATION. Annually, the Board may establish the number of innovative approach applications it will accept, based on available Board resources. The Board will evaluate innovative approach applications to determine if eligibility criteria in 172 NAC 97-018.02 are met and if the standards from 172 NAC 97-018.04 are established. 018.05(A)APPROVAL. If the application meets the eligibility criteria and standards, the Board will:(i) Approve the application; or(ii) Approve the application with modifications as agreed between the Board and the nursing education program.018.05(B)DENIAL. If the application does not meet the eligibility criteria and standards, the Board will deny approval of the innovative approach or may request additional information.018.05(C)RESCIND APPROVAL. The Board may rescind the approval or require the program to make modifications in the innovative approach if: (i) The Board receives substantiated evidence indicating adverse impact; or(ii) The nursing education program fails to implement the innovative approach as presented and approved.018.06PERIODIC EVALUATION. Periodic evaluation of the innovative approach to nursing education requires the following:(A) The educational program must submit progress reports conforming to the evaluation plan annually or as requested by the Board;(B) The final evaluation report must conform to the evaluation plan, detailing and analyzing the outcomes data;(C) If any report indicates that students were adversely impacted by the innovation, the nursing program must provide documentation of corrective measures and their effectiveness; and(D) The educational program must maintain eligibility criteria in 172 NAC 97-018.02.018.07CONTINUATION. Requests for the innovative approach to continue and become an ongoing part of the education program must be submitted 30 days prior to a regularly scheduled Board meeting. Continuation of the innovative approach to nursing education may be granted by the Board if: (A) The final evaluation has been submitted;(B) The innovative approach has achieved the desired outcomes;(C) The innovative approach has not compromised public protection; and(D) The innovative approach is consistent with core nursing education criteria.172 Neb. Admin. Code, ch. 97, § 018
Amended effective 8/10/2021