201 KAR 20:260. Organization and
administration standards for prelicensure programs of nursing.
RELATES
TO: KRS 314.041(1), 314.111(1), 314.131
STATUTORY
AUTHORITY: KRS 314.111(1), 314.131(1), (2)
NECESSITY,
FUNCTION, AND CONFORMITY: KRS 314.111(1) and 314.131(2) require the board to
approve schools of nursing and courses preparing persons for licensure and to
monitor standards for nurse competency under KRS Chapter 314. KRS 314.131(1)
authorizes the board to promulgate administrative regulations to implement KRS
Chapter 314. This administrative regulation establishes the organization and
administration standards for prelicensure registered nurse or practical nurse
programs.
Section
1. Definitions. (1) "NCLEX" means the National Council Licensure Examination.
(2)
"Program of nursing" means the educational unit that prepares a
person for licensure as a registered or licensed practical nurse and includes
secondary learning sites, if applicable.
Section
2. Organization or Administration Standards for Prelicensure Registered Nurse
and Practical Nurse Programs. To be eligible for approval by the board, a
program shall have:
(1)
A governing institution.
(a)
The governing institution that establishes and conducts the program of nursing
shall hold accreditation as a postsecondary institution, college, or university
by an accrediting body recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.
(b)
The governing institution shall assume full legal responsibility for the
overall conduct of the program of nursing. The program of nursing shall have
comparable status with the other programs in the governing institution and the
relationship shall be clearly delineated.
(c)
The governing institution shall:
1.
Designate a program administrator for the prelicensure program who is qualified
pursuant to 201 KAR 20:310;
2.
Assure that at least fifty (50) percent of the program administrator's time
shall be dedicated to complete the duties specified in this administrative
regulation at each program of nursing, up to 100 percent. A governing
institution that is unable to comply with this standard may request an
exemption from the board in writing.
a.
The request shall state the reasons for noncompliance and the efforts the
institution has taken and will take to comply with the standard.
b.
If the exemption is granted, it shall be for one (1) academic year. During this
time, the governing institution shall not open a new program of nursing and
shall not increase enrollment at an existing program of nursing;
3.
Establish administrative policies;
4.
Provide evidence that the fiscal, human, physical, clinical, and technical
learning resources shall be adequate to support program mission, processes,
security, and outcomes;
5.
Provide student support programs, services, and activities consistent with the
mission of the governing institution that promote student learning and enhance
the development of the student;
6.
Make financial resources available to the program of nursing consistent with
equivalent programs at the governing institution;
7.
Employ nurse faculty pursuant to 201 KAR 20:310 in sufficient number and
expertise to accomplish program outcomes and quality improvement;
8.
Provide written policies for faculty related to qualifications for the
position, rights and responsibilities of the position, criteria for evaluation
of performance, workload, promotion, retention, and tenure;
9.
Involve the nurse faculty in determining academic policies and practices for
the program of nursing; and
10.
Provide for the security, confidentiality, and integrity of faculty employment
records.
(d)
The governing institution shall provide an organizational chart that describes
the organization of the program of nursing and its relationship to the
governing institution;
(2)
Administrative policies.
(a)
There shall be written administrative policies for the program of nursing that
shall be:
1.
In accord with those of the governing institution; and
2.
Available to the board for review.
(b)
The board shall be notified in writing of a vacancy or pending vacancy in the
position of the program administrator within fifteen (15) days of the program
of nursing's awareness of the vacancy or pending vacancy. If the program
administrator vacates the position, the head of the governing institution shall
submit to the board in writing:
1.
The effective date of the vacancy;
2.
The name of the registered nurse who has been designated to assume the
administrative duties for the program and a copy of his or her curriculum
vitae;
3.a.
If there is to be a lapse between the date of the vacancy and the date the
newly-appointed program administrator assumes duties, the head of the governing
institution shall submit a plan of transition to ensure the continuity of the
program.
b.
Progress reports shall be submitted if requested by the board;
4.a.
The length of the appointment of an interim program administrator shall not
exceed six (6) months.
b.
Additional six (6) month periods may be granted upon request to the board based
on a documented inability to fill the position; and
5.a.
If the individual to be appointed as the interim program administrator is not
qualified pursuant to 201 KAR 20:310, the head of the governing institution
shall petition the board for a waiver prior to the appointment.
b.
A waiver shall be granted if the individual to be appointed meets at least the
minimum requirements established in 201 KAR 20:310 for nurse faculty.
(c)
A written plan for the orientation of the nurse faculty to the governing
institution and to the program shall be implemented.
(d)
There shall be a written contract between the governing institution and each
agency or institution that provides a learning experience for a student. A
contract shall not be required for an observational experience.
1.
The contract shall clearly identify the responsibilities and privileges of both
parties.
2.
The contract shall bear the signature of the administrative authorities of each
organization.
3.
The contract shall vest in the nurse faculty control of the student learning
experiences subject to policies of the contractual parties.
4.
The contract shall be current and may include an annual automatic renewal
clause.
5.
The contract shall contain a termination clause by either party;
(3)
A program or an interim program administrator who shall have authority and
responsibility in the following areas:
(a)
Development and maintenance of collaborative relationships with the
administration of the institution, other divisions or departments within the
institution, related facilities, and the community;
(b)
Participation in the preparation and management of the program of nursing
budget;
(c)
Screening and recommendation of candidates for nurse faculty appointment,
retention, and promotion;
(d)
Within thirty (30) days of appointment to the program of nursing, submit the
qualifications of all nurse faculty and clinical instructors;
(e)
To provide leadership within the nurse faculty for the development,
implementation, and evaluation of the program of nursing and program outcomes;
(f)
To facilitate the implementation of written program policies for the following:
1.
Student admission;
2.
Student readmission and advance standing;
3.
Student progression, which shall include:
a.
The level of achievement a student shall maintain in order to remain in the
program or to progress from one (1) level to another; and
b.
Requirements for satisfactory completion of each course in the nursing
curriculum.
4.
Requirements for completion of the program;
5.
Delineation of responsibility for student safety in health related incidents
both on and off campus;
6.
Availability of student guidance and counseling services;
7.
The process for the filing of grievances and appeals by students;
8.
Periodic evaluation by the nurse faculty of each nursing student’s progress in
each course and in the program;
9.
Student conduct that incorporates the standards of safe nursing care; and
10.
Publication and access to current academic calendars and class schedules;
(g)
To facilitate the continuing academic and professional development for the
nurse faculty;
(h)1.
To coordinate the development and negotiation of contracts with clinical
facilities, the number and variety of which shall be adequate to meet
curricular outcomes; and
2.
To coordinate the development of selection and evaluation criteria for clinical
facilities and ensure that the criteria shall be utilized by the program of
nursing;
(i)
The establishment of student-nurse faculty ratio in the clinical practice
experience.
1.
The maximum ratio of nurse faculty to students in the clinical area of
patients-clients shall be defensible in light of safety, learning objectives,
student level, and patient acuity.
2.
The student-nurse faculty ratio shall not exceed ten (10) to one (1) in the
clinical practice experience, including observational or preceptored
experiences. Observational experiences shall include an assignment where a
student observes nursing and where the student does not participate in direct
patient or client contact but has access to a clinical instructor as needed.
3.
This ratio shall not apply to on campus skill lab experiences;
(j)
The submission of the Certified List of Kentucky Program of Nursing Graduates,
as incorporated by reference in 201 KAR 20:070, upon student completion of all requirements
for a degree, diploma, or certificate;
(k)
The development and maintenance of an environment conducive to the teaching and
learning process;
(l)
To facilitate the development of long-range goals and objectives for the
nursing program;
(m)
To ensure that equipment, furnishings, and supplies shall be current and
replaced in a timely manner;
(n)
To ensure that the nurse faculty has sufficient time to accomplish those
activities related to the teaching-learning process and program outcomes;
(o)
To coordinate an orientation to the roles and responsibilities of full-time,
adjunct nurse faculty, and clinical instructors to the program of nursing and,
as appropriate, to clinical facilities so that the mission, goals, and expected
outcomes of the program shall be achieved;
(p)
To facilitate regular communication with the full and part time nurse faculty
and clinical instructors in the planning, implementation, and evaluation of the
program of nursing;
(q)
To ensure that recruitment materials provide accurate and complete information
to prospective students about the program including the:
1.
Nature of the program, including course sequence, prerequisites, corequisites,
and academic standards;
2.
Length of the program;
3.
Current cost of the program; and
4.
Transferability of credits to other public and private institutions in
Kentucky;
(r)
To conduct or participate in the written evaluation of each nurse faculty
member, clinical instructor, and support staff according to published criteria,
regardless of contractual or tenured status;
(s)
To ensure the adherence to the written criteria for the selection and
evaluation of clinical facilities utilized by the program of nursing;
(t)
To maintain current knowledge of requirements pertaining to the program of
nursing and licensure as established in 201 KAR Chapter 20;
(u)
To attend a Board of Nursing Program Administrators Orientation within one (1)
year of appointment;
(v)
To develop a structure to allow nurse faculty to assist in the governance of
the program; and
(w)
To ensure that the curriculum is implemented as submitted to the board;
(4)
A system of official records and reports essential to the operation of the
program of nursing maintained according to institutional policy. Provisions
shall be made for the security and protection of records against loss and
unauthorized distribution or use. The system shall include records of:
(a)
Currently enrolled students to include admission materials, courses taken,
grades received, scores for standardized tests, and clinical performance
records;
(b)
Minutes of faculty and committee meetings. These records shall be maintained a
minimum of five (5) years, irrespective of institutional policy;
(c)
Faculty records including:
1.
Validation of current licensure or privilege to practice as a Registered Nurse
in Kentucky;
2.
Evidence of fulfilling the faculty orientation requirements established in 201
KAR 20:310, Section 3(5); and
3.
Performance evaluation for faculty employed more than one (1) year;
(d)
Systematic plan of evaluation;
(e)
Graduates of the program of nursing; and
(f)
Administrative records and reports from accrediting agencies; and
(5)
Official publications including:
(a)
A description of the governing institution and program of nursing;
(b)
Policies on admission, progression, dismissal, graduation, and student
grievance procedures;
(c)
A description of student services;
(6)
Clerical assistance.
(a)
The number of clerical assistants shall be based upon the number of students
and faculty.
(b)
There shall be secretarial and clerical assistants sufficient to meet the needs
of the nursing program for the administrator, faculty, and students at the
designated primary location, as well as clerical support for secondary and
distance learning sites, if applicable.
(7)
Nurse faculty, full-time, and part-time, with the authority and responsibility
to:
(a)
Plan, implement, evaluate, and update the program;
(b)
Assist in the design, implementation, evaluation, and updating of the curriculum using a written plan;
(c)
Participate in the development, implementation, evaluation, and updating of
policies for student admission, progression, and graduation in keeping with the
policies of the governing institution;
(d)
Participate in academic advisement and guidance of students;
(e)
Provide theoretical instruction and clinical learning experiences;
(f)
Evaluate student achievement of curricular outcomes related to nursing
knowledge and practice;
(g)
Develop and implement student evaluation methods and tools to measure the
progression of the student’s cognitive, affective, and psychomotor achievement
in course and clinical outcomes based on published rubrics and sound rationale;
(h)
Participate in academic and professional level activities that maintain the
faculty member’s competency and professional expertise in the area of teaching
responsibility;
(i)
Establish clinical outcomes within the framework of the course;
(j)
Communicate clinical outcomes to the student, clinical instructor, preceptor,
and staff at the clinical site;
(k)
Assume responsibility for utilizing the criteria in the selection of clinical
sites and in the evaluation of clinical experiences on a regular basis; and
(l)
Evaluate the student’s experience, achievement, and progress in relation to
course or outcomes, with input from the clinical instructor and preceptor, if
applicable; and
(8)
Clinical instructors with governance to:
(a)
Design, at the direction of the nurse faculty member, the student’s clinical
experience to achieve the stated outcomes of the nursing course in which the
student is enrolled;
(b)
Clarify with the nurse faculty member:
1.
The role of the preceptor;
2.
The course responsibilities;
3.
The course or clinical outcomes;
4.
A course evaluation tool; and
5.
Situations in which collaboration and consultation shall be needed; and
(c)
Participate in the evaluation of the student’s performance by providing
information to the nurse faculty member and the student regarding the student’s
achievement of established outcomes.
Section
3. Notification of Increased Enrollment. (1) A program of nursing shall submit
a request for an increase in enrollment by twenty (20) percent or more of the
last cohort enrolled or ten (10) students, whichever is greater.
(a)
The request shall be sent in writing not later than six (6) months prior to the
increase.
(b)
The request shall demonstrate that the program has sufficient resources to
fulfill the standards established by this administrative regulation for the
anticipated increase in enrollment. These sufficient resources shall include
adequate:
1.
Number of qualified faculty;
2.
Classroom space;
3.
Clinical sites;
4.
Clerical support; and
5.
Financial support.
(2)
The board shall evaluate if the program has sufficient resources.
(3)
The board shall not grant approval for the increase in enrollment unless the
program has:
(a)
Full approval status; and
(b)
Program NCLEX pass rate for first time test takers for the preceding year of a
minimum of eighty-five (85) percent. (11 Ky.R. 1696; eff. 6-4-1985; Am. 19
Ky.R. 2673; 20 Ky.R. 306; eff. 8-6-1993; 25 Ky.R. 597; 1033; eff. 11-18-1998;
27 Ky.R. 831; 11-17-2000; 35 Ky.R. 2793; 36 Ky.R. 322; eff. 8-12-2009; 38 Ky.R.
1186; 1437; eff. 2-15-2012; 40 Ky.R. 1335; 1714; eff. 2-19-2014.)
