S.C. Code Regs. § 91-12 - Criteria for Approval of Basic Programs Preparing Licensed Practical Nurses

A. Organization

1. The nursing program is part of a college, university or public school system approved by the appropriate state authority.

(a) An organizational chart reflects the reporting mechanism of the administrator of the nursing program to the administrator of the parent institution.

(b) An organizational chart is available delineating lines of authority, responsibility, communication and relationships within the institution and to the community.

(c) Financial resources are sufficient to give assurance of stability of the program, educational resources and qualified administrative and instructional personnel.

(d) Criteria for budget allocation to the nursing programs are consistent with the criteria utilized for other programs.

(e) Written statements of philosophy or mission, purpose and objectives of the nursing program are consistent with those of the parent institution and are periodically reviewed.

(f) Personnel policies for the faculty are the same as those in effect for other members of the parent institution with regard to salary and benefits; selection, appointment, evaluation and promotion; recognition of professional competencies, and rights and responsibilities.

(g) Nursing program faculty serve on the parent institution's central councils and committees.

2. The nursing program is organized with clearly defined authority, responsibility and channels of communication.

(a) An organizational chart for the nursing program is available.

(b) Organizational policies, committee structure and corresponding minutes reflect how the business of the program is conducted.

3. The nursing program is administered by a qualified registered nurse licensed in the State or another Compact State.

(a) The nurse administrator meets parent institution requirements for administrative and faculty appointment.

(b) The nurse administrator has a minimum of a Master of Nursing degree. Administrators appointed prior to January 1, 2009 and serving continuously since that time are recognized as meeting educational requirements of the Board.

(c) The nurse administrator has appropriate preparation and experience for assuming administrative responsibilities to include a minimum of two years of clinical experience as a registered or advanced practice nurse.

(d) The nurse administrator is employed full time with adequate time designated for administrative responsibilities.

(e) A written job description reflects responsibility for the administration of the nursing program to include:

(1) Leadership within the faculty for the development and implementation of the curriculum;

(2) Creation and maintenance of an environment conducive to teaching and learning;

(3) Liaison with the central administration and other units of the parent institution;

(4) Participating in the preparation and administration of the budget;

(5) Facilitating faculty development and performance review;

(6) Recommendation of faculty for appointment, promotion and retention;

(7) Maintaining relationships with central administration, clinical agencies, and appropriate state, regional and national agencies.

B. Students

1. Student admission, readmission, progression and graduation are governed by the established policies and procedures of the parent institution and the nursing program.

(a) Policies and procedures for admission, readmission, progression and graduation criteria are written, implemented, periodically reviewed, and provided to students.

(b) The nursing program has written rationale for policies for admission, readmission, progression and graduation that differ from the parent institution.

C. Faculty

1. The number of qualified faculty is adequate to meet the goals and objectives of the nursing program.

(a) The maximum ratio of faculty to students in an acute inpatient setting where students are providing direct patient care is one faculty member to eight students (1:8). If the parent institution and the clinical affiliate determine that the safety of patients, nursing faculty and students can be insured, the maximum acceptable ratio in acute inpatient settings is no greater than one faculty to ten students (1:10).

(b) The maximum ratio of faculty to students in non-acute clinical settings where students are providing direct patient care is one faculty member to ten students (1:10).

(c) Faculty are available to students for guidance/ referral.

(d) The majority of the faculty fulfill the fulltime faculty role as defined by the parent institution and the nursing program.

(e) There are provisions for a substitute instructor(s).

2. The academic and experience qualifications of the faculty are appropriate to support the goals and objectives of the nursing education program and meet the criteria of the parent institution.

(a) Nurse faculty must meet all of the following requirements:

(1) hold an unencumbered active license as a registered nurse in South Carolina or another Compact state;

(2) have a minimum of a Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing. A Master of Nursing degree is preferred. (Faculty appointed prior to October 1977 and serving continuously since that time shall be recognized as meeting the requirements of the Board);

(3) have a minimum of two years of clinical experience as a registered or advanced practice nurse.

(b) The general education faculty meet or exceed the parent institution's requirements for appointment.

3. Faculty personnel policies for the nursing program are written, consistent with those of the parent institution and implemented.

(a) There are written job descriptions that define the responsibilities for instructional personnel.

(b) There are written policies related to salary, vacation, sick leave, leave of absence, continued competency, insurance and retirement.

(c) All faculty will be responsible to the nurse administrator of the nursing program.

(d) Faculty shall not have additional employment responsibilities during the hours in which they are charged with the education and supervision of students.

(e) Participation in regularly planned faculty meetings is documented in minutes.

(f) Participation in the activities of the parent institution in ways that benefit the institution, the nursing education program and the faculty is evidenced by committee membership and minutes.

(g) Policies allow for continued faculty development and pursuit of academic study.

4. Faculty participate in activities which promote continuing professional development.

5. The full time equivalent (FTE) of qualified clinical instructors teaching students will not exceed 30 percent of the full time equivalent faculty (FTE) filled positions for the nursing program.

(a) The clinical instructor must meet all the following:

(1) hold an unencumbered active license as a registered nurse in South Carolina or another Compact state; and

(2) hold a minimum of a Bachelor of Science degree in nursing; and

(3) have a minimum of two years of clinical experience related to the area of assigned clinical teaching responsibilities.

(b) The clinical instructor functions under the supervision of a nursing faculty member who has overall course responsibility.

(c) The clinical instructor's responsibilities and guidelines for supervision are in writing.

D. Support Services

1. Learning resource centers are equipped and managed to provide instructional and support services to students and faculty.

(a) Library holdings/learning resources are adequate in number, appropriate to the program and accessible to students and faculty.

(b) There is a regular schedule for evaluation and deletion of outdated books and audiovisual materials.

2. Student services provided (i.e. health services, counseling, financial aid) are available to nursing students based on established criteria of the parent institution.

3. The parent institution provides a system to maintain permanent and cumulative student records in a manner that is designed to prevent unauthorized access, use, loss, and/or destruction.

4. Policies governing release of information from records is documented.

5. Secretarial/support services are sufficient to meet the needs of the nursing program, administrator and faculty.

E. Facilities

1. The parent institution provides adequate facilities to conduct the nursing program.

(a) Offices for the nursing administration, faculty and staff are provided.

(b) Classrooms and conference rooms are sufficient to meet the needs of the program.

(c) Library/learning resource centers (audio/visual/computer technologies) are readily available to students and faculty.

(d) Storage space for equipment and instructional materials is provided.

(e) The skills laboratory is sufficient in size and equipment to meet the needs of students.

2. The nursing program has written agreements with all affiliating agencies used to achieve the program objectives.

(a) Agreements which delineate the responsibilities of the clinical agency and the nursing program are jointly developed and current.

(b) Agreements are developed with clinical facilities that provide diverse clinical experiences with sufficient number and variety of patients to meet educational objectives.

(c) Agreements reflect that faculty retain responsibility for student learning experiences.

(d) Clinical affiliating agencies are licensed by the appropriate state or federal authorities.

F. Curriculum

1. The nursing curriculum is logically organized and internally consistent.

(a) Curriculum requirements are published.

(b) The curriculum reflects the philosophy, conceptual framework, goals and objectives of the nursing program.

(c) The objectives of each course, module or segment reflect the philosophy and purpose of the program.

(d) There is rationale for the organization and sequencing of learning experiences for the progressive development of knowledge and skills.

(e) There is rationale for the allocation of credit for nursing, nursing related and general education courses in the curriculum.

(f) There are written behavioral objectives for each course.

(g) There is an evaluation system that reflects the students' ability in relationship to theoretical and clinical objectives.

(h) Appropriate clinical experiences are arranged for each student to develop the necessary skills and competencies to deliver safe, effective nursing care.

2. The curriculum is developed, implemented and evaluated by faculty with opportunity for input from students.

(a) The process for curriculum decision making is clearly defined for the parent institution and the nursing program.

(b) There is documentation of student input into faculty decisions in curriculum matters.

3. The curriculum reflects and is consistent with the knowledge, skills and abilities required for the practice of practical nursing.

(a) The curriculum includes selected learning experiences in the promotion, restoration and maintenance of health of clients across the life span.

(b) The curriculum includes learning experiences consistent with the practical nurses' role in assisting with assessment, planning, intervention and evaluation.

(c) The curriculum includes the scope of practice for the licensed practical nurse in South Carolina.

G. General Education

1. The nursing curriculum includes general education content.

(a) The general education content is relevant to the practice of practical nursing.

(b) The general education content requirements are published.

(c) There is written documentation of periodic review of general education content.

2. The general education component meets or exceeds the criteria for the institution.

H. Program Evaluation

1. A written plan for the periodic evaluation of all components of the nursing program is developed and implemented.

(a) Written evaluations for the nursing education administrator(s), faculty and students are on file.

(b) Written evaluations from program graduates and their employers are on file.

(c) Records, reports and/or meeting minutes reflect evaluation of the curriculum and instruction.

(d) There is evidence that faculty and students participate in the evaluation of all major program components to include: clinical and campus facilities; learning resources and services; and instructional materials and equipment.

2. Findings from the evaluation of all components of the nursing program serve as the basis for program changes.

3. The nursing program prepares graduates that demonstrate competent practice at entry into practical nursing. The program's pass rate for first time takers of the National Council Licensure Examination for Practical Nurses (NCLEX-PN) will be maintained annually at no greater than 5 percent below the national pass rate.

Notes

S.C. Code Regs. § 91-12

Added by State Register Volume 31, Issue No. 5, eff May 25, 2007.