Sec. 10.27.03.18. New Programs and Continuing Approval Requirements

A. New Program Requirements.

(1) An institution wishing to establish a nursing program shall submit to the Board:

(a) A letter of intent;

(b) Proof that the institution is accredited by the appropriate national or regional accrediting agency;

(c) A copy of the prospectus and program proposal submitted to MHEC;

(d) An addendum that describes in detail the:

(i) Type and length of nursing program;

(ii) Curriculum plan;

(iii) Program objectives, outcomes, or competencies; and

(iv) Description of available clinical resources;

(e) Evidence that the proposed nursing program is based upon sound educational principles; and

(f) Materials validating that the educational institution is prepared to meet the requirements specified in this chapter.

(2) A nursing program providing on-site didactic or clinical instruction in Maryland shall comply with this chapter and receive Board approval of the on-site program before the commencement of instruction.

(3) Both MHEC and the Board shall collaborate on program review.

(4) Following review of the materials submitted, the Board shall notify the institution as to whether further clarifications or revisions are necessary.

B. New Program Review.

(1) The proposed nursing education program shall be reviewed at a regularly scheduled Board meeting.

(2) The Board may:

(a) Deny further consideration of the proposal;

(b) Defer action on the proposal; or

(c) Authorize a site visit by the Board’s professional staff and, following a report of the site visit by the Board’s professional staff, grant initial approval, defer action, or deny the request.

(3) If deferred or denied, the institution shall be notified in writing of the reasons for the action.

C. Initial Approval. Initial approval:

(1) Is required before the admission of students;

(2) Requires concurrence of the Maryland Higher Education Commission; and

(3) Extends until the school or program has graduated its first class.

D. Approval.

(1) Following graduation of the first class, the Board shall evaluate the program for approval, considering the:

(a) Report of a survey of the program by the Board’s professional staff, scheduled before graduation of the first class;

(b) Results of the performance of the graduates on the National Council Licensure Examination; and

(c) Program’s demonstrated continued ability to provide an educational program that meets the standards set by the Board.

(2) Upon review of the survey report, the results of graduate performance on the National Council Licensure Examination, and an assessment of the program’s continued ability to meet the standards set forth in this chapter, the Board may:

(a) Grant approval;

(b) Place the program on conditional approval; or

(c) Withdraw initial approval in accordance with Regulation .17 of this chapter.

(3) Approval, if granted, shall be valid for not more than:

(a) 10 years for a program accredited by a BRNAA; and

(b) 5 years for a program without BRNAA accreditation.

E. Reapproval Requirements.

(1) The Board shall evaluate a program for reapproval:

(a) Every 5 years if the program is without BRNAA accreditation; and

(b) Not more than 10 years after approval is granted if the program has BRNAA accreditation.

(2) Evaluation of continuing compliance shall include the submission of a self-study report by the program and a survey visit by the Board’s professional staff. The self-study report shall be submitted to the Board no less than one month prior to the survey visit.

(3) If the program is accredited by a BRNAA, the reapproval survey visit may be made in coordination with a BRNAA visit.

(4) Unscheduled survey or site visits may be conducted at the discretion of the Board.

(5) A program that is accredited by a BRNAA and is subsequently placed on warning or whose accreditation by the BRNAA is withdrawn shall be scheduled immediately for a survey visit.

(6) During each survey or site visit, the nurse administrator of the program shall make the following information available:

(a) Data about the program, including the following:

(i) The number of students;

(ii) The legal body responsible for policy and support of the program;

(iii) The organizational chart; and

(iv) An audited fiscal report covering the previous 2 years, including a statement of income and expenditures;

(b) The nurse administrator’s job description;

(c) For each faculty member and clinical preceptor, the following:

(i) Job descriptions;

(ii) Selection policies;

(iii) Orientation plan;

(iv) Faculty organization by-laws;

(v) Number of full-time and part-time faculty and non-nursing faculty with academic credentials and assignments; and

(vi) Faculty-student clinical ratio;

(d) Degree plan;

(e) A copy of the current curriculum and course catalog with the date of last revision;

(f) The testing process with test analysis and the written test procedure;

(g) A description of education facilities, including classrooms, offices, libraries, and computers;

(h) A list of clinical facilities and cooperating clinical agencies;

(i) The number of students by classes; and

(j) The policies for students as listed in Regulation .14D of this chapter.

(7) During each survey or site visit, the nurse administrator shall make available the following:

(a) The program’s administrators, faculty, support services personnel, and students;

(b) Staff members of selected cooperating clinical agencies;

(c) Faculty minutes for at least the previous 3 years;

(d) Faculty and student handbooks;

(e) Student records;

(f) Policies and procedures;

(g) Curriculum materials;

(h) Cooperating clinical agency contractual agreements;

(i) Program evaluation plan and evidence of program effectiveness; and

(j) The program’s current catalog.

(8) Upon review of the survey report and the results of graduate performance on the National Council Licensure Exam, and an assessment of the program’s continued ability to meet the standards set forth in this chapter, the Board may:

(a) Grant reapproval;

(b) Place the program on conditional approval; or

(c) Withdraw approval in accordance with Regulation .17 of this chapter.

(9) Reapproval, if granted, shall be valid for not more than:

(a) 10 years for a program accredited by a BRNAA; and

(b) 5 years for a program without BRNAA accreditation.