SECTION 485:10-3-2. Establishment of new nursing education programs

(a)   Step I. Initial application.

(1)   An institution wishing to establish a new nursing education program shall advise the Board of its intent in writing, and shall seek Board consultation in the initial planning.

(2)   The institution shall submit the Step I Initial Application to the Board office at least eight weeks prior to a regularly-scheduled Board meeting, which provides the following information for the Board's consideration:

(A)   mission and organization of the educational institution;

(B)   accreditation status of the educational institution;

(C)   type of nursing program to be established;

(D)   relationship of nursing program to the educational institution;

(E)   documentation of the rationale for the establishment of the nursing program in Oklahoma;

(F)   tentative time-table for program development and implementation;

(G)   source of potential qualified Nurse Administrator and faculty, with projected times of employment;

(H)   tentative budget plans including evidence of financial resources adequate for developing, implementing, and continuing the nursing program;

(I)   source of anticipated student population;

(J)   description of support staff for the proposed program;

(K)   description of physical facilities;

(L)   description of available clinical resources with letters from clinical resources supporting development of a new program in nursing.

(3)   The application shall be signed by the controlling institution's administrative official with evidence that the institution is authorized to offer educational programs in Oklahoma. Regional accreditation is recommended for institutions offering programs in nursing education.

(4)   The Board shall advise the institution in writing of its decision to:

(A)   approve proceeding with development of the program-Step II; or

(B)   defer approval pending a visit to the institution and/or receipt of further information; or

(C)   deny approval specifying reasons for denial.

(5)   The application shall be limited to fifteen (15), single-sided pages, with at least a one inch margin, no less than 1.5 line spacing and no less than an 11 point font size.

(b)   Step II. Application for Provisional Approval.

(1)   The institution shall employ a qualified Nurse Administrator ensuring adequate time is provided to develop Step II. A consultative visit will be conducted by Board staff at least one month prior to submission of the Step II application. The institution shall provide a DRAFT of the Step II application for the Board staff to review not less than 14 days before the consultative visit. A report of the findings from this visit will be submitted to the Board with the Step II application.

(2)   The Nurse Administrator shall prepare the following materials following the Guidelines for Provisional Approval for the Board's consideration:

(A)   philosophy, program and course objectives;

(B)   curriculum plan;

(C)   policy statements;

(D)   survey of clinical facilities, with evidence that a sufficient amount and variety of clinical experience is available to support an additional nursing education program in the service area;

(E)   faculty qualifications, criteria and job descriptions;

(F)   budget plan projected for a three (3) year period;

(G)   learning resources; and

(H)   institutional and program organizational plans.

(3)   At least four months prior to the anticipated admission of students and at least eight weeks prior to a regularly-scheduled Board meeting, the Nurse Administrator shall submit the "Application for Provisional Approval" for Board review.

(4)   Nursing education and institutional representatives may be present during the Board meeting. The Board shall advise the institution in writing of its decision to:

(A)   grant Provisional Approval, authorizing the institution to proceed with implementation of the nursing education program and admission of students; or

(B)   defer Provisional Approval and program implementation pending further development; or

(C)   deny Provisional Approval.

(5)   The program cannot admit students until Provisional Approval is granted.

(6)   Faculty qualification form for the Nurse Administrator must be submitted to the Board.

(7)   Qualified faculty must be employed at least thirty days prior to the admission of students.

(8)   Progress reports shall be made by the Nurse Administrator as requested by the Board while on Provisional Approval.

(9)   The application shall be limited to fifty (50), single-sided pages, with at least a one inch margin, no less than 1.5 line spacing and no less than an 11 point font size.

[Source: Amended at 8 Ok Reg 3579, eff 9-20-91 (emergency); Amended at 9 Ok Reg 2103, eff 6-11-92; Amended at 18 Ok Reg 2707, eff 7-1-01; Amended at 22 Ok Reg 1345, eff 7-1-05; Amended at 25 Ok Reg 1415, eff 7-1-08; Amended at 31 Ok Reg 2113, eff 9-12-14; Amended at 32 Ok Reg 1199, eff 8-27-15; Amended at 33 Ok Reg 1026, eff 8-25-16; Amended at 35 Ok Reg 1875, eff 9-14-18; Amended at 37 Ok Reg 2028, eff 9-11-20]