SECTION 485:10-5-5.2. Faculty for nursing education programs

(a)   There shall be sufficient number of qualified full-time faculty to meet the purpose and student learning outcomes of the nursing program.

(b)   Qualifications, rights, and responsibilities of faculty members shall be available in writing.

(c)   Faculty policies shall be available in writing, shall include those used in evaluating performance, specify the teaching load for the faculty and Nurse Administrator, and be in keeping with accepted educational standards.

(d)   Sufficient time shall be provided for faculty to accomplish those activities related to the teaching-learning process.

(e)   All nurse faculty shall:

(1)   hold a valid unencumbered license to practice as a Registered Nurse in the State of Oklahoma;

(2)   present evidence of a minimum of two (2) years full-time equivalent practice as a Registered Nurse in a clinical setting preceding the first date of first employment as a nursing faculty member, PROVIDED: any person employed in the faculty position on September 1, 2016, is deemed to meet this requirement; and

(3)   engage in teaching, scholarship, service and/or practice in keeping with the mission, goals, and expected faculty outcomes.

(f)   All programs leading to licensure as a Registered Nurse in this state shall establish comparable educational qualifications for the nursing faculty as required for other teaching faculty in the governing organization. The minimum requirements shall be as follows:

(1)   a master's or higher degree in nursing; or

(2)   a baccalaureate degree in nursing plus evidence of continued progress toward a master's or higher degree in nursing with completion of a minimum of six (6) semester hours per calendar year; and

(3)   at least one-half of the full-time faculty having a master's or higher degree in nursing; and

(4)   part-time clinical instructors, regardless of title used, having a minimum of a baccalaureate degree in nursing.

(g)   All programs leading to licensure as a Practical Nurse in this state shall establish requirements for nursing faculty as follows:

(1)   minimum of an associate degree or diploma in nursing in this state, and effective January 1, 2017, has evidence of continued progress toward a baccalaureate or higher degree in nursing with completion of a minimum of six (6) semester hours per calendar year, PROVIDED: any person employed in the position of faculty of a practical nursing education program on December 31, 2016, is deemed to meet this requirement; and

(2)   teacher certification, as established by the State Department of Education, when employed in schools conducted by public comprehensive high school systems.

(h)   There shall be a faculty organization with written policies and procedures to guide its activities and shall:

(1)   hold regular meetings for all members to participate in planning, developing, implementing, and evaluating the nursing program;

(2)   establish committees as necessary to carry out the functions of the program;

(3)   provide for student participation; and

(4)   maintain minutes of all meetings documenting actions and decisions of the faculty.

[Source: Amended and renumbered from 485:10-5-3 at 10 Ok Reg 1535, eff 4-26-93; Amended at 12 Ok Reg 1463, eff 5-25-95; Amended at 19 Ok Reg 1461, eff 7-1-02; Amended at 33 Ok Reg 1026, eff 8-25-16; Amended at 34 Ok Reg 171, eff 11-2-16 (emergency); Amended at 34 Ok Reg 768, eff 8-25-17; Amended at 36 Ok Reg 1000, eff 7-25-19; Amended at 37 Ok Reg 2028, eff 9-11-20]