OAR 851-021-0010: Establishment and Approval of New Nursing Education Programs

(1) Step 1 – Preliminary Development Application. (a) The proposed program must submit the following documentation to the Board at least one year prior to the planned start date: (A) Needs assessment highlighting the statewide need for the proposed nursing education program; (B) Type of program including identification of proposed instructional modality and degree or certificate awarded; (C) Planned student enrollment; (D) Evidence of institutional accreditation by an agency recognized by the United State Department of Education; (E) Evidence of dedicated financial resources for planning, implementation, and continuation of the program; (F) Description of anticipated educational resources, including facilities, and technological learning resources; (G) Description of anticipated clinical resources; (H) Number of anticipated faculty and program administrators; and (I) A proposed timeline for developing and initiating the program. (b) The Board, after review and consideration of the application, must either approve or deny permission to move forward with preliminary development. (2) Step 2 - Initial Approval for Admission of Students: (a) The proposed program must provide the Board with evidence that the following program components and processes have been completed at least six months prior to the planned start date: (A) Employment of a nursing administrator; (B) Employment of nurse educators, other educators and administrative support; (C) Current institutional catalog, including information provided to students regarding program accreditation and approvals; (D) The proposed curriculum plan; (E) Evidence of adequate clinical placements for the program with supporting documentation; (F) A systematic plan of evaluation of the curriculum and program; (G) Policies related to admission, progression, retention, and graduation; (H) Policies and strategies to address students’ needs including accommodations, learning disabilities, English as an international language, and remediation tactics for students performing below standard and for when clinical errors occur; (I) Practical nursing (PN) and associate degree nursing education programs must have a signed articulation agreement for program graduates into the next level of nursing education; (J) PN and registered nursing (RN) education programs must provide a timeline for attainment of national nursing program accreditation; and (K) Advanced Practice Registered Nursing (APRN) education programs must provide verification of candidacy for accreditation. (b) If the Board grants initial approval: (A) The program may begin recruitment and acceptance of students, and may admit one cohort of students per academic year until final approval is granted; (B) Interim progress reports may be requested by the Board or its representative at any time; and (C) If students are not admitted within twelve months of initial approval, the approval is expired. (c) If the Board denies the initial approval the program may submit a revised initial approval application. (3) Step 3 - Full Approval of Program: (a) Within six months following the graduation of the first cohort of students the program must: (A) Submit a written report addressing their compliance with OAR 851-021-0040 through 851-021-0070; and (B) Undergo a site survey conducted by a representative of the Board. (b) The full approval of a new program may be granted for four years, with subsequent approvals aligning with the frequency of national nursing accreditation surveys. (c) If full approval is denied, the program may request a hearing before the Board in accordance with the Administrative Procedures Act.