OAR 851-021-0025: Reports and Approvals

(1) Programs must complete an annual report as directed by the Board representative. (2) Programs must notify the Board representative in writing within 30 days following a: (a) Change in the nurse administrator; (b) Change of administrative control within the educational institution, with the rationale for the change and anticipated impact on the nursing program; or, (c) Plans to move the entire program to a new location. This notification must include: (A) Address of the new location; (B) Rationale for moving the nursing program; (C) Anticipated date of completed move; and (D) Anticipated impact on curriculum delivery, other nursing programs, clinical partners, students and faculty. (d) Changes in availability of adequate clinical experiences for the program that result in alteration of student progression; (e) Change in accreditation status of the nursing program or the educational institution; or (f) Reductions in the financial support for the program that impact curriculum delivery, student progression or program operations. (3) When a nursing education program anticipates a substantive change to an educational track, such change must be submitted to the Board for approval at a minimum of 90 days prior to implementation. (a) A substantive change includes, but is not limited to, changes in: (A) Overall length of the program; (B) Alteration of 25% of nursing curriculum course credits; (C) Program outcomes; or (D) Opening or closing of an educational track at the same level of licensure. (b) The nursing education program must submit for approval either their accreditation substantive change report or a report including: (A) Rationale for proposed changes including the anticipated effect on faculty, students, clinical resources and facilities; (B) Presentation of the differences between the current curriculum and the proposed curriculum; (C) A timetable for implementation of change; and (D) Plan for evaluation of the change. (c) The nursing education program may not implement the change until approved by the Board. (4) Approved nursing programs that intend to offer a PN exit or option, that is not a standalone PN program, must submit to the Board for approval evidence of how the program meets the standards prescribed for PN programs outlined in OAR 851-021-0050(5). The nursing education program must receive approval at least six months prior to allowing the PN option. (5) When an approved nursing education program intends to add an extended campus site or addition of distance education technology the program must notify the Board and provide the following information: (a) Description of the proposed education facilities or distance education technology; (b) Plan for ensuring adequate qualified faculty; (c) Evidence of adequate clinical placements with supporting documentation; (d) Evidence of dedicated financial resources for planning, implementation, and continuation of the program; and (e) Tentative timeline for planning, initiating, and evaluating. (6) A nursing education program may apply to implement an innovative approach that significantly alters the approved curriculum, model for clinical experiences, or faculty-to-student ratio. A letter of intent must be submitted to the Board for approval six months prior to the planned implementation. The letter of intent must include the following information: (a) Description of the proposed project, including purpose and rationale; (b) Identification of the standards affected by the proposed innovative approach; (c) Description of mechanisms and procedures for student safety and learning effectiveness; (d) Plan for evaluation of the project and reporting findings back to the Board; and (e) Tentative time schedule for planning, initiating, and evaluating the program. (7) Nursing programs may request approval for appointment by exception of nurse administrators or faculty who do not meet the qualifications outlined in OAR 851-021-0045(2). Programs must submit in writing the rationale for the request. Exception requests must be approved before the individual assumes the program assignment. The Board representative may grant approvals in the following circumstances: (a) The education and experience qualifications are deemed equivalent to the requirements; (b) The individual is pursuing the needed qualifications. Reports on progress toward meeting the minimum qualifications must be provided as requested by the Board representative; or (c) The individual is appointed for one year. The appointment may be extended annually for a maximum of two times.