32-1644. Approval of nursing schools and nursing programs; application; maintenance of standards

A. The board shall approve all new prelicensure nursing, nurse practitioner and clinical nurse specialist programs pursuant to this section. A postsecondary educational institution or school in this state that is accredited by an accrediting agency recognized by the United States department of education desiring to conduct a registered nursing, practical nursing, nurse practitioner or clinical nurse specialist program shall apply to the board for approval and submit satisfactory proof that it is prepared to meet and maintain the minimum standards prescribed by this chapter and board rules.

B. The board or its authorized agent shall conduct a survey of the institution or program applying for approval and shall submit a written report of its findings to the board. If the board determines that the program meets the requirements prescribed in its rules, it shall approve the applicant as either a registered nursing program, practical nursing program, nurse practitioner program or clinical nurse specialist program in a specialty area.

C. A nursing program approved by the board may also be accredited by a national nursing accrediting agency recognized by the board. If a prelicensure nursing program is accredited by a national nursing accrediting agency recognized by the board, the board does not have authority over it unless any of the following occurs:

1. The board receives a complaint about the program relating to patient safety.

2. The program falls below the standards prescribed by the board in its rules.

3. The program loses its accreditation by a national nursing accrediting agency recognized by the board.

4. The program allows its accreditation by a national nursing accrediting agency recognized by the board to lapse.

D. From time to time the board, through its authorized employees or representatives, may resurvey all approved programs in the state and shall file written reports of these resurveys with the board. If the board determines that an approved nursing program is not maintaining the required standards, it shall immediately give written notice to the program specifying the defects. If the defects are not corrected within a reasonable time as determined by the board, the board may take either of the following actions:

1. Approve the program but restrict the program's ability to admit new students until the program complies with board standards.

2. Remove the program from the list of approved nursing programs until the program complies with board standards.

E. All approved nursing programs shall maintain accurate and current records showing in full the theoretical and practical courses given to each student.

F. The board does not have regulatory authority over the following approved nurse practitioner or clinical nurse specialist programs unless the conditions prescribed in subsection C are met:

1. A nurse practitioner or clinical nurse specialist program that is part of a graduate program in nursing accredited by an agency recognized by the board if the program was surveyed as part of the graduate program accreditation.

2. A nurse practitioner or clinical nurse specialist program that is accredited by an agency recognized by the board.