64B9-2.001: Definitions
64B9-2.002: Certification for Approval
64B9-2.008: Clinical Training
64B9-2.011: Approval of Nursing Education Programs
64B9-2.013: Program Changes Requiring Board Approval
64B9-2.015: Standards of Nursing Education
PURPOSE AND EFFECT: For 64B9-2.001, the purpose is to add to the definition of approved nursing education program a requirement for the Boards separate approval of each campus and geological location and to add a definition for a Distance Learning Program. For 64B9-2.002, the purpose is to require course outlines for all courses, and to permit nursing programs to submit letters of intent from clinical facilities in lieu of previously executed contracts; to permit new, small programs to combine statistics from two graduating classes to determine if the program meets the required passing rates on the national licensing exam; to extend the program approval period from three to five years or to be concurrent with national or regional accreditation, and to clarify documentation required with applications for approval. For 64B9-2.008, the purpose is to permit more efficient requirements for clinical facility approval and to correct erroneous language. For 64B9-2.011, the purpose is to extend program approval requirements to out-of-state programs with clinical instruction in Florida and to distance learning programs; for 64B9-2.013, the purpose is to set forth the changes related to multiple locations that require Board approval and for 64B9-2.015, the purpose is to clarify that the programs requirements apply to all programs, regardless of the educational delivery method.
SUMMARY: In 64B9-2.001, a requirement for the Boards separate approval of each campus and geological location is added to the definition of approved nursing education program and a definition for a Distance Learning Program is added. In 64B9-2.002, course outlines for all courses is made a requirement and the submission of letters of intent from clinical facilities in lieu of previously executed contracts is made permissible for nursing programs; the combining of statistics from two graduating classes to determine if the program meets the required passing rates on the national licensing exam is made permissible for new, small programs; the program approval period is extended from three to five years or to be concurrent with national or regional accreditation, and documentation required with applications for approval is clarified. In 64B9-2.008, more efficient requirements for clinical facility approval is permitted and erroneous language is corrected. In 64B9-2.011, program approval requirements to out-of-state programs with clinical instruction in Florida and to distance learning programs is extended. In 64B9-2.013, the changes related to multiple locations that require Board approval are set forth and in 64B9-2.015, it is clarified that the programs requirements apply to all programs, regardless of the educational delivery method.
SUMMARY OF ESTIMATED REGULATORY COSTS: No Statement of Estimated Regulatory Cost was prepared.
Any person who wishes to provide information regarding a statement of estimated regulatory costs, or provide a proposal for a lower cost regulatory alternative must do so in writing within 21 days of this notice.
SPECIFIC AUTHORITY: 464.006, 464.019(2) FS.
LAW IMPLEMENTED: 464.019 FS.
IF REQUESTED WITHIN 21 DAYS OF THE DATE OF THIS NOTICE, A HEARING WILL BE SCHEDULED AND ANNOUNCED IN FAW.
THE PERSON TO BE CONTACTED REGARDING THE PROPOSED RULE IS: Joe Baker, Jr., Acting Executive Director, Board of Nursing, 4052 Bald Cypress Way, Bin C07, Tallahassee, Florida 32399-3259.
THE FULL TEXT OF THE PROPOSED RULE IS:
64B9-2.001 Definitions.
(1) Approved nursing education program: a nursing education program leading to initial licensure which has been approved by the Board after having met the standards of nursing education. Each campus and geographical location of the nursing education program is approved separately.
(2) to (23) No change
(24) Distance Learning Program: a nursing education program leading to initial licensure which uses Internet, Web assisted, home study, correspondence, video conferencing, and other non-classroom methods for courses, instruction, and educational program delivery.
Specific Authority 464.006, 464.019(2) FS.
Law Implemented 464.019 FS.
HistoryNew 7-15-80, Amended 11-22-84, Formerly 21O-7.20, Amended 2-5-87, 6-8-88, Formerly 21O-7.020, Amended 9-7-93, Formerly 61F7-2.001, 59S-2.001, Amended 12-11-97, 1-28-02, .
64B9-2.002 Certification for Approval.
(1) Provisional approval Provisional approval will be granted to an institution to initiate a nursing program when it has presented documentation satisfactory to the Board that it meets the following requirements:
(a) No change
1. to 2. No change
3. Course outlines for all first level courses shall be completed.
4. Contractual agreements, or a letter of intent to establish a contract once program approval has been received, with facilities and agencies to be used for clinical instruction for first level courses shall be in force.
5. No change
(b) No change
1. No change
2. Course outlines for total curriculum shall be completed.3. Contractual agreements with facilities and agencies to be used for clinical instruction in the total curriculum shall be in force.
3 4. Evidence of compliance with all rules in this rule chapter with the exception Rule 64B9-2.009, F.A.C., shall be demonstrated.
(c) Programs which have been granted provisional approval may be granted full approval when they have demonstrated they are in compliance with these rules and the licensure examination results of the first graduating class have met or exceeded the national average the standard as set forth in Rule 64B9-2.009, F.A.C. If the first graduating class has fewer than 21 students who have taken the licensure examination, the results of the next graduating class will be included in the determination of the programs passing rate on the licensure examination.
(2) Approval An institution seeking renewed approval of a nursing program shall present documentation of compliance with these rules at least every five three years, except programs with national accreditation from an accrediting body recognized by the U. S. Department of Education may have program approval concurrent with the period of national accreditation good cause the Board may extend the period to five years. The administrator shall notify the Board within 30 days of any change, loss or lapse in accreditation status and shall submit to the Board within 30 days any report from a national accrediting agency citing deficiencies or recommendations. Such documentation shall also be presented upon request.
(3) No change
(4) The Board may decline to approve any program on provisional status, or decline to renew or rescind approval of any program on probationary status which fails to meet required standards or which fails to make satisfactory progress for corrections of deficiencies within the time period outlined by the Board.
(5) No change
(6) Programs reapplying for approval shall submit a proposal and required fee pursuant to 64B9-7.001(14) and shall meet required standards in 64B9-2.011 and 64B9-2.015, as outlined in paragraph 64B9-2.002(1)(a), F.A.C., prior to renewal of the program approval by the Board. As a condition of renewal, a program may be placed on probation if it does not meet the required standards.
Specific Authority 464.006, 464.019(2) FS.
Law Implemented 464.019 FS.
HistoryNew 7-15-80, Amended 11-22-84, Formerly 21O-7.21, Amended 2-5-87, 6-8-88, 3-24-91, Formerly 21O-7.021, 61F7-2.002, 59S-2.002, Amended 12-11-97, 1-26-98, 7-7-02, .
64B9-2.008 Clinical Training.
to (9) No change
(10) Prior approval of the nursing program director board is required for any agency/facility utilized for student clinical learning experiences. A Nursing
programs shall submit the request for approval along with Board approved forms which have been completed by the agency/facility and a completed report of the site survey conducted by the nursing program shall be maintained for board review if requested.
(11) to (13) No Change
(14) Level Two Preceptorships may be included in a professional nursing curriculum when approved by the Board or when they meet all the criteria of subsection 64B9-2.008(13), F.A.C., except:
(a) The student shall have received clinical and theoretical instruction in all areas of nursing specified in subsection 64B9-2.006(2), F.A.C., for the professional nursing program and in subsection 64B9-2.006(3), F.A.C., for the practical professional nursing program.
(b) to (g) No change
(15) No change
Specific Authority 464.006, 464.019 FS.
Law Implemented 464.019 FS.
HistoryNew 7-15-80, Amended 11-22-84, Formerly 21O-7.27, Amended
6-8-88, 2-15-90, 3-12-91, 3-24-91, Formerly 21O-7.027, Amended 9-7-93, 5-1-94, Formerly 61F7-2.008, Amended 11-16-95, Formerly 59S-2.008, Amended 12-11-97, .
64B9-2.011 Approval of Nursing Education Programs.
(1) Statement of Intent for Approval: Before a nursing education program is permitted to admit students, the program shall submit evidence of the ability to meet the standards for nursing education. A parent institution desiring to initiate a nursing education program shall, at least one year in advance of the expected opening date, submit to the Department:
(a) A Statement of Intent to establish a nursing education program accompanied by a nonrefundable program fee per 64B9-7.001(14) review fee of $1,000.00;
(b) No change
1. to 12. No change
(c) No change
(2) to (4) No change
(5) An out-of-state nursing program that plans to provide both didactic and clinical instruction for initial nursing licensure in
(6) A nursing program that delivers didactic instruction by distance learning methods shall ensure that the methods of instruction are compatible with the program curriculum plan and enable a student to meet the goals, competencies, and objectives of the educational program and standards of the Board.
(a). A distance learning nursing program shall establish a means for assessing individual student outcomes, and program outcomes as required in 64B9-2.015.
(b). For out-of-state nursing programs, the program shall be accredited by a national nursing accrediting body recognized by the U. S. Department of Education, and approved within the jurisdiction of and regulated by an equivalent nursing regulatory authority in the state from which the program originates, unless also providing clinical experience in Florida which then requires the program to apply for approval in Florida.
(c). Faculty shall be licensed in the state of origination of a distance learning nursing program or in
(d). A distance learning nursing program shall provide students with supervised/precepted clinical and laboratory experiences so that program objectives are met and didactic learning is validated by supervised, land-based clinical and laboratory experiences.
(e). A distance-learning nursing program shall provide students with access to technology, resources, technical support, and the ability to interact with peers, preceptors, and faculty.
(7). A nursing program, located in another state or territory of the United States that wishes to provide clinical experiences leading to initial nursing licensure in Florida shall obtain Board approval before offering or conducting a clinical session. To obtain approval, the program shall submit a proposal package that contains:
(a). A self study describing the program's compliance with the standards in 64B9-2; and
(b). A statement regarding the anticipated effect on clinical placements for students currently enrolled in a Florida-approved nursing programs.
(8) A nursing program which has full approval per 64B9-2.011(4) and is also accredited by a national nursing accrediting body recognized by the U. S. Department of Education may establish a campus in another geographical location by prior notification to the board at least 3 months in advance, payment of the fee required in 64B9-7.001(14), and completion of a site visit by board staff which demonstrates compliance with the standards in 64B9-2.
Specific Authority 464.006, 464.019(2) FS.
Law Implemented 464.019 FS.
HistoryNew 5-2-02.
64B9-2.013 Program Changes Requiring Board Approval.
(1) A written request with rationale for permission of the Board must be obtained before implementation of any of these changes:
(a) A change in geographical location of the nursing education program or expansion of the program to a non-approved geographical location, changing the level of education preparation provided, transferring the nursing program from one institution to another, a significant change in the number of students per class by more than 20%, number of classes, or starting date of classes and requires demonstration by the nursing education program that the change does not adversely affect the clinical facilities/agencies/sites, the faculty, or other nursing education programs in the same region.
(b) to (d) No change
(2) No change
Specific Authority 464.006, 464.019(2) FS.
Law Implemented 464.019 FS.
HistoryNew 1-28-02.
64B9-2.015 Standards of Nursing Education.
to (5) No change
(6) Curriculum for a Professional Nursing Education Program: To ensure the preparation of nurses capable of competent practice, the curriculum for a professional nursing education program shall be implemented by the program director and faculty as written and shall include at least the following, regardless of educational delivery method:
(a) to (b) No change
(c) A curriculum content that:
1. Includes courses or content in three major areas;
a. No change
b. Social and behavioral sciences, which shall include concepts that assist a student in the development of a foundation for:
(i) to (ii) No change
(iii) Understanding of content for any required continuing education courses in 64B9-5 mandatory instruction on domestic violence and human immunodeficiency virus/acquired immune deficiency syndrome under Sections 456.031 and 456.033, F.S.
c. No change
(d) to (e) No change
(7) Curriculum for a Practical Nursing Education Program: To ensure the preparation of nurses capable of competent practice the curriculum for a practical nursing education program shall be implemented by the program director and faculty as written and shall include the following, regardless of educational delivery method:
(a) to (d) No change
(8) Clinical Experiences. All clinical experiences shall:
(a) to (h) No change
(i) Simulated clinical experiences using the Human Patient Simulator © or its substantial equivalent may be substituted for no more than 25% 10% of direct care experiences provided that:
1. to 3. No change
(j) Include a minimum of 675 hours supervised by appropriate faculty or preceptor for practical nursing programs and a minimum of 600 hours supervised by appropriate faculty or preceptor for professional nursing programs.
(k) Be provided within the state by board approved nursing programs only. Out-of-state programs that are fully approved by another state board of nursing may apply to the board per 64B9-2.011(7). The board may add requirements for maintaining such approval.
(9) to (12) No change
Specific Authority 464.006, 464.019(2) FS.
Law Implemented 464.019 FS.
