Section 12.44.040. Establishment of nursing education program.

	(a)  A university or college wishing to establish a nursing education program must  
		(1) inform the board in writing of the university or college's intent to establish a nursing education program in the state; and  
		(2) submit, not later than 120 days before the first day of the board meeting at which the application is considered, a completed application on a form prescribed by the board that shows that the applicant meets the applicable requirements of 12 AAC 44.030 - 12 AAC 44.135.  
	(b)  There shall be information on the availability of clinical facilities and job opportunities for graduates.  
	(c)  Not later than 90 days after receipt of the application, the board or the board's representative will advise the applicant in writing, before consideration by the board, whether additional information is needed to complete the application.  
	(d)  If the board determines that the application is complete and that the nursing education program meets the applicable requirements of 12 AAC 44.010 - 12 AAC 44.135, the board will grant provisional approval to the program.  
	(e)  Not later than 90 days after the board grants provisional approval, the nursing education program must apply for national accreditation from either the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission (NLNAC) or the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE).  
	(f)  After the survey under 12 AAC 44.030 has been completed, the board will notify the program if the board has determined that  
		(1) the program has deficiencies due to noncompliance with any provision of 12 AAC 44.010 - 12 AAC 44.135; and  
		(2) a follow-up survey, conducted as set out in 12 AAC 44.030, is necessary.  
	(g)  If the board determines that deficiencies exist under (f)(1) of this section, the board or the board's representative will send the nursing education program written notice of the deficiencies. The program shall correct those deficiencies and, not later than 90 days after the date the board sent written notice of the deficiencies, shall notify the board of the program's progress in correcting them. The program, after sending the first progress report, shall send additional reports every 90 days until each deficiency is corrected.  
	(h)  A nursing education program whose application has been denied under this section may request a hearing under AS 44.62.330 - 44.62.630 (Administrative Procedure Act) to appeal the denial.  
	(i)  Every six months, a nursing education program with provisional approval shall submit to the board a report that includes  
		(1) information about faculty qualifications;  
		(2) information about student admissions;  
		(3) information about curriculum development;   
		(4) faculty meeting minutes;  
		(5) NCLEX pass rates if appropriate; and  
		(6) information about progress toward accreditation.  
	(j)  A nursing education program with provisional approval shall provide to the board a copy of each interim report that the program receives from the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission or the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education accrediting agency.  
	(k)  Eighteen months after the board grants a nursing education program provisional approval, the board or the board's representative will conduct another survey of the program under 12 AAC 44.030.  
	(l)  To receive full approval from the board, a nursing education program must  
		(1) be fully accredited by the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission or the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education; and  
		(2) attain an 80 percent pass rate for first-time NCLEX test takers for a full year.  
	(m)  If a nursing education program does not attain full accreditation two years after the graduation of the program's first class or earlier, the program may request a one-time, two-year extension of provisional approval. The board will grant the extension if the board determines that the program is making sufficient progress towards full accreditation.  
	(n)  Notwithstanding (f) of this section, the board may withdraw provisional approval at any time if a program deficiency puts the public at risk. Deficiencies that put the public at risk include  
		(1) a decline in the pass rate for first-time NCLEX test takers;  
		(2) high student attrition rates;  
		(3) a reversal of progress toward accreditation; and  
		(4) significant faculty attrition.  

Authorities

08.68.100;08.68.290

Notes

Reference

12 AAC 44.020

Authority

AS 08.68.100 AS 08.68.290

History

Eff. 10/14/72, Register 43; am 4/2/86, Register 97; am 12/27/2012, Register 204