201 KAR 20:310. Faculty for prelicensure registered nurse and practical nurse programs

      Section 1. Definitions. (1) "Nursing experience" means employment in a position that requires the individual to hold an active nursing license, such as nursing clinical practice, nursing administration, nursing education, or nursing research.

      (2) "Unencumbered" means a license without current disciplinary conditions or restrictions. Enrollment in an alternative to discipline program is not an encumbrance.

 

      Section 2. Faculty for Prelicensure Registered Nurse and Practical Nurse Programs. (1)(a) The faculty shall include a program administrator and shall include at least one (1) other nurse faculty.

      1. The faculty may include clinical instructors in the major areas of nursing practice.

      2. The faculty shall be adequate in number to implement the curriculum as determined by program outcomes, course objectives, the level of the students, the number of students and classes admitted annually, and the educational technology utilized.

      (b) The program administrator and all nurse faculty and clinical instructors shall be appointed by and be responsible to the governing institution of the program of nursing.

      (c) A program shall develop and implement a plan of organization and administration that clearly establishes the lines of authority, accountability, and responsibility for each program location.

      (2) The program administrator for a registered nurse program shall have:

      (a) A minimum of a master’s or higher degree in nursing from an accredited college or university;

      (b) A minimum of five (5) years of nursing experience within the immediate past ten (10) years and demonstrated leadership experience;

      (c) A minimum of two (2) years of full time teaching experience at or above the academic level of the program of nursing; and

      (d) An unencumbered current license, privilege, or temporary work permit to

practice as a registered nurse in the Commonwealth of Kentucky.

      (3)(a) Except as provided by paragraph (b) of this subsection, the program administrator for a practical nurse program shall have:

      1. A master’s or higher degree in nursing from an accredited college or university;

      2. A minimum of five (5) years of nursing experience within the past ten (10) years with demonstrated leadership experience;

      3. Current unencumbered license, privilege, or temporary work permit to practice as a registered nurse in the Commonwealth of Kentucky;

      4. A minimum of two (2) years full time teaching experience at or above the academic level of the program of nursing; and

      5. A current knowledge of nursing practice at the practical or vocational level.

      (b) A program administrator who is currently employed at a practical nurse program and who does not meet the requirements of paragraph (a) of this subsection on the effective date of this administrative regulation because of the lack of a master’s degree may continue to be employed at the program of nursing where the program administrator is presently, but shall earn the master’s degree or higher within five (5) years of the effective date of this administrative regulation.

      (4)(a) Nurse faculty in a baccalaureate degree prelicensure registered nurse program shall hold a degree from an accredited college or university, which shall include:

      1. A master’s degree within the discipline of nursing or have completed that portion that would be equivalent to a master’s in nursing degree; or

      2. A baccalaureate degree with a major in nursing and a master’s degree in a related field, which includes a minimum of eighteen (18) graduate hours in nursing. The eighteen (18) graduate hours in nursing may also be earned independently of the related master’s degree.

      (b) Nurse faculty in an associate degree prelicensure registered nurse program shall hold a degree from an accredited college or university, which shall include:

      1. A master’s degree within the discipline of nursing or have completed that portion of a nursing program that would be equivalent to a master’s in nursing degree;

      2. A baccalaureate degree with a major in nursing and a master’s degree in a related field, which includes a minimum of eighteen (18) graduate hours in nursing. The eighteen (18) graduate hours in nursing may also be earned independently of the related master’s degree; or

      3. A baccalaureate degree with a major in nursing or have completed that portion of a state approved program of nursing that would be equivalent to a baccalaureate degree, and the nurse faculty member shall complete within five (5) years of hire a master’s degree commensurate with either subparagraph 1. or 2. of this paragraph.

      (c) Nurse faculty in a practical nurse program shall have a minimum of a baccalaureate degree with a major in nursing from an accredited college or university.

      (d) The nurse faculty shall hold a temporary work permit or a current unencumbered license or privilege to practice as a registered nurse in the Commonwealth of Kentucky, except as set out in paragraph (i) of this subsection.

      (e) The nurse faculty shall document a minimum of two (2) years full time or equivalent experience as a registered nurse within the immediate past five (5) years and shall maintain expertise appropriate to teaching responsibilities.

      (f) The nurse faculty shall document preparation in educational activities in the area of teaching and learning principles for adult education, including curriculum development and implementation. The preparation shall be acquired through planned faculty in-service learning activities, continuing education offerings, or academic courses.

      (g) Nurse faculty shall have and maintain expertise in the clinical or functional area of responsibility.

      (h) Nurse faculty hired without prior teaching experience shall have a mentor assigned and an educational development plan implemented.

      (i) 1. Non-nurse faculty members who teach nursing courses required within the curriculum shall have appropriate academic and experiential qualifications for the program areas in which they participate.

      2. Non-nurse faculty shall be required to collaborate with a nurse faculty member in order to meet the nursing course outcomes.

      (j) Nurse faculty who teach via distance or on-line and will not physically practice within the state shall hold an unencumbered active nursing license to practice as a registered nurse in the nurse faculty's primary state of residence.

      (5)(a) A clinical instructor shall function under the guidance of the nurse faculty responsible for a given course.

      (b) A clinical instructor shall hold a current unencumbered license, privilege, or temporary work permit to practice as a registered nurse in the state of the student’s clinical site.

      (c) A clinical instructor shall have a minimum of two (2) years full time or equivalent experience within the functional area as a registered nurse within the immediate past five (5) years and evidence of clinical competence.

      (d) For a registered nurse program, the educational preparation of the clinical instructor shall at least equal the level of the appointing program.

 

      Section 3. Preceptors. (1) A preceptor may be used to enhance clinical learning experiences. If a preceptor is used, it shall be done after a student has received clinical and didactic instruction from the program faculty in all basic areas for the course or specific learning experience.

      (2) A preceptor shall hold a current unencumbered license, privilege, or temporary work permit to practice as a registered nurse in the state of the student’s clinical site. In a practical nursing program, a preceptor may hold a current unencumbered license, privilege, or temporary work permit to practice as a licensed practical nurse in the state of the student’s clinical site.

      (3) A preceptor shall have evidence of clinical competencies related to the area of assigned clinical teaching responsibilities.

      (4) A preceptor shall not be used to replace clinical instructors. The ratio of student to preceptor shall not exceed two (2) to one (1). Clinical instructors or nurse faculty retain responsibility for student learning and confer with the preceptor and student for the purpose of monitoring and evaluating learning experiences.

      (5) There shall be documentation of orientation to the course, program outcomes, student learning objectives, evaluation methods to be utilized by the faculty, and documented role expectations of faculty, preceptor, and student.

 

      Section 4. Reporting of Registered Nurse Program and Practical Nurse Program Faculty Qualifications and Appointments. (1) Evaluation of faculty records. The program administrator shall submit to the board the qualifications of nurse faculty and clinical instructors within thirty (30) days of appointment.

      (a) Official academic transcripts or copies verified by the nurse administrator or designee shall be available to the board upon request.

      (b) A complete and official record of qualifications and workload for each faculty member shall be on file and available to the board upon request.

      (c) Faculty appointments shall be reported to the board in writing.

      (d) The program administrator shall report a change in faculty composition within thirty (30) days of appointment or vacancy.

      (2) Reevaluation of faculty records. The board shall review annually the qualifications of the faculty employed in the program of nursing. (11 Ky.R. 1704; Am. 12 Ky.R. 17; eff. 7-9-1985; 14 Ky.R. 591; eff. 11-6-1987; 16 Ky.R. 1400; eff. 3-8-1990; 17 Ky.R. 280; eff. 9-14-1990; 19 Ky.R. 1645; eff. 2-17-1993; 29 Ky.R. 2125; 2452; eff. 4-11-2003; 33 Ky.R. 865; 1290; eff. 11-15-2006; 34 Ky.R. 344; 711; eff. 10-17-2007; 37 Ky.R. 2911; eff. 8-17-2011; TAm. eff. 7-23-2012; 40 Ky.R. 1344; 1720; eff. 2-19-2014; 42 Ky.R. 2422, 2722; eff. 6-3-16.)

Notation

      RELATES TO: KRS 314.111, 314.470

      STATUTORY AUTHORITY: KRS 314.131(1)

      NECESSITY, FUNCTION, AND CONFORMITY: KRS 314.131(1) authorizes the Board of Nursing to promulgate administrative regulations necessary to enable it to carry into effect the provisions of KRS Chapter 314. This administrative regulation establishes standards for faculty of programs of nursing that prepare graduates for licensure as registered nurses or practical nurses.