201 KAR 20:320. Standards for curriculum of prelicensure nursing programs

      Section 1. Definitions. (1) "Debriefing" means an activity that follows a simulation experience, is led by a nurse faculty as established in 201 KAR 20:310, Section 2, encourages participant’s reflective thinking, and provides feedback regarding the participant’s performance.

      (2) "Distance learning" means didactic instruction offered by any means where the student and faculty are in separate physical locations.

      (3) "Practical nursing program" means a program of nursing organized and administered by a vocational, technical, or adult education system or an independent school at a postsecondary level that awards the graduate a diploma in practical nursing upon meeting requirements of the program.

      (4) "Program of nursing" means an educational entity that offers the courses and learning experiences that prepare graduates who are competent to practice nursing safely and who are eligible to take the NCLEX-RN or NCLEX-PN examinations.

      (5) "Registered nursing program" means a program of nursing organized and administered by an institution of higher learning that awards a degree in nursing upon meeting requirements of the program.

      (6) "Simulation" means an activity or a technique that replicates actual or potential situations in clinical practice that allows the participant to develop or enhance critical thinking.

 

      Section 2. General. (1) An applicant for licensure shall complete a prelicensure program of nursing that meets the requirements of this administrative regulation.

      (2) Length.

      (a) A registered nursing program shall be a minimum of two (2) academic years, which may include prior articulated academic credits.

      (b) A practical nursing program shall be a minimum of one (1) academic year.

      (3) Philosophy, mission, and outcomes.

      (a) The philosophy, mission, and outcomes of the program of nursing shall be clearly defined in writing by the nursing faculty and be consistent with those of the governing institution.

      (b) The program outcomes shall describe the expected competencies of the graduate.

      (c) The program shall conduct an evaluation to validate that identified program outcomes have been achieved and provide evidence of improvement based on an analysis of those results.

      (4) Approval.

      (a) A curriculum plan shall be approved by the board in accordance with this administrative regulation.

      (b) The curriculum plan shall enable the student to develop the nursing knowledge, skills, and competencies for the expected entry level and scope of practice.

      (c) Theory and clinical experiences shall provide the student with opportunities to acquire and demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and competencies necessary for safe practice.

      (5) Curriculum plan.

      (a) The development, implementation, evaluation, and revision of the curriculum shall be the responsibility of the nursing faculty including the program administrator with input from students.

      (b) The curriculum of the program of nursing shall assure the development of evidence based practice for the level and scope of nursing practice. This shall include the skills to identify and apply best practices in nursing care by providing client-centered, culturally competent care and respecting client differences, values, preferences, and expressed needs.

      (c) A registered nursing program may determine that a portion of the curriculum fulfills the scope of practice for licensed practical nursing and allow students to exit the program and be made eligible for the NCLEX-PN examination. The registered nursing program shall submit its plan to the board for approval.

      (6) Organization of the curriculum.

      (a) There shall be a written plan, including supporting rationale, which describes the organization and development of the curriculum.

      (b) The curriculum plan shall reflect the philosophy, mission, and outcomes of the program.

      (c) There shall be a rationale for the amount of time or credits allocated to course and clinical practice experience.

      (d) A course syllabus shall be developed for each nursing course to include outcomes-planned instruction, learning activities, and method of evaluation.

      1. Each course shall be implemented in accordance with the established course syllabus.

      2. A copy of each course syllabus shall be on file in the program of nursing office and shall be available to the board upon request.

      (e) The curriculum plan shall be logical and sequential, and shall demonstrate an increase in difficulty and complexity as the student progresses through the program.

      (f) A course may be offered as a distance learning course. A distance learning course shall meet the same standards as established in 201 KAR 20:260 through 201 KAR 20:360 for any other course.

      (7) Curriculum components.

      (a) The curriculum of a registered nursing program or a practical nursing program shall prepare the graduate for licensure and full scope of practice as defined by current standards for nursing practice and expected competencies of graduates at the appropriate educational level.

      (b) The curriculum shall include theory and selected clinical practice experiences designed to enable students to provide nursing care to individuals throughout the life span.

      (c) Clinical practice settings shall be appropriate for the type of nursing program and the program outcomes and enable the student to observe and practice safe nursing care of persons at each stage of the life span. Experiences shall include opportunities to learn and provide care to diverse ethnic and cultural populations.

      (d) Clinical practice experience shall be supervised by board approved nursing faculty in accordance with 201 KAR 20:310.

      (e) The curriculum shall have written measurable program competencies that reflect the role of the graduate.

      (f) Students shall have sufficient opportunities in simulated or clinical settings to develop psychomotor skills essential for safe, effective practice.

      (8) Curriculum change.

      (a) A program of nursing that is not accredited by a national nursing accrediting body shall submit a written plan for major curriculum revisions to the board a minimum of four (4) months prior to the planned implementation.

      1. A request for curriculum revision shall include the present plan and the proposed change with rationale and expected outcomes.

      2. The board shall be available to assist if curriculum revisions are being considered.

      3. Major curriculum revisions shall include:

      a. A change in the philosophy, mission, or outcomes that results in a reorganization or re-conceptualization of the entire curriculum; or

      b. The addition of tracks or alternative programs of study that provide educational mobility.

      (b) A program of nursing that implements a curriculum change shall provide an evaluation of the outcomes of those changes through the first graduating class following full implementation of the curriculum change. The program of nursing shall also submit the evaluation with its annual report.

      (9) Integrated practicum.

      (a) The curriculum shall include an integrated practicum. The integrated practicum shall consist of a minimum of 120 clock hours of concentrated clinical experience of direct patient care in a health care facility or health care organization.

      (b) The integrated practicum shall be completed within a period not to exceed seven (7) consecutive weeks while the governing institution is in session during the last semester or quarter of a nursing program.

 

      Section 3. Simulation Standards. (1)(a) A program of nursing that uses simulation shall adhere to the standards set in this section.

      (b) A program of nursing shall not use simulation for more than fifty (50) percent of its total clinical hours required for graduation.

      (2) Upon request by the board, a program of nursing shall provide evidence that the standards set in this section have been met.

      (3)(a) The program of nursing shall provide adequate fiscal, human, and material resources to support the simulation activities.

      (b) Simulation activities shall be managed by a nurse faculty member as established in 201 KAR 20:310, Section 2, who is academically and experientially qualified in the use of simulation, both in its pedagogical and technical aspects. The managing faculty member shall demonstrate his or her qualifications by:

      1. Attendance at simulation conferences;

      2. Completion of educational activities related to simulation; or

      3. Holding a credential issued by the Society for Simulation in Healthcare or a simulation preparation program recognized by the International Nursing Association for Clinical Simulation.

      (c) There shall be a budget that will sustain the simulation activities and training of the faculty.

      (d) The program of nursing shall have written rationale for the use and purpose of simulation within the curriculum.

      (e) The program of nursing shall have an orientation plan for faculty concerning simulation.

      (f) The program of nursing shall have a written procedure on the method of prebriefing and debriefing each simulated activity.

      (4) The program of nursing shall have appropriate facilities for conducting simulation. This shall include educational and technological resources and equipment to meet the intended objectives of the simulation.

      (5) Faculty, both didactic and clinical, that utilize simulation shall:

      (a) Have training in the use of simulation; and

      (b) Engage in on-going professional development in the use of simulation.

      (6) The simulation activities shall be linked to the program of nursing’s course objectives and the programmatic outcomes.

      (7)(a) The program of nursing shall develop written criteria to evaluate the simulation activities.

      (b) Students and faculty shall evaluate the simulation experience on an ongoing basis.

      (8) The program of nursing shall include information about its use of simulation in its annual report to the board. (11 Ky.R. 1705; eff. 6-4-1985; Am. 14 Ky.R. 593; eff. 11-6-1987; 30 Ky.R. 77; 578; eff. 8-20-2003; 34 Ky.R. 347; 713; eff. 10-17-2007; 40 Ky.R. 1347; 1722; eff. 2-19-2014; 42 Ky.R 2425, 2583, 2723; eff. 6-3-2016.)

Notation

      RELATES TO: KRS 314.011(5), 314.021, 314.041(1)(a), 314.111(1), 314.131(1), (2)

      STATUTORY AUTHORITY: KRS 314.041(1)(a), 314.051(1)(a), 314.111(1), 314.131(1), (2)

      NECESSITY, FUNCTION, AND CONFORMITY: KRS 314.041(1)(a) and 314.051(1)(a) require that an applicant for licensure as a registered or licensed practical nurse complete the basic nursing curriculum in an approved school of nursing. KRS 314.111(1) requires that schools of nursing regardless of delivery models shall meet minimum standards and be approved by the Board of Nursing. KRS 314.131(1) and (2) authorizes the board to promulgate administrative regulations necessary to approve programs of nursing. This administrative regulation establishes the curriculum requirements for prelicensure registered nurse and practical nursing programs.