5601 INITIAL APPROVAL

5601.1 A college or university seeking initial approval of a nursing education program shall submit to the Board the following information:

1. (a) A statement of intent to establish a pre-licensure, RN-to-BSN, or advanced practice nursing education program, including name of owners and organization;
2. (b) A proposal which includes documentation of the following information:
3. (1) The present and future need for the program and the need for the specified level nurses in the District, including identification of potential students and employment opportunities for graduates;
4. (2) The potential impact on other nursing education programs in the area (e.g. clinical placements, faculty, and students);
5. (3) The organizational structure of the controlling college or university documenting the relationship of the program within that institution;
6. (4) The licensure status of the controlling college or university by the District of Columbia Higher Education Licensure Commission including accreditation status by a regional accrediting organization recognized by the U.S. Department of Education;
7. (5) The purpose, mission, and level of the program, including the method of education delivery;
8. (6) The availability of qualified administrators and faculty pursuant to the qualifications established under this chapter;
9. (7) The hiring procedures for ensuring that administrators and faculty will meet the requirements of this chapter;
10. (8) The budgeted faculty positions;
11. (9) The source and description of adequate clinical resources for the anticipated student population and program level, along with an attached Board of Nursing clinical verification form;

(10) The virtual lab or campus lab space and equipment, and an indication of the maximum number of students permitted in the lab in one session;

(11) Adequate academic facility and staff for campus-based programs, including instructional and administrative staff to support the program;

(12) Evidence of financial resources adequate for the planning, implementation, and continuation of the program;

(13) A description of the anticipated student population and enrollment;

(14) The tentative time schedule for planning and initiating the program;

(15) The admission criteria and procedures;

(16) The progression criteria and procedures;

(17) The graduation criteria and procedures;

(18) A curriculum plan including framework, program objectives, and list of all courses; and

(19) A systematic plan for evaluation of the program; and

(c) Submit a non-refundable application fee of ten thousand dollars ($10,000).

5601.2 If the Board approves the proposal, the Board shall request the following information from the applicant:

(a) A curriculum vitae for the appointed nurse administrator and program coordinator for programs as applicable;

(b) A curriculum vitae for each faculty member who meets the regulatory requirements and the intent of the program;

(c) A syllabus for each nursing course, which includes a course description, course or clinical objectives, prerequisites, course outline, and grading criteria; and

(d) A Student Handbook that includes nursing student policies for admission, progression, retention, and graduation.

5601.3 The Board shall conduct a site visit or, if applicable, a joint site visit with the District of Columbia Higher Education Licensure Commission.

5601.4 The Board may grant initial approval to a newly established program upon receipt of evidence that the relevant standards and requirements of this chapter are being met.

5601.5 The Board may grant approval to RN-to-BSN programs currently operating in the District of Columbia and seeking to continue operation contingent on the occurrence of the following:

(a) The program shall, within ninety (90) days of the effective date of these provisions, submit to the Board a statement of intent in accordance with § 5601.1(a) to seek Board approval for the program;

(b) Following or concurrent with the submission of a statement of intent in accordance with paragraph (a) above, the program shall submit, no later than one hundred eighty (180) days from the effective date of these provisions, a proposal in accordance with § 5601.1(b) and a non-refundable application fee of five thousand dollars ($5,000); and

(c) After conducting a site visit in accordance with §5601.3, the Board determines that the program meets the requirements of this chapter and merits an initial approval.

5601.6 Following or concurrent with the submission of a statement of intent in accordance with § 5601.5, the program shall submit, within one hundred eighty (180) days of the effective date of these provisions, a proposal in accordance with § 5601.1(b) and a non-refundable application fee of five thousand dollars ($5,000).

5601.7 The Board shall conduct a site visit of programs identified in §§ 5601.5 and 6 in accordance with § 5601.3 and may grant initial approval in accordance with § 5601.4.

SOURCE: Final Rulemaking published at 51 DCR 7190 (July 23, 2004); as amended by Final Rulemaking published at 54 DCR 2116 (March 9, 2007); as amended by Final Rulemaking published at 62 DCR 16319 (December 25, 2015); as amended by Final Rulemaking published at 68 DCR 012447 (November 26, 2021).