PURPOSE: This rule defines the required examination pass rate for first time candidates and its impact on program approval.

1. (1) The licensure examination performance of first-time candidates from each professional nursing program shall be no less than eighty percent (80%) for each calendar year (January 1 through December 31).
2. (2) First-time candidates will include only those graduates of the program who take the licensure examination for the first time within one (1) year of graduation.

3. (3) The nursing program with a pass rate lower than eighty percent (80%) will:

   1. (A) First year—Provide the board with a report analyzing all aspects of the education program, identifying areas contributing to the unacceptable pass rate and plan of action to resolve low pass rate;

   2. (B) Second consecutive year—The program may be placed on conditional approval status. The program administrator will be required to appear before and present to the board an analysis of program effectiveness, problems identified, and plans of correction. Program effectiveness may include evidence of:

      1. 1. Class graduation rates;
      2. 2. National Council Licensure

Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX- RN®) pass rates;

1. 3. Student satisfaction;
2. 4. Graduate satisfaction;
3. 5. Job placement rates; and
4. 6. Employer satisfaction.
5. (C) The nursing program placed on conditional approval shall remain on “conditional approval” (as per 20 CSR 2200-2.010(6)) until it has two (2) consecutive years of pass rates of at least eighty percent (80%) or until the board removes approval pursuant to section 335.071.3, RSMo; and
6. (D) If, after two (2) years of conditional approval, a school has not demonstrated consistent measurable progress toward imple- 20 CSR 2200-2

mentation of the correction plan the board will withdraw approval pursuant to section 335.071.3, RSMo.

AUTHORITY: sections 335.036(2), (3), (4), (5) and (6) and 335.071, RSMo 2000.* This rule originally filed as 4 CSR 200-2.180. Original rule filed Sept. 1, 1998, effective Feb. 28, 1999. Amended: Filed Dec. 1, 2000, effective May 30, 2001. Moved to 20 CSR 2200-2.180, effective Aug. 28, 2006. Rescinded and readopted: Filed April 17, 2007, effective Dec. 30, 2007.

*Original authority: 335.036, RSMo 1975, amended 1981, 1985, 1993, 1995, 1999; 335.071, RSMo 1975, amended 1981, 1999.