PURPOSE: This rule sets forth the criteria to be used by the Department of Higher Education and the State Board of Nursing regarding the awarding of grants to eligible institutions of higher education under the Nursing Education Incentive Program.

1. (1) Program Description. The “Nursing Education Incentive Program” is intended to address two (2) growing problems in nursing education.

   1. (A) Missouri institutions have been unable to admit many qualified applicants to their nursing programs because of a lack of physical or educational capacity. Because of these capacity constraints, students interested in entering nursing programs are unable to access the program of their choice, creating supply problems for the health care industry.
   2. (B) Many areas of Missouri have been determined to be medically underserved. This determination is based upon the income of the population and the ratio of physicians, dentists, and behavioral health clinicians to the total population.

2. (2) Institutional Criteria for Grant Awards. To be eligible to receive a Nursing Education Incentive Grant, the applicant must meet the following eligibility criteria:

   1. (A) Be a Missouri institution of higher education (sponsoring institution) offering a program of professional nursing;
   2. (B) Be accredited by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association; and

   3. (C) Offer a nursing program or programs that meet the following program criteria:

      1. 1. Official National Council Licensure

Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX- RN) pass rates consistently greater than or equal to eighty percent (80%);

1. 2. Record of consistently meeting

requirements for full approval by the Missouri State Board of Nursing;

1. 3. Student graduation rates greater than

or equal to eighty percent (80%). Graduation rate shall mean the percent of first time students who complete their program within one hundred fifty percent (150%) of the normal time to completion; and

1. 4. Job placement rates greater than or

equal to ninety percent (90%). Job placement rate shall mean the percent of program graduates (less those continuing their education) who have secured employment in the nursing field within six (6) months of graduation.

1. (3) Required Components of The Grant Proposal. To receive consideration, each proposal must include the following components:

   1. (A) Cover letter of support from the president of the sponsoring institution and the relevant official with direct responsibility for nursing education at the sponsoring institution;
   2. (B) Abstract—Applicants must provide a one (1)-page overview of the project that includes its goals, purpose, and scope; and

   3. (C) Narrative description of the proposal including:

      1. 1. Description of the activities that will

be undertaken as part of the grant;

1. 2. Description of the capacity and struc-

ture the institution has in place to administer the grant activities;

1. 3. Explanation of how the proposal will

impact the goals established for the grant program; and

1. 4. The following data/information:

   1. A. Student admissions/progression

requirements;

1. B. For each of the past three (3) years,

the number of applicants for admission that met those requirements yet were denied admission due to a lack of capacity;

1. C. The number of faculty positions

that are currently vacant and the duration of any such vacancy;

1. D. Any evidence that would indicate

that additional graduates will serve geographically underserved areas of the state; and

1. E. Description of the applicant’s plan

for maintaining the benefits of the initiative following the expiration of the grant;

1. 5. Goals and objectives—Applicants

must identify the goals and objectives of the project. Activities, services, and anticipated outcomes should be described and clearly aligned with the objectives of the overall grant program; and

1. 6. Budget summary and narrative—

Applicants must provide detail concerning personnel, activities, and services paid for through grant funds. This should include:

1. A. Proposed expenditures for the

grant period; and

1. B. A narrative outlining how funds

will be used to accomplish the goals and objectives of the project. Each budget category must be justified in the budget narrative.

1. (4) Goals and Objectives. Successful proposals must show evidence of their ability to 6 CSR 10-11

impact the program goals of an increase in faculty resources and/or an increase in student capacity. Grant proposals should focus on one (1) or more of the following areas:

1. (A) Additional faculty positions;
2. (B) Development of accelerated graduate nursing programs with focus on expansion of faculty resources;
3. (C) Scholarships or traineeships for faculty development with commitment to teach in a Missouri school of nursing for a minimum of three (3) years after degree completion;
4. (D) Creation of faculty salary/benefit packages that are market competitive to recruit and retain highly qualified faculty for theory/clinical teaching;
5. (E) Expansion of clinical placement through development of new clinical partnerships; and/or
6. (F) Use of technology resources designed to augment instruction.

1. (5) Grant Award Amounts and Duration. Proposals are limited to one (1) year in duration, with the potential for extensions of two
2. (2) additional one (1)-year periods. Grants are limited to one hundred fifty thousand dollars ($150,000) per campus for each year.
3. (6) Grant Applications Submission Deadlines. The Missouri Department of Higher Education (MDHE) will establish and publicize the filing deadlines for the submission of grant applications. To be considered complete, applications must include all components referenced in section (3) of this rule and be received at the offices of the MDHE by 5:00 p.m. on the deadline date.

AUTHORITY: sections 335.036 and 335.200 to 335.203, HB 233, First Regular Session, Ninety-sixth General Assembly, 2011.* Emergency rule filed Sept. 23, 2011, effective Oct. 3, 2011, expired March 30, 2012. Original rule filed July 12, 2011, effective Jan. 30, 2012.

*Original authority: 335.036, RSMo 1975, amended 1981, 1985, 1993, 1995, 1999, 2007, 2008, 2011 and 335.200–335.203, See Revised Statutes of Missouri.