Before establishing a school of nursing, the proposed school shall contact the Board and complete the following process.

1. (1) Phase I - Application to the Board. The proposed school of nursing shall provide the following information to the Board:

   1. (a) Results of a needs assessment, including identification of potential, and available, students and employment opportunities for graduates.
   2. (b) Identification of sufficient financial and other resources.
   3. (c) Governing institution approval and support.
   4. (d) Community support.
   5. (e) Type of school of nursing proposed.
   6. (f) Evidence that the institution meets regional or national accreditation by an accredited agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education is recommended.
   7. (g) Evidence that the school of nursing is actively seeking accreditation from a U.S. Department of Education-recognized national nursing accrediting agency is recommended.
   8. (h) Clinical training opportunities and availability of resources.
   9. (i) Availability of qualified faculty and school of nursing director.
   10. (j) A proposed timeline for initiating and expanding the school of nursing.
   11. (k) Executive Director (or designee) consultation and site review.

2. (2) Phase II - Initial Approval for Admission of Students.

   1. (a) The proposed school of nursing shall provide the Board with verification that the following program components and processes have been completed:

      1. 1. Employment of a director and a minimum of two (2) faculty members to develop the program.
      2. 2. Overview of total curriculum:
   2. (i) Content
   3. (ii) Schedule (course sequence)
   4. (iii) Course descriptions
   5. (iv) Written agreements for clinical training sites
   6. (v) Annual report

   7. (vi) Course syllabi for first year with identified timeline for submission of syllabi for following year(s).

      1. 3. Establishment of student policies for admission, progression, retention and graduation.
   8. (b) The Board shall deny initial approval if it determines that a proposed school of nursing is unable to meet the standards for nursing education.
   9. (c) When the Board determines that all components and processes are completed and in place, the Board shall grant initial approval and authorize the school of nursing to admit students.
   10. (d) The school of nursing shall be reviewed each year.
   11. (e) The school of nursing is eligible to apply for full approval after the school of nursing graduates its first class.

3. (3) Phase III - Full Approval of School of Nursing. The Board shall fully approve the school of nursing upon:

   1. (a) Completion of Board school of nursing survey visit.
   2. (b) Submission of school of nursing’s annual report.
   3. (c) Completion of survey report that verifies the school of nursing is in compliance with the Board’s nursing education rules.
   4. (d) The Board may request periodic reports from the school of nursing.

Authority: T.C.A. §§ 63-7-117, 63-7-118, 63-7-119, and 63-7-207. Administrative History: Original rule filed December 3, 1982; effective January 3, 1983. Amendment filed August 27, 1993; effective October 25, 1993. Amendment filed June 16, 1994; effective August 30, 1994. Amendment filed June 29, 1999; effective September 12, 1999. Amendment filed March 21, 2005; effective June 4, 2005. Amendments filed November 4, 2005; effective January 18, 2006. Repeal and new rules filed July 10, 2024; effective October 8, 2024.