1. (a) The controlling agency/governing institution shall be licensed/approved or deemed exempt by the Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) or the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (THECB).
2. (b) There shall be an organizational chart indicating lines of authority between the vocational nursing educational program and the controlling agency/governing institution.
3. (c) The nursing educational program shall have comparable status with other educational units within the controlling agency/governing institution in such areas as budgetary authority, rank, promotion, tenure, leave, benefits and professional development.
4. (d) Salaries shall be adequate to recruit, employ, and retain sufficient qualified nursing faculty members with the expertise necessary for students to meet program goals.
5. (e) The controlling agency/governing institution shall provide financial support and resources needed to operate a nursing educational program which meets the legal and educational requirements of the Board and fosters achievement of program goals. The financial resources shall support adequate educational facilities, equipment and qualified administrative and instructional personnel.

6. (f) Each vocational nursing educational program shall be administered by a qualified individual who is accountable for the planning, implementation and evaluation of the vocational nursing educational program. The director/coordinator shall:

   1. (1) hold a current license or privilege to practice as a registered nurse in the state of Texas;
   2. (2) have been actively employed in nursing for the past five years, preferably in supervision or teaching;
   3. (3) if the director has not been actively employed in nursing for the past five years, the director's advanced preparation in nursing, nursing education, and nursing administration and prior relevant nursing employment may be taken into consideration by the Board staff in evaluating qualifications for the position;
   4. (4) have a degree or equivalent experience that will demonstrate competency and advanced preparation in nursing, education, and administration;
   5. (5) have had five years of varied nursing experience since graduation from a professional nursing educational program;
   6. (6) the director may have responsibilities other than the program provided that another qualified nursing faculty member is designated to assist with the program management; and
   7. (7) a director with responsibilities other than the program shall not have major teaching responsibilities.

7. (g) When the director/coordinator of the program changes, the director/coordinator shall submit to the Board office written notification of the change indicating the final date of employment.

   1. (1) A new Dean/Director/Coordinator Qualification Form shall be submitted to the office by the controlling agency/governing institution for approval prior to the appointment of a new director/coordinator or an interim director/coordinator in an existing program or a new nursing educational program according to Board guidelines.
   2. (2) A vitae and all applicable official transcripts shall be submitted with the new Dean/Director/Coordinator Qualification Form, according to Board guidelines.
   3. (3) If an interim director/coordinator is appointed to fill the position, this appointment shall not exceed one year.
   4. (4) In a fully approved vocational nursing educational program, if the individual to be appointed as director/coordinator or interim director/coordinator does not meet the requirements for director/coordinator as specified in subsection (f) of this section, the administration is permitted to petition for a waiver of the Board's requirements, according to Board guidelines, prior to the appointment of said individual.
8. (h) A newly appointed director/coordinator or interim director/coordinator of a vocational nursing educational program shall attend the next scheduled education workshop provided by the Board related to the education rules and the role and responsibilities of newly appointed directors/coordinators.

9. (i) The director/coordinator shall have the authority to direct the nursing educational program in all its phases, including approval of teaching staff, selection of appropriate clinical sites, admission, progression, probation, dismissal of students, and enforcement of student policies. Additional responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

   1. (1) providing evidence of faculty expertise and knowledge to teach curriculum content;
   2. (2) verifying student's completion of program requirements;
   3. (3) completing and submitting the Texas Board of Nursing Affidavit of Graduation; and
   4. (4) completing and submitting the Texas Board of Nursing Educational Program Information Survey (NEPIS) and Compliance Audit (CANEP) by the required dates.

Source Note:The provisions of this §214.6 adopted to be effective February 13, 2005, 30 TexReg 545; amended to be effective January 10, 2008, 33 TexReg 179; amended to be effective October 19, 2008, 33 TexReg 8501.