1. (a) The governing institution shall be accredited by a board recognized accrediting/approval agency.
2. (b) There shall be an organizational chart which demonstrates the relationship of the professional nursing program to the governing institution, and indicates lines of responsibility and authority, and channels of communication.
3. (c) In colleges and universities, the program shall have comparable status with other academic units in such areas as salary, rank, promotion, tenure, leave, benefits and professional development.
4. (d) The governing institution shall provide financial support and resources needed to operate a 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.

5. (e) Each basic nursing program shall be administered by a qualified nurse faculty member who is accountable for the planning, implementation and evaluation of the professional nursing education program. The dean/director shall:

   1. (1) hold a current license to practice as a registered nurse in the state of Texas;
   2. (2) hold a master's degree in nursing;
   3. (3) hold a doctoral degree, if administering a baccalaureate or master's degree program;
   4. (4) have a minimum of three years teaching experience in the type of program being administered; and
   5. (5) have demonstrated knowledge, skills and abilities in administration within educational programs.

6. (f) When the director of the program changes, the director shall submit to the board written notification of the change indicating the final date of employment.

   1. (1) A new director qualification form shall be submitted to the board office by the governing institution for approval prior to appointing a new director for an existing program or a new nursing program.
   2. (2) A vitae and all official transcripts shall be submitted with the new director qualification form.
   3. (3) If an acting director is appointed to fill the position of the director, this appointment shall not exceed one year.
   4. (4) In a fully accredited professional nursing program, if the individual to be appointed as director does not meet the requirements for director as specified in subsection (e) of this section, the administration is permitted to petition for a waiver of the board's requirements prior to the appointment of said individual.

Source Note:The provisions of this §215.6 adopted to be effective September 1, 1999, 23 TexReg 13070.