1. (a) The controlling agency/governing institution of a professional nursing school/educational program, not including a diploma program, must be accredited by an agency recognized by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (THECB) or hold a certificate of authority from the THECB under provisions leading to accreditation of the institution in due course.
2. (b) There shall be an organizational chart which demonstrates the relationship of the professional pre-licensure nursing educational program to the controlling agency/governing institution, and indicates lines of responsibility and authority.
3. (c) In colleges and universities, the nursing educational program shall have comparable status with other academic 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 graduate preparation and 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 professional nursing educational program shall be administered by a qualified individual who is accountable for the planning, implementation and evaluation of the professional nursing educational program. The dean or director shall:

   1. (1) hold a current license or privilege to practice as a registered nurse in the state of Texas;
   2. (2) hold a master's degree or a doctorate 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 a professional nursing educational program;
   5. (5) have demonstrated knowledge, skills and abilities in administration within a professional nursing educational program; and
   6. (6) not carry a teaching load of more than three clock hours per week if required to teach.

7. (g) When the dean/director of the program changes, the dean/director 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 dean/director or interim dean/director in an existing program or a new nursing educational program, according to Board guidelines.
   2. (2) A vitae and all official transcripts shall be submitted with the new Dean/Director/Coordinator Qualification Form according to Board guidelines.
   3. (3) If an interim dean/director is appointed to fill the position, this appointment shall not exceed one year.
   4. (4) In a fully approved professional nursing educational program, if the individual to be appointed as dean/director or interim dean/director does not meet the requirements for dean/director 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 dean/director or interim dean/director of a professional 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 deans/directors.

9. (i) The dean/director 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 §215.6 adopted to be effective January 9, 2005, 29 TexReg 12190; amended to be effective August 11, 2005, 30 TexReg 4480; amended to be effective January 10, 2008, 33 TexReg 183; amended to be effective October 19, 2008, 33 TexReg 8509.