State accreditation by the Board of Nurse Examiners for advanced practice nursing programs in Texas is voluntary. If state accreditation for an advanced practice nursing program is desired, then this chapter would apply.

1. (1) Phase I: development of a new program.

   1. (A) An institution wishing to establish an accredited advanced practice nursing program shall advise the board of its intent in writing.
   2. (B) The institution shall submit two copies of a proposal to the board's office for staff review.

   3. (C) The proposal shall include the following information:

      1. (i) mission of the educational institution;
      2. (ii) accreditation status of the educational institution;
      3. (iii) type of advanced practice nursing program proposed;
      4. (iv) documentation of the need for the advanced practice nursing program in Texas with rationale for why the program should be established;
      5. (v) potential effect on other advanced practice nursing programs in the area;
      6. (vi) organizational structure of the educational institution showing the relationship of the proposed advanced practice nursing program within the organization;
      7. (vii) tentative timetable;
      8. (viii) tentative budget plans including evidence of financial resources adequate for planning, implementing, and continuing the program:
      9. (ix) source of potential qualified director and faculty;
      10. (x) source of anticipated student population;
      11. (xi) description of support staff for the proposed program;
      12. (xii) description of physical facilities; and
      13. (xiii) description of available clinical resources.
   4. (D) Following staff review of the proposal, the institution will be notified as to whether or not further clarification and/or revisions are necessary.
   5. (E) At least three weeks prior to a regularly scheduled board meeting, the institution shall submit two copies of the final proposal to the board's office and one copy to each board member.
   6. (F) The proposal will be reviewed at a regularly scheduled board meeting. The board may deny further consideration of the proposal, may defer action on the proposal, or may authorize a site visit and a public hearing.

   7. (G) Following the site visit and public hearing, the board may approve, defer action or deny the request.

      1. (i) Approval of the proposal to establish an advanced practice nursing program will be given when the educational institution has submitted evidence that the advanced practice nursing program will be based upon sound educational principles, that valid rationale has been documented for the establishment of the advanced practice nursing program, that existing advanced practice nursing programs would not be adversely affected and that the educational institution is prepared to meet the board's requirements as specified in §§219.1-219.17 of this title (relating to Definitions, New Programs, Accreditation, Philosophy and Objectives, Administration and Organization, Faculty Qualifications, Change of Director, Faculty Policies, Faculty Development and Evaluation, Program of Study, Curriculum, Curriculum Change, Students, Educational Resources and Facilities, Clinical Resources, Records and Reports, and Total Program Evaluation).
      2. (ii) If approved, the institution will be notified in writing to proceed with the development of the advanced practice nursing program as described in Phase II.
      3. (iii) If deferred, the institution will be notified in writing of the reason(s) for deferral.
      4. (iv) If denied, the institution will be notified in writing of the reason(s) for denial.

2. (2) Phase II: application for initial accreditation.

   1. (A) The director and faculty shall plan the program of learning.
   2. (B) The director of the advanced practice nursing program shall submit two copies of the application for initial accreditation to the board's office for staff review.
   3. (C) Following staff review, the director will be instructed as to whether or not further clarification and/or revisions of the application are necessary.
   4. (D) At least three weeks prior to a regularly scheduled board meeting, the director shall submit two copies of the final application to the board's office and one copy to each board member.
   5. (E) The board shall review the application and supporting evidence at a regularly scheduled meeting. If the program is based upon sound educational principles and is in compliance with the board's requirements as specified in §219.1 of this title (relating to Definitions), this section, and § §219.3-219.17 of this title (relating to Accreditation; Philosophy and Objectives; Administration and Organization; Faculty Qualifications; Change of Director; Faculty Policies; Faculty Development and Evaluation; Program of Study; Curriculum; Curriculum Change; Students; Educational Resources and Facilities; Clinical Resources; Records and Reports; and Total Program Evaluation), initial accreditation may be granted.

Source Note:The provisions of this §219.2 adopted to be effective August 24, 1989, 14 TexReg 3987; amended to be effective July 9, 1996, 21 TexReg 5556.