Voluntary Closure

1. (1) When a governing institution decides to close a nursing education program it shall immediately notify the commission in writing, stating the reason, plan, and date of intended closing. The governing institution may choose one of the following closing procedures:

   1. (a) The nursing education program may continue until the last class enrolled is graduated if:

      1. (i) The nursing education program continues to meet the standards for approval, WAC 246-840-511 through 246-840-556 until all of the enrolled students have graduated;
      2. (ii) The date of closure is the date on the degree, diploma, or certificate of the last graduate; and
      3. (iii) The governing institution notifies the commission in writing of the closing date; or

   2. (b) The program may close after assisting in the transfer of students to other approved programs if:

      1. (i) The program continues to meet the standards required for approval, WAC 246-840-511 through 246-840-556 until all students are transferred;
      2. (ii) The governing institution submits to the commission a list of the names of students who have been transferred to approved programs and the date on which the last student was transferred; and

      3. (iii) The date on which the last student was transferred shall be the closing date of the program.

         Closing as a Result of Withdrawal of Approval

2. (2) When the commission withdraws approval of a nursing education program, the governing institution shall comply with the following procedures:

   1. (a) Students of the nursing education program shall be notified in writing of their status and options for transfer to an approved program.
   2. (b) The nursing education program shall close after assisting in the transfer of students to other approved programs. The commission must establish a period for the transfer process.

   3. (c) The governing institution shall submit to the commission a list of the names of students who have transferred to approved programs and the date on which the last student was transferred.

      Requirements for All Nursing Education Programs That Close

3. (3) Nursing education programs, regardless of type of closure, shall submit to the commission a plan for the secure storage and access to academic records and transcripts at the time of the decision to close the program.

[Statutory Authority: RCW 18.79.010, 18.79.110, 18.79.150, 18.79.190, and 18.79.240. WSR 16-17-082, § 246-840-559, filed 8/17/16, effective 9/17/16.]