La. Admin. Code tit. 46 § XLVII-3503
Accreditation-an external quality review process used in U.S. education and performed by peers to assure that postsecondary institutions and other education providers meet and maintain minimum standards of quality and integrity regarding academics, administration, structure, function, performance and related services. The goal of accreditation is to ensure that education provided by institutions of higher education meets acceptable levels of quality.
1. Regional Accreditation-accreditation by an agency recognized by the Council on Higher Education Accreditation and/or the U.S. Department of Education to ensure the quality and integrity of public and private, mainly non-profit, degree-granting, two--- and four-year, institutions.
2. National Nursing (Program) Accreditation- accreditation by an agency recognized by the Council on Higher Education Accreditation and/or the U.S. Department of Education to ensure the quality and integrity of diploma, associate, baccalaureate, graduate, and residency programs in nursing.
Acknowledge-recognition of receipt of item by the board or board staff that does not require board approval.
Advanced Practice Nursing Role-the advanced practice role for which a graduate nursing education degree program prepares its graduates. The advanced practice role categories for licensure include certified nurse midwives (CNM), certified registered nurse anesthetists (CRNA), clinical nurse specialists (CNS), and nurse practitioners (NP).
Approval-legal recognition indicating the undergraduate and/or graduate nursing education degree program(s) has met the legal standards established by the board.
Approved Program-an undergraduate and/or graduate nursing education degree program(s) approved by the board.
Board- the Louisiana State Board of Nursing.
Clinical Facility, Major-a clinical facility utilized to provide more than half of the clinical experiences to more than half of the students enrolled in the undergraduate and/or graduate nursing education degree program(s).
Cohort-students in a group admitted simultaneously with the same expected graduation date.
Competency-an expected level of performance that results from an integration of knowledge, skills, abilities, and judgment. Knowledge encompasses the scope of practice, standards of practice, standards of professional performance, content from science and the humanities, practical experience and personal capabilities. Skills include psychomotor, communication, interpersonal, and diagnostic skills. Ability is the capacity to act effectively and requires listening, integrity, self-knowledge of strengths and weaknesses, positive self-regard, emotional intelligence, and openness to feedback. Judgment includes critical thinking, problem solving, ethical reasoning, and decision-making.
Cooperating A gency-Repealed.
Course-a distinct unit of instruction which has been organized for presentation with a specific time frame. This includes all related learning experiences deemed necessary by the faculty to meet the stated outcomes.
Curriculum-the planned studies and learning activities designed to lead to graduation and eligibility for registered nurse licensure and/or advanced practice registered nurse licensure.
Distance Education-instruction offered by any means where the student and faculty are in separate physical locations. Teaching methods may be synchronous or asynchronous and shall facilitate and evaluate learning in compliance with Board of Nursing approval status/regulations.
Distance Education Technology-the methods and technical support used to teach undergraduate and graduate students who may be physically distant from the faculty.
Faculty-
1. Chief Nurse Administrator-the registered nurse with a graduate degree in nursing with the authority and responsibility for the administration of the undergraduate and/or graduate nurse education degree program(s) and implementation of the curriculum. This title is used regardless of the person's official title in the parent institution.
2. Nurse Faculty-a doctorate or master's in nursing prepared registered nurse and/or advanced practice registered nurse with academic preparation and experience. Nurse faculty are underwritten contractual agreement with a parent institution for administration, teaching, research, service, or clinical education of students in programs preparing candidates for registered nurse and/or advanced practice registered nurse licensure.
3. Support Faculty-an individual with academic preparations and experience in their respective professional discipline that provides services or teaches support courses.
4. Graduate Assistant-a registered nurse who serves in a support role at a university while completing graduate or post-graduate education. Graduate assistants are not faculty exceptions.
5. Preceptor (Undergraduate)-a baccalaureate prepared registered nurse with one year experience, who is employed in a clinical setting and serves as a role model, resource person, and clinical educator to enhance the learning experiences of a nursing student.
6. Preceptor (Graduate)-an advanced practice registered nurse, physician, or dentist, who provides guidance, serves as a role model, resource person, and clinical educator to enhance the learning experiences of an advanced practice nursing student.
7. Joint Appointment-a registered nurse employed by a clinical agency who holds at least the minimum qualifications of a nurse faculty member and who has predetermined responsibilities with both the educational institution and the clinical agency in the same time period. There shall be clearly defined schedules and financial agreements for both the educational program and the clinical agency.
Goals-general aims of the program that are consistent with the institutional and program missions.
Graduation Rate-percentage of a cohort of students who complete their program within 150 percent of the published time for the program.
Major Change in Curriculum-Repealed.
1. - 4. Repealed.
Major/Substantive Change in Approved Nursing Education Degree Program-a change in the current established approved nursing education degree program. Any one of the following shall be deemed to constitute a major/substantive change:
1. alteration, other than editorial, in program's mission/philosophy and outcomes (refer to §3511);
2. in legal status of the program (refer to §3513);
3. change in status with regulatory, governmental or institutional accreditation (refer to §3513);
4. reduction in resources impacting the sustainability of the undergraduate and/or graduate nurse education degree program(s) (refer to §3519);
5. reduction in faculty size exceeding 25 percent and in faculty exceptions exceeding 20 percent of full-time faculty employed in accordance with §3515;
6. addition or deletion of clinical role/population preparing advance practice registered nurses in an approved graduate nursing education degree program in accordance with §3507;
7. implementation of innovative strategies in undergraduate and/or graduate nursing education degree program(s) with a focus to include, but not limited to student enrollment, retention, and graduation rates; test previous models of nursing education and develop and test new models of nursing education;
8. addition or deletion of more than 10 percent of the semester credit hours from the undergraduate and/or graduate nurse education degree program(s) of studies;
9. in student enrollment, achievement completion rates, graduation rates, pass rates for the National Council licensure examination-registered nurse and certification; and/or
10. addition or deletion of a major clinical facility providing students' clinical experiences (refer to §3529).
Mission Statement-a statement of purpose defining the unique nature and scope of the parent institution or the nursing education degree program.
Nursing Education Degree Program-a program whose purpose is to prepare graduates eligible to apply to write the registered nurse licensing examination and/or certification and licensure as an advanced practice registered nurse.
1.Associate Degree- a program leading to an associate degree in nursing conducted by an educational unit that is an integral part of a community college, college or university.
2. Baccalaureate-a program leading to a bachelor's degree in nursing conducted by an educational unit that is an integral part of a college or university.
3.Diploma- a program leading to a diploma in nursing conducted by an educational unit that is an integral part of a hospital.
4. Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN)-a graduate nursing education degree program that prepares an individual for certification and licensure in the roles of certified nurse midwives (CNM), certified registered nurse anesthetists (CRNA), clinical nurse specialists (CNS), and nurse practitioners (NP) and awards masters degree, practice doctorate degree or post-masters certificate.
5. Post-Masters Certificate-a post-masters or postdoctoral nursing education program of study that awards a certificate of completion in the roles of certified nurse midwives (CNM), certified registered nurse anesthetists (CRNA), clinical nurse specialists (CNS), and nurse practitioners (NP).
6. Post-Graduate Residency-a program that provides education and support necessary to develop the judgment, skill and knowledge for a successful transition from an undergraduate or graduate nursing education degree program into an entry level generalist or an advanced practice registered nurse professional role.
7. Post-Graduate Fellowship-an opportunity given to a professional registered or advanced practice registered nurse to build upon current practice through extension of knowledge, professional development, and leadership in clinical and research areas of interest.
8. Practice Doctorate Degree-a program conducted by an educational unit, department, division, college or school that is an integral part of a college or university, leading to a doctorate degree, which prepares experts in one of three practice arenas: health care, leadership, or teaching. In addition to preparing the experts in direct clinical practice, the program shall confer proficiency in the following areas:
a. leadership;
b. health care systems;
c. evidence-based practice and research utilization;
d. advocacy/policy and clinical teaching with patients, students, families, communities and professional colleagues.
Objectives-Repealed.
Outcomes-quantitative or qualitative student, faculty or program measures of achievement.
Parent Institution-the organization or agency responsible for the administration and operation of the undergraduate and graduate nurse education degree programs.
Pass Rate (Certification)-the percentage of graduates from a cohort of an advanced practice registered nurse education degree program successfully completing the certification examination on first attempt in a calendar year.
Pass Rate (RN Licensure)-the percentage of students from a cohort taking the National Council licensure examination-registered nurse (NCLEX-RN) and passing the test on the first attempt in a calendar year.
Philosophy- a statement which includes and identifies the beliefs accepted by the faculty and the parent institution related to nursing education.
Preceptorship Experience-an individualized learning experience in which an undergraduate and/or graduate nursing student participates in clinical nursing practice while assigned to a preceptor.
Program Head-Repealed.
Program Length-the published amount of time to complete the undergraduate and graduate nurse education degree programs in a part-time or full-time enrollment status.
Recommendation-specific statement based upon program assessment as to the suggested course of action put forth by the Board of Nursing that should be implemented for compliance.
Requirement-a specific statement based upon program assessment as to the required course of action put forth by the Board of Nursing that shall be implemented for compliance.
Shall-denotes mandatory compliance in contrast to should or may which reflect possible variation.
Should- a term used to denote a suggested method of meeting a requirement.
Simulation-activities in classroom or clinical settings that mimic the reality of a clinical environment and are designed to demonstrate procedures, decision-making and critical thinking through techniques such as role-playing and the use of devices such as interactive videos or mannequins. A simulation may be very detailed and closely simulate reality, or it can be a grouping of components that are combined to provide some semblance of reality.
Standard- a criterion by which performance is measured.
Student Nurse-an individual who is enrolled in an approved undergraduate or graduate nurse education degree program preparing for licensure as a registered nurse and/or preparing any licensed registered nurse for APRN licensure.
Survey-the collection of information by the board for its review in granting, continuing or denying approval of a nursing education degree program.
Systematic Plan for Evaluation-a written plan for systematic review and evaluation of an undergraduate and/or graduate nurse education degree program(s) used for continuous program improvement; involves the process of determining whether the various parts and the entire program are achieving the mission/philosophy, goals and outcomes.
Under the Guidance of an Approved Preceptor-guidance by a licensed APRN, physician, dentist, or person approved by the board within the same or related practice role, population or specialty.
Year-a period of time consisting of 365 days or 366 in leap year, in a 12-month period.
1. Calendar Year-beginning on January 1 and ending on December 31.
La. Admin. Code tit. 46, § XLVII-3503