(a) Curriculum. - (i) Overview. The curriculum of the program shall enable the student to develop the nursing knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary for the level, scope, and standards of competent nursing practice expected at the level of licensure or recognition. The program shall revise its curriculum to maintain a program that reflects advances in health care and its delivery.
- (ii) Principles. Based on nursing education, professional, and practice standards, the curriculum shall include:
- (A) Experiences that promote the development and subsequent demonstration of evidence-based clinical judgment, skill in clinical management, and the professional commitment to collaborate in continuously improving the quality and safety of the healthcare system for patients;
- (B) Evidence-based learning experiences and methods of instruction, including distance education methods if used, consistent with the written curriculum plan;
- (C) Didactic content and supervised clinical experience in the prevention of illness and the promotion, restoration, and maintenance of health in patients across the lifespan and from diverse cultural, ethnic, social, and economic backgrounds;
- (D) Written statements of specific, measureable, theoretical, and clinical outcomes/competencies for each course; and
- (E) Delivery of instruction consistent with the program curriculum plan, which enables students to meet the goals, competencies, and outcomes of the program.
- (iii) Clinical Experience.
- (A) The program shall provide clinical hours comparable to those provided by an approved program of equivalent size and program type or, in the case of no equivalent program, clinical hours scaled relative to an approved program.
- (B) A written contract or agreement shall be executed by the parent institution conducting the program and the cooperating clinical facility or agency. The contract shall be executed by the responsible individual(s) of each party, and shall set forth the responsibilities of each party.
- (C) Faculty supervised clinical practice shall include development of skills in direct patient care; making clinical judgments; care and management of both individuals and groups of patients across the lifespan; and delegation to, supervision of, and collaboration with as appropriate to level of education, other health care providers.
- (D) Measurement of students' competencies shall focus on the students' demonstration of care management and decision making skills when providing patient care in a variety of clinical situations and care settings.
- (iv) Faculty/Student Ratio.
- (A) The program shall consider the following factors in determining the faculty/student ratio in clinical settings, including: clinical site, level of student, type of clinical experience, contractual agreement with the agency, program, and curricular objectives and the faculty's teaching experience.
- (B) Faculty/student ratio shall be a maximum of 1:8 for clinical experiences.
- (C) When preceptors are used in a clinical setting, the preceptor/student ratio shall be 1:1. The faculty shall not supervise more than sixteen (16) preceptor/student pairs.
(b) Administrator Responsibilities. The administrator shall: - (i) Be responsible for the administration, planning, implementation, evaluation, and improvement of the program; and
- (ii) Dedicate appropriate time and resources to meet the needs of the program and the students, which should result in reduced teaching responsibilities.
(c) Administrator Qualifications. The administrator shall have education and experience necessary to direct the program preparing graduates for the safe practice of nursing. - (i) In associate degree and/or practical nursing programs, the administrator shall:
- (A) Have a minimum of a master's degree in nursing;
- (B) Hold an active, unencumbered Wyoming RN license;
- (C) Have at least five (5) years of experience practicing nursing; and
- (D) Experience in teaching and knowledge of learning principles for adult education, including nursing curriculum development, administration, and evaluation.
- (ii) In baccalaureate nursing programs, the administrator shall meet the qualifications in Section 4(c)(i) and have a doctoral degree in nursing or related field.
(d) Faculty and Preceptors. - (i) Principles.
- (A) The program shall employ sufficient qualified faculty, both in number and expertise, to meet the purpose, philosophy, and outcomes of the program. A minimum of 50% of the part-time faculty shall also hold a graduate degree with a major in nursing.
- (B) Preceptors may be used to enhance faculty-directed clinical learning experiences. Criteria for selecting preceptors shall be in writing.
- (ii) Faculty Qualifications. Nursing faculty shall hold an active, unencumbered Wyoming RN license and be experientially qualified. Faculty shall also meet the following educational requirements:
- (A) Full-time faculty:
- (I) Graduate degree in nursing education;
- (II) Graduate degree in nursing and successfully complete at least ten (10) clock hours of educational preparation in principles and methods of teaching, learning, and evaluation of performance outcomes within six (6) months of hire date; or
- (III) Obtain a graduate degree in nursing within five (5) years of hire date and successfully complete at least ten (10) clock hours of educational preparation in principles and methods of teaching, learning, and evaluation of performance outcomes within six (6) months of hire date. The administrator shall immediately notify the Board in writing of the hire of the non-graduate prepared faculty member along with a plan for compliance with the requirements.
- (B) Part-time faculty:
- (I) Minimum of a baccalaureate degree with a major in nursing; and
- (II) Successfully complete at least ten (10) clock hours of educational preparation in principles and methods of teaching, learning, and evaluation of performance outcomes within six (6) months of hire date.
- (iii) Preceptors Qualifications. Preceptors shall:
- (A) Hold an active, unencumbered nursing license in the jurisdiction where the clinical experience occurs; and
- (B) Demonstrate competencies related to the area of assigned clinical teaching responsibilities and will serve as role models and educators for students.
(e) Students. - (i) The program shall admit students based upon the number of faculty, available educational facilities, resources, and the availability of clinical learning experiences.
- (ii) The program shall hold students accountable for professional behavior, including honesty and integrity, while in their program of study. All policies relevant to applicants and students shall be readily available in writing.
- (iii) Students shall meet health standards and criminal background check requirements established by the program.
(f) Program Evaluation. - (i) Overview. The program shall implement a comprehensive, systematic plan for ongoing evaluation that is based on program outcomes and incorporates continuous improvement.
- (ii) Principles. The program evaluation shall include the methodology, frequency, assignment of responsibility, and evaluative criteria in the following areas:
- (A) Protection of patient safety. Including, but not limited to: tracking of medication errors, unusual/sentinel events, or training in QSEN competencies;
- (B) Student retention, attrition, and on-time program completion rates;
- (C) NCLEX pass rates which are at least 75% for one year for graduates taking the examination for the first time for pre-licensure programs;
- (D) Trend data/action related to NCLEX performance or certification exam;
- (E) Assessment of faculty performance;
- (F) Trend data/action planning related to employer and graduate satisfaction;
- (G) Program complaints/grievance review and resolution; and
- (H) Program improvement initiatives related to program outcomes.