SECTION I
DEFINITION OF TERMS
For the purpose of this Chapter, the following definitions
apply:
1. BOARD - defers to the
Arkansas State Board of Nursing.
2.
SHALL, WILL - indicates a requirement.
3. SHOULD - indicates a
recommendation.
4. MAY - indicates
permission.
5. CHAIRMAN OF
PRACTICAL NURSING PROGRAM - the chairman of the program of practical nursing is
the person, regardless of title, in charge of the educational unit in
nursing.
6. PROGRAM -v refers to a
school, division, or department of nursing offering a curriculum in practical
nursing.
7. ORGANIZATION - refers
to the administrative framework within which the program exists.
8. SPONSORING INSTITUTION - is the
organization responsible for the administration and continuing operation of the
program.
9. CLINICAL FACILITY -
organization outside the sponsoring institution which provides opportunities
for clinical laboratory experiences.
10. PURPOSE - purpose of the program of
practical nursing is the education of its students.
11. PHILOSOPHY - identifies and includes the
beliefs accepted by the faculty about education and nursing.
12. CURRICULUM - refers to the total group of
courses including related clinical laboratories or other organized
experiences.
13. COURSE - means a
unit of the total curriculum.
14.
AGREEMENTS and/or CONTRACTS - the Board considers any arrangements for
observation and/or practice under one of the following types of experience:
a. OBSERVATION - one in which the student
spends two or less weeks in a clinical facility under planned
supervision.
b. CLINICAL EXPERIENCE
- one in which an agency cooperates with the practical nurse program to provide
clinical laboratory facilities and cooperates in the instruction and
Supervision for student learning.
15. APPROVED _ refers to a program which has
met the requirements of the Arkansas State Board of Nursing.
SECTION II
APPROVAL
A.
PURPOSES
1. To insure safe practice of nursing by
setting minimum requirements for the conduct and approval of programs that
prepare practical nurses.
2. To
assure graduates of their eligibility for admission to the licensing
examination for practical nurses in Arkansas.
3. To evaluate programs of practical nursing
in relation to their stated philosophy and objectives within a sound
educational framework.
4. To
encourage within each program self-evaluation for the development and
improvement of its curriculum in nursing education.
5. To aid in the development and maintenance
of cooperative relationships with licensing agencies of other states.
B.
TYPES
1.
INITIAL APPROVAL
a. Any institution wishing to establish a
program of practical nursing shall make written request to the Board. One or
more members or representatives of the Board shall study the proposed program,
survey the facilities, and report findings to the Board.
b. The program will receive Initial Approval
from the Board upon satisfactory evidence of ability to establish and maintain
a program. Students may be admitted only after Initial Approval is
given.
c. Such programs must show
proof of merit for Full Approval. A minimum of six months shall be
required.
2.
FULL
APPROVAL
a. The program which has met
the requirements as established by the Board is granted Full
Approval.
b. Any program to which
students are not assigned during a twelve-month period shall automatically
forfeit approval. Should the institution again desire to admit students,
application shall be made to the Board.
c. Any program not assigning students to a
clinical facility for twelve months shall renegotiate the contract.
3.
CONDITIONAL
APPROVAL
This approval may be accorded to any program previously having
Initial or Full Approval if conditions within the program are found to be
unsatisfactory. Recommendations for improvement shall be met within allotted
time set by the Board to avoid termination.
4.
TERMINATION OF APPROVAL
The Board may withdraw any type of approval from any program if
survey visits/reports identify continuing deficiencies within the allotted
time.
SECTION
III
PHILOSOPHY AND OBJECTIVES
A. The philosophy and objectives of the
practical nursing program shall be consistent with the overall philosophy and
objectives of the sponsoring institution of which the nursing program is a
part.
B. The philosophy and
education objectives of the program shall be formulated and adopted by the
practical nursing faculty.
C.
Philosophy and objectives shall serve as a guide for the development, conduct,
and evaluation of the nursing curriculum.
SECTION IV
ADMINISTRATION AND
ORGANIZATION
A.
ADMINISTRATION
1. Nursing
programs shall be established in institutions or agencies approved by
appropriate bodies.
2. Programs may
be public or private.
a. Public education
programs are administered through the Board of Education and/or other
educational institutions and receive financial assistance from local, state and
federal funds.
b. Private programs
are administered and financed by nonpublic hospitals or other private
educational institutions.
B.
ORGANIZATION
The program of practical nursing should be an integral part of
the structure and organization of the sponsoring institution.
1.
PROGRAM
Functional relationships between the practical nursing program
and overall administration shall be clearly defined on an organizational chart
and reflected in job descriptions.
2.
CHAIRMAN OF PROGRAM
All schools of practical nursing shall have a chairman who shall
be a registered professional nurse.
3.
FINANCES
There shall be evidence that there is a stable source of funds
allocated and budgeted for the effective operation of the program.
SECTION V
RESOURCES, FACILITIES, AND SERVICES
A.
CLINICAL FACILITIES
Clinical facilities providing clinical laboratory experiences to
meet the stated educational objectives of the practical nursing program must
have:
1. A stable and adequate staff
of professional and practical nurses and auxiliary personnel to insure safe
care of patients.
2. A registered
nurse in charge at all times to direct and supervise the practical nurses and
auxiliary personnel.
3. A
well-planned inservice program for professional nurses, practical nurses and
auxiliary personnel.
4. Job
descriptions for all personnel, prepared and used for assignment
purposes.
5. Adequate number and
variety of patients for clinical experiences in each clinical
service.
6. Available resources for
education, such as conference area, library and resource materials.
B.
CONTRACTS
The sponsoring institution shall establish formal relationships
with clinical facilities.
1.
Sponsoring institutions shall enter into a written agreement with the clinical
facility with respect to the objectives and plans of the program. The plan must
guarantee supervision of the student practical nurse by a registered nurse on
all tours of duty. Approval of these agreements must be secured from the Board
before clinical experience is begun. A copy of the current agreement shall be
signed by the chairman of the nursing program, director of nursing service, and
the administrator of the clinical facility, and be on file in the school and
the clinical facility.
2.
Relationships shall be entered into after thorough study and joint
planning.
3. The clinical facility
shall release the student from the clinical laboratory area for observational
experiences as a part of the planned learning experience.
C.
HEALTH CARE FACILITIES
1.
HOSPITALS
All hospitals in which student practical nurses receive their
clinical experience shall:
a. Be
approved by the Joint Commission on Accreditation or other appropriate
agency.
b. Have a combined daily
average of not less than twenty-five [25) patients.
c. Provide major clinical laboratory area for
any of the following:
(1) Adult patients with
medical and surgical conditions.
(2) Mothers and infants.
(3) Child care.
2.
LONG TERM CARE
FACILITIES
Long term care facilities must be approved by the Office of Long
Term Care or other appropriate bodies.
3.
AMBULATORY CARE FACILITIES
a. Contract not necessary for observational
experience.
b. Contract necessary
for clinical experience.
D.
EDUCATIONAL FACILITIES
Facilities necessary for educational programs are:
1. Library with current books and
periodicals; classrooms; laboratories with teaching materials; and office space
for instructors and clerical help adequate to meet the needs of the
program.
2. Adequate space for
equipment, supplies, records, practice laboratories, lounge and storage
areas.
E.
INFORMATION
Information about the practical nursing program shall be provided
by the sponsoring institution.
SECTION VI
PERSONNEL
A.
ADMINISTRATIVE
The sponsoring institution shall provide general administrative
leadership and a qualified practical nursing faculty.
B. The faculty of the program in practical
nurse education shall be adequate in number and in qualifications to conduct
the nursing curriculum.
1. The chairman
should have a minimum of a baccalaureate degree, a broad educational background
and nursing experience which prepares for leadership, and shall be currently
licensed as a registered nurse in Arkansas.
2. Major responsibility of the chairman shall
be the administration of the nursing program with the teaching load adjusted
accordingly.
3. The instructor
should have a nursing experience background and shall be currently licensed as
a registered nurse in Arkansas.
4.
Major responsibility of the instructor shall be teaching and supervising
students as defined by the job description.
5. A licensed practical nurse may serve as an
assistant clinical instructor under the supervision of the registered nurse
instructor. The assistant instructor shall hold a current license as a licensed
practical nurse in the State of Arkansas.
6. Clerical services shall be provided to
meet the needs of the program.
C.
FACULTY
1. The faculty shall set admission standards
and the requirements for graduation in accordance with the policies of the
Arkansas State Board of Nursing.
2.
The faculty shall provide learning experiences for progression of students
which are consistent with the objectives of the program.
3. The faculty shall be responsible for the
planning and implementation of all phases of the program.
4. The faculty shall be responsible for
nursing education, including classroom teaching, and teaching and supervising
in the clinical laboratory area.
D.
FACULTY ORGANIZATION
This organization shall have written policies and rules of
procedure established by the faculty and in harmony with the philosophy and
objectives of the program. All members of the faculty shall participate in the
activities of the organization.
SECTION VII
STUDENTS
A.
SELECTION OF STUDENTS
1. Policies and procedures used by the
faculty in the selection of students for admission to the practical nursing
program should consider scholastic and nursing aptitude, academic achievement,
physical and emotional health.
2.
High school graduation shall be an admission requirement. GED or American
School are acceptable equivalencies.
B.
SCHOOL BULLETIN
1. The publication should be current and
dated.
2. The publication should
include:
a. The philosophy and objectives of
the program.
b. The approval status
as granted by the Arkansas State Board of Nursing.
c. The curriculum plan.
d. The cost to student.
e. The scholarship and loan funds.
f. The admission requirements.
g. Entrance dates of classes.
h. Other information as recommended by the
faculty.
C.
ADVANCED STANDING
Advanced standing may be granted for previous educational
experience by granting credit for specific courses through testing, i.e.,
teacher-made final examinations, practical examinations, achievement
tests.
D.
TRANSFER OF
STUDENTS
Transfer students may be accepted. The school shall evaluate
transcript of work completed for transfer of specific course credits.
SECTION VIII
RECORDS AND REPORTS
A.
RECORDS
A record system essential to the operation of the program shall
be maintained. Records should be safely stored to prevent loss by destruction
and unauthorized use.
1. Record forms
specifically for the school of nursing shall be selected by the practical
nursing faculty and shall include:
a. Student
records.
b. Faculty
Records.
c. General records,
including minutes of faculty meetings, reports to controlling board, follow-up
studies of graduates, etc.
2.
CUSTODY OF RECORDS
When a school closes, the sponsoring institution receiving the
financial support for the school shall be responsible for the safekeeping of
the student records.
If the sponsoring institution also closes, legal advice should be
obtained concerning the permanent safekeeping of the records of the
program.
The Arkansas State Board of Nursing shall be informed concerning
the placement of these records.
B.
RECORDS REQUIRED TO BE FILED IN THE
BOARD OFFICE.
1.
FACULTY
RECORDS
Each newly appointed faculty member shall file a record of
preparation and experience on forms provided by the Board. The Board should be
informed of additional preparation acquired by each faculty member after the
initial record is submitted.
2.
QUARTERLY REPORTS
Programs shall submit to the Board a quarterly report indicating
admissions, graduations and withdrawals of students within the quarter. The
report shall also indicate any changes in the faculty. Reports are due in the
Board office within the month following each calendar quarter.
3.
CONTRACTS
Clinical facilities shall enter into a written agreement with the
sponsoring institution with respect to the objectives and plans of the program.
A copy of the current agreement shall be signed by the chairman of the nursing
program, director of nursing service, and the administrator of the clinical
facility.
4.
STUDENT
FINAL RECORDS
Student final records, which are supplied by the Board, shall be
submitted for all graduates who qualify to write the examination in Arkansas as
soon as they have completed the curriculum. The student final record shall
include statements of hours of instruction and clinical practice per course
satisfactorily completed, bear the impression of the school seal, and the
signature of the chairman of the program.
Student final records and applications shall not be notarized
prior to the date of completion of the program and must be submitted to the
Board office not later than thirty (30) days before the date of the licensing
examination.
SECTION IX
CURRICULUM
CURRICULUM
The entire curriculum should be so designed that qualified
individuals are prepared to meet community nursing needs and to perform those
functions which are generally recognized as being within the scope of practical
nursing and where skill of registered nurses is not required. The purpose of
the curriculum is to guide administrative and instructional staff in achieving
the objectives of the school.
A.
CURRICULUM PLAN
The purpose of the curriculum is to provide a plan of action. It
offers the teacher direction as well as being a guide to persons responsible
for selection of students, teachers, and educational resources.
1. The nursing curriculum shall be organized
to provide selected and supervised learning experiences to help the student
acquire the knowledge, skills and attitudes essential for beginning practice as
a practical nurse.
2. The
curriculum shall adhere to and implement the stated philosophy and
objectives.
3. The curriculum shall
follow an organized pattern presenting pertinent knowledge, skills, and
attitudes for successive learning experiences appropriate to the student's
stage of advancement.
4. The
curriculum plan shall include:
a. A rotation
plan showing placement of courses and experience for the entire
program.
b. A minimum of 560 hours
of instruction.
c. The relationship
of theory and clinical laboratory experience which implies concurrent teaching
controlled and supervised by the faculty in the educational unit.
d. Course outlines, including learning
experiences to be used in teaching and the planning for the correlation of the
theory and clinical practice, shall be readily available to all faculty and
clinical facilities.
B.
PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS
Programs in practical nursing shall comply with the following
minimum requirements:
1.
LENGTH
OF PROGRAM - The practical nurse program shall be a minimum of 560
theory hours and 768 clinical hours. Vacation and holidays shall be consistent
with the policies of the sponsoring institution.
2.
SICK LEAVE - Time off allowed
shall be determined by the program.
3.
EVENING AND NIGHT - After
completion of the first sixteen (16) weeks, students may have evening or night
experience at the discretion of the practical nurse faculty.
4.
LEARNING EXPERIENCES -
Clinical experiences shall consist of a minimum of 768 hours of supervised
practice.
Total learning experiences shall consist of not more than 40
hours nor less than 30 hours per week. Concurrent instruction of theory and
practice is recommended. The faculty shall be responsible for all the learning
experiences of the student and for the adequate supervision of practice
throughout the entire curriculum. Patient census must be sufficient in each
area to permit meaningful assignment to each student.
C.
CURRICULUM
Differing curricula patterns may be developed, but the principle
of planning a progressive sequence of learning opportunities for students of
practical nursing will be common to all. Any program may choose to integrate a
specific course throughout the curriculum; however, course outlines must show
how all areas of content are included.
Broad areas of content are suggested which may be adapted to the
individual programs. The following course content may be combined in other ways
or under other titles.
|
INSTRUCTION AND EXPERIENCE |
Theory Hours |
Laboratory Practice Hours |
|
VOCATIONAL, LEGAL AND ETHICAL
CONCEPTS |
16 |
|
This includes personal development; ethical, legal and
social responsibilities with the patient, family and co-workers; communication
skills; vocational responsibilities of the practical nurse; nursing
organizations; and local, state and national health resources. |
|
BODY STRUCTURE AND FUNCTION |
64 |
|
This includes anatomy and physiology of the human body in
all its systems-a foundation for understanding the principles of maintaining
positive health, as well as understanding the deviations from the
normal. |
|
NURSING OF THE GERIATRIC PATIENT |
16 |
48 |
|
This includes the normal aging process, characteristics
of aging, special problems associated with aging, and experience in the care of
the aging patient. |
|
NUTRITION IN HEALTH AND ILLNESS |
32 |
|
This course includes the principles of good nutrition for
all age groups and the principles of modifications for therapeutic purposes.
Nutrition concepts are to be integrated throughout the entire
curriculum. |
|
BASIC NURSING PRINCIPLES AND
SKILLS |
160 |
96 |
|
This includes the fundamental principles, skills and
attitudes needed to give nursing care and prevent spread of disease; common
procedures used in the care of the sick and the development of the ability to
adapt them to various situations with skill, safety, and comfort for the
patient; first aid and CPR; and the development of an awareness of
responsibility to make, report and record observations. |
|
NURSING OF ADULT PATIENTS WITH MEDICAL AND SURGICAL
CONDITIONS |
128 |
504 |
|
This includes information about common conditions of
illness and nursing care of patients in acute, subacute or convalescent stages
of illness, of both short and long term duration, including nutrition and
administration of drugs. |
|
NURSING OF CHILDREN |
32 |
48 |
|
This includes the principles of growth and development;
nursing the infant through adolescence; the behavior of well and sick children.
Observation and experience may be found in the nursery, physicians' offices,
well-child conferences and other agencies. |
|
NURSING OF MOTHERS AND INFANTS |
32 |
72 |
|
This includes the principles and practices of nursing
care during prenatal, labor, delivery, post partum and neonatal
periods. |
|
MENTAL HEALTH AND CARE OF MENTALLY
ILL |
16 |
|
Includes an introduction of common conditions of mental
illness, prevention of such conditions, and the care of patients suffering from
abnormal mental and emotional responses. (Mental hygiene aspects should be
integrated throughout the course.) |
|
PHARMACOLOGY |
64 |
|
This includes a brief history of drugs, methods of
administration, drugs commonly used in the treatment of illness, and such
information as usual dosages, expected actions, side effects,
contraindications, and points of observation following the administration of
drugs. Formulas for conversion of measures from the apothecary to the metric
system, as well as formulas for calculations of dosages for infants and
children are included. |
|
TOTALS |
560 HOURS THEORY |
768 HOURS PRACTICE |
SECTION
X
EVALUATION
A. The
program required will be affected by social and technological changes;
therefore, periodic review of curriculum is indicated to determine adequacy and
possible need for revision.
1. The study,
development, implementation and evaluation of the nursing curriculum shall be
the responsibility of the practical nursing faculty.
2. Cooperative planning, problem solving and
evaluation by the members of the nursing faculty and the personnel of the
clinical facilities are essential for the effective conduct of the
program.
B. The
curriculum shall be continuously evaluated.
1.
The degree to which the program accomplishes its objective shall be determined
by effective and continuous evaluation of instructional procedures, learning
experiences, student progress, and nursing competence of the
graduates.
2. There shall be
provision for student participation in the evaluation of his/her own learning
experience.
3. Appropriate records
shall be maintained to assist in the evaluation of the educational
program.
4. There should be
provisions for student participation in assessing, planning, implementing and
evaluating nursing care.
SECTION XI
PROGRAM VARIATION
Flexibility and experimentation in the development,
implementation, and evaluation of programs is encouraged. Major curriculum
changes and minimum requirement variations will be considered and must be
approved by the Arkansas State Board of Nursing.
