Illinois Administrative Code
Title 68 - PROFESSIONS AND OCCUPATIONS
Part 1300 - NURSE PRACTICE ACT
Subpart B - LICENSED PRACTICAL NURSE
Section 1300.230 - Approval of Programs
Universal Citation: 68 IL Admin Code ยง 1300.230
Current through Register Vol. 48, No. 38, September 20, 2024
a) Program Approval
Institutions desiring to establish a new nursing program that would lead to meeting requirements for licensure, change the level of educational preparation of the program, or establish an extension of an existing program shall:
1) Submit a
letter of intent to the Division.
2) Provide a feasibility study to the
Division, on forms provided by the Division, that includes, at least,
documentation of:
A) Need for the program in
the community;
B) Need for
graduates of the proposed program;
C) Availability of students;
D) Impact on existing nursing programs in a
50 mile radius of the proposed program;
E) Potential for qualified faculty, including
the curriculum vitae of any potential faculty members;
F) Adequacy of clinical practicum and
academic resources;
G) Financial
commitment to support the initial and continuing program;
H) Community support of the scope and
philosophy of the program;
I)
Authorization by the appropriate education agency of the State of Illinois;
and
J) A timetable for development
of the program and the intended date of the first class beginning.
3) Identify a qualified nurse
administrator with a minimum of a master's degree in nursing and with
experience as a nurse educator and provide a curriculum vitae of the proposed
nurse administrator.
4) Submit a
curriculum proposal including:
A) Program
philosophy and objectives;
B) A
plan of organization that is logical and internally consistent;
C) Proposed plans of study, including
requisite and elective courses with rationale;
D) Course outlines or syllabi for all nursing
courses;
E) Student
handbook;
F) Faculty
qualifications;
G) Instructional
approaches to be employed;
H)
Evaluation plans for progress, faculty and students;
I) Facilities and utilization plan;
and
J) Budget plan.
5) Coordinate with the Division
and/or the DPR Nursing Coordinator for a site visit to be conducted prior to
program approval.
b) Continued Program Approval
1) Nursing
education programs shall submit annual evaluation reports to the Division on
forms provided by the Division. These reports shall contain information
regarding curriculum, faculty and students and other information deemed
appropriate by the Division.
2)
Full routine site visits may be conducted by the Division for periodic
evaluation. The visits will be utilized to determine compliance with the Act.
Unannounced site visits may be conducted when the Division obtains evidence
that would indicate the program is not in compliance with the Act or this
Part.
3) A pass rate of graduates
on the National Council Licensing Examination (NCLEX) shall be included in the
annual evaluation of nursing education programs.
A) A pass rate of 75% of first time examinees
will be required for a school to remain in good standing.
B) A nursing education program having an
annual pass rate of less than 75% of first time examinees for one year will
receive a written warning of noncompliance from the Division.
C) A nursing education program having an
annual pass rate of less than 75% of first time examinees for 2 consecutive
years will receive a site visit for evaluation and recommendation by the
Division and will be placed on probation for program revision in accordance
with 68 Ill. Adm. Code 1110.
D) The
nursing education program will have 2 years to demonstrate evidence of
implementing strategies to correct deficiencies and bring the pass rate in line
with the 75% criteria.
E) If, 2
years after implementing the strategies to correct deficiencies in the program,
the annual pass rate is less than 75%, the program will be reevaluated. The
program will be allowed to continue to operate on a probationary status or will
be disapproved and removed from the list of Illinois approved nursing programs
in accordance with 68 Ill. Adm. Code 1110.
c) Major Curricular Revision
Nursing education programs desiring to make a major curricular revision, i.e., addition or deletion of content, a substantive change in philosophy or conceptual framework, or length of program, shall:
1) Submit a letter of intent to
the Division; and
2) Submit a copy
of the proposed changes and new material to the Division, at least one term
prior to implementation, for Board recommendation and Division approval in
accordance with the standards set forth in subsection (f).
d) Minor Curricular Revisions
Nursing education programs desiring to make curricular revisions involving reorganization of current course content but not constituting a major curriculum revision shall submit the proposed changes to the Division in their annual report.
e) Organization and Administration
1) An institution responsible for conducting
a nursing education program shall be authorized by the appropriate agency of
the State of Illinois (e.g., Illinois Board of Higher Education, Illinois
Community College Board);
2) The
relationship of the nursing education program to other units within the
sponsoring institution shall be clearly delineated with organizational charts
on file with the Division;
3)
Nursing education programs shall have clearly defined lines of authority,
responsibility and communication;
4) Student input into determination of
academic policies and procedures, curriculum planning and evaluation of faculty
effectiveness shall be assured as evidenced by information such as student
membership on policy and evaluation committees, policy statements and
evaluation procedures;
5) Nursing
education program policies and procedures shall be in written form, congruent
with those of the sponsoring institution, and reviewed by members of the
program on a regular schedule;
6)
The philosophy, purpose and objectives of the nursing education program shall
be stated in writing and shall be consistent with the sponsoring institution
and current social, nursing and educational trends and the Act.
f) Curriculum and Instruction
1) The curriculum shall be based upon the
stated program purpose, philosophy and outcomes;
2) Levels of progression in relation to the
stated program outcomes shall be established;
3) Coordinated clinical and theoretical
learning experiences shall be consistent with the program outcomes;
4) Curricular content shall reflect
contemporary nursing practice encompassing major health needs of all age
groups;
5) The entire curriculum
shall be based on sound nursing, education and instructional
principles;
6) The curriculum shall
be evaluated by faculty with student input, according to a stated
plan;
7) The program shall be
approved by the appropriate educational agency;
8) Curriculum for the practical nursing
programs shall:
A) Include, at a minimum,
basic concepts of anatomy, physiology, chemistry, microbiology, physics,
communications, growth and development, interpersonal relationships,
psychology, sociology, cultural diversity, pharmacology (pharmacology course
standards are set forth in Section
1300.240),
nutrition and diet therapy and vocational, legal and ethical aspects of
nursing;
B) Not preclude a flexible
curriculum that would provide appropriate integration of the nursing subject
areas;
C) Provide basic theoretical
and clinical instruction in all areas of nursing practice in the promotion,
prevention, restoration and maintenance of health in individuals and groups
across the life span and in a variety of clinical settings;
D) Incorporate the nursing process as an
integral part of the curriculum;
E)
Prepare the student to assume entry level practical nursing positions to assist
clients with normal and common health problems through use of basic nursing
skills;
F) Be at least one academic
year in length; and
G) If a
military program, consist of a minimum of 36 to 40 weeks of theory and clinical
instruction incorporating the curriculum outlined in subsection
(f)(8)(A).
g) Nursing Administrator and Faculty
1) The
institution responsible for conducting the nursing program and the nurse
administrator of the nursing education program shall be responsible for
ensuring that the individual faculty members are academically and
professionally qualified.
2)
Nursing education programs shall be administered by the nurse administrator of
the nursing education program.
3)
The nurse administrator and faculty of a nursing education program shall be
currently licensed as registered professional nurses in Illinois.
4) The nurse administrator of a nursing
education program shall have at least:
A) 2
years' experience in clinical nursing practice;
B) 2 years' experience as a nurse educator;
and
C) A master's degree or higher
with a major in nursing.
5) Nurse faculty of a practical nursing
program shall have:
A) At least 2 years'
experience in clinical nursing practice; and
B) A baccalaureate degree or higher with a
major in nursing.
6) The
requirements of subsections (g)(4) and (5) shall not affect incumbents as of
the original date these requirements were adopted, January 14, 1980.
7) Nurse administrators of nursing education
programs shall be responsible for:
A)
Administration of the nursing education program;
B) Liaison with other units of the sponsoring
institution;
C) Preparation and
administration of the budget;
D)
Facilitation of faculty development and performance review;
E) Facilitation and coordination of
activities related to academic policies, personnel policies, curriculum,
resource facilities and services and program evaluation; and
F) Notification to the Division of program
changes.
8) Faculty
shall be responsible for:
A) Development,
implementation and evaluation of the purpose, philosophy and objectives of the
nursing education program;
B)
Design, implementation and evaluation of curriculum for the nursing education
program;
C) Participation in
academic advising of students;
D)
Development and evaluation of student policies; and
E) Evaluation of student performance in
meeting the objectives of the program.
9) Faculty shall participate in:
A) Selection, promotion and tenure
activities;
B) Academic activities
of the institution;
C) Professional
and health related community activities;
D) Self-development activities for
professional and personal growth;
E) Research and other scholarly activities
for which qualified; and
F)
Activities that maintain educational and clinical expertise in areas of
teaching.
10) Clinical
experience must be under direct supervision of qualified faculty as set forth
in this subsection (g) or with a registered nurse preceptor. The nurse
preceptor shall be approved by the parent institution and shall work under the
direction of a nurse faculty member.
11) The ratio of students to faculty in the
clinical area shall be appropriate to the clinical learning experience:
A) When under direct supervision of the
faculty, the ratio shall not exceed 10 to 1.
B) When a registered nurse preceptor is used,
the ratio of students to faculty member shall not exceed 12 to 1.
h) Financial Support, Facilities, Records
1) Adequate financial
support for the nursing education program, faculty and other necessary
personnel, equipment, supplies and services shall be in evidence in the program
budget.
2) The faculty of the
nursing education program and the staff of cooperating agencies used as sites
for additional theory and clinical experience shall work together for quality
of patient care.
3) Articles of
Affiliation
A) The nursing education program
shall have Articles of Affiliation between the nursing education program and
each clinical facility that define the rights and responsibilities of each
party, including agreements on the role and authority of the governing bodies
of both the clinical site and the nursing education program.
B) If portions of the required clinical or
theoretical curriculum are offered at different geographical sites or by
distance learning, the curriculum must be planned, supervised, administered and
evaluated in concert with appropriate faculty committees, department chairmen
and administrative officers of the parent school.
4) There shall be adequate facilities for the
nursing program for both academic and clinical experiences for
students.
5) There shall be access
to learning resource facilities, including library and multi-media technology,
that are reasonably sufficient for the curriculum and the number of students
enrolled in the nursing education programs.
6) Cooperating agencies shall be identified
to the Division and shall be suitable to meet the objectives of the
program.
7) Addition or deletion of
cooperating agencies shall be reported in writing to the Division on the
program annual report.
8) The
nursing program's policies and procedures shall not violate constitutional
rights and shall be written and available to faculty and students.
9) Permanent student records that summarize
admissions, credentials, grades and other records of performance shall be
maintained by the program.
i) Preceptors
A program of licensed professional nursing that uses the personnel of a clinical facility as preceptors to instruct the clinical experience must:
1) Require each
preceptor to have demonstrated competencies with patient populations to which
the student is assigned;
2) Require
each preceptor to be approved by the faculty of the program of
nursing;
3) Require the faculty of
the program to provide to each preceptor an orientation concerning the roles
and responsibilities of students, faculty and preceptors;
4) Require the faculty of the program to
develop written competencies/outcomes and provide a copy of these to each
preceptor before the preceptor begins instruction of the students;
5) Designate a member of the faculty to serve
as a liaison between the preceptor and each student who participates in the
clinical experience;
6) Require
that each preceptor be present in the clinical facility or at the location of
point of care and available to the students at all times when the student
provides nursing care or services to patients/clients;
7) Require that each preceptor have a current
registered professional nurse license in the state where the student is
practicing.
j) Denial of Approval of Nursing Program
If the Division, in the course of reviewing an application for approval of a nursing program, determines that an applicant program has failed to comply with the application criteria or procedures outlined in this Part, or receives information that indicates that the applicant program will not be able to comply with the conditions set forth in subsection (b), the Division may deny the application for approval.
k) Discontinuance of a Nursing Program
1) Prior to terminating a nursing education
program, the program shall:
A) Notify the
Division, in writing, of its intent to discontinue its program;
B) Continue to meet the requirements of the
Act and this Part until the official date of termination of the
program;
C) Notify the Division of
the date on which the last student will graduate and the program will
terminate; and
D) Assume
responsibility for assisting students to continue their education in the event
of closing of the school prior to the final student graduating.
2) Upon closure of the nursing
education program, the institution shall notify the Division, in writing, of
the location of student and graduate records storage.
l) Revocation of Program Approval
1) The following are grounds for disapproval
of a nursing education program:
A) A violation
of any provision of the Act;
B)
Fraud or dishonesty in applying for approval of a nursing education
program;
C) Failure to continue to
meet criteria of an approved nursing education program set forth in this
Section; or
D) Failure to comply
with recommendations made by the Division as a result of a site
visit.
2) Upon written
notification of the Division's proposed action, the nursing education program
may:
A) Submit a written response;
B) Request a hearing before the
Board.
m) Out-of-State Education Programs Seeking Student Nurse Clinical Placement in Illinois
1) Out-of-state nursing education
programs offering clinical experiences in Illinois are expected to maintain the
standards for approved nursing education programs set forth in this
Section.
2) Programs desiring to
seek approval for student nurse clinical placement in Illinois shall submit the
following documents:
A) Evidence of
approval/accreditation by the Board of Nursing or other appropriate approval
bodies in the state in which the institution is located.
B) A letter requesting approval to provide
the clinical offering that indicates the time-frame during which the clinical
experience will be conducted, the clinical agencies and the clinical units to
be utilized.
C) A course syllabus
for the clinical experiences to be offered that specifies the related
objectives of the offering.
D) A
copy of the executed contractual agreement between the academic institution and
the clinical facility.
E) A faculty
qualification and/or preceptor form for individuals providing instruction in
Illinois.
3) Faculty
A) The institution responsible for conducting
the nursing program and the administrator of the nursing education program
shall be responsible for ensuring that the individual faculty members are
academically and professionally qualified.
B) Nurse faculty of a practical nursing
program shall have:
i) At least 2 years'
experience in clinical nursing practice; and
ii) A baccalaureate degree or higher with a
major in nursing.
C) The
faculty shall be currently licensed as registered professional nurses in
Illinois.
D) Clinical experience
must be under direct supervision of qualified faculty as set forth in
subsection (g) or with a registered nurse preceptor. The nurse preceptor shall
be approved by the parent institution and shall work under the direction of a
nurse faculty member.
E) The ratio
of students to faculty in the clinical area shall be appropriate to the
clinical learning experience.
i) When under
direct supervision of the faculty, the ratio shall not exceed 10 to
1.
ii) When a registered nurse
preceptor is used, the ratio of students to faculty member shall not exceed 12
to 1.
4)
Approval for clinical offerings by out-of-state nursing programs shall be
approved for a period of 2 years. A program representative may request renewal
of the approval every 2 years. In order to renew, the program shall submit a
written report that provides updated and current data as required by this
subsection (m).
5) A written report
of current clinical offerings and current data shall be submitted to the
Division annually. Faculty qualification and preceptor forms shall be submitted
when instructors are added or changed.
6) Failure to comply with the requirements
set forth in this Part shall result in the immediate withdrawal of approval of
the clinical experience offering.
n) If the name of the program is changed or the institution in which the program is located or with which it is affiliated changes its name, the program shall notify the Division within 30 days after the name change. If the Division is not notified within the 30 days, the program's approval may be withdrawn.
o) The Division has determined that nationally accredited nurse programs meet the requirements set forth in this Section, except for those programs whose curriculums do not include a concurrent theory and clinical practice education component as required by Section 50-70 of the Act.
Disclaimer: These regulations may not be the most recent version. Illinois may have more current or accurate information. We make no warranties or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness, or adequacy of the information contained on this site or the information linked to on the state site. Please check official sources.
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google
Privacy Policy and
Terms of Service apply.
