Wyoming Administrative Code
Agency 054 - Nursing, Board of
Sub-Agency 0002 - General
Chapter 6 - STANDARDS FOR NURSING EDUCATION PROGRAMS
Section 6-9 - Process for Approval of New Programs

Universal Citation: WY Code of Rules 6-9

Current through September 21, 2024

(a) Step 1 - Submit new program proposal.

(i) Timeframe. At least nine (9) months prior to admitting students, the parent institution shall submit to the Board a statement of intent to establish a program and a proposal.

(ii) Statement of Intent. The statement of intent shall address:
(A) Rationale for the establishment of the program including documentation of the present and future need for the program in Wyoming;

(B) Employment opportunities for program graduates within the geographic region(s) of the proposed program; and

(C) Potential impact on other established programs in Wyoming which shall include:
(I) An analysis of the current usage of the potential clinical site(s) in the area; and

(II) A projection of how the addition of the program will impact use of clinical site(s) by established programs.

(iii) Proposal. The proposal shall address how the program would comply with the standards of nursing education defined in this chapter. At a minimum, the proposal shall include:
(A) Purpose, mission, and level of the proposed program;

(B) Evidence of parent institution and other pertinent governing bodies approval and support;

(C) Accreditation status of the parent institution;

(D) Selection of a national nursing accreditation agency recognized by the Board;

(E) Organizational structure of the educational institution documenting the relationship of the program within the parent institution;

(F) Evidence of financial resources adequate for the planning, implementation, and continuation of the program including budgeted faculty and support positions;

(G) Documentation of adequate academic facilities, including access to a library;

(H) Description of proposed instructional modalities and resources to support these modalities;

(J) Source and description of adequate clinical resources for the level of the program;

(K) Availability of qualified administrator and faculty;

(L) Evidence of community support demonstrated by letters of support from proposed clinical site(s) and community leaders;

(M) Anticipated student population and enrollment;

(N) Proposed timeline for planning and initiating the program; and

(O) If the parent organization operates program(s) in another jurisdiction(s) the applicant shall submit:
(I) NCLEX or certifying exam results for the past three (3) years for all graduates taking the examination;

(II) The most recent program accreditation report;

(III) Documentation of full approval by a nursing or educational regulatory agency that provides oversight of the program, such as a board of nursing from the home state/jurisdiction; and

(IV) Documentation of any complaints or grievances from students, clinical facilities, or the public within the past three (3) years and evidence of resolution.

(iv) The applicant shall respond to any Board requests for additional information.

(v) New program applications shall not be considered for prelicensure programs operating in Wyoming or any other jurisdiction(s) that cannot demonstrate NCLEX results as outlined in Section 10 of this chapter.

(vi) Board Action. After reviewing the initial proposal, the Board may grant or deny permission to submit an application for developmental approval.

(b) Step 2 - Submit Request for Developmental Approval.

(i) Timeline. At least six (6) months prior to admitting students, the parent institution shall submit a request for developmental approval.

(ii) Request for Developmental Approval. The request for developmental approval shall include verification the following program components and processes have been addressed:
(A) Appoint/hire an administrator pursuant to Section 4 and notify the Board of that appointment;

(B) Provide evidence the nursing program is actively seeking accreditation from a national nursing accreditation agency recognized by the Board;

(C) Develop a written, proposed program plan in accordance with the standards of nursing education and the programmatic standards as defined in Sections 3 and 4. In addition, the proposed program plan shall include:
(I) Program content;

(II) Schedule (course sequence);

(III) Course descriptions;

(IV) Contracts for clinical sites;

(V) Development of a self-evaluation plan as defined in Section 2(w);

(VI) Course syllabi; and

(VII) Identification of faculty needed, including number and experiential qualifications.

(D) Establish student policies for admission, progression, retention, remediation and graduation; and

(E) Request that the Board conduct a site-visit.

(iii) Site-visit. A representative of the Board shall complete an on-site survey of the proposed program, pursuant to Section 11.

(iv) Committee Review. In determining whether to recommend approval of the application, the Committee shall consider all evidence, including, but not limited to:
(A) The proposed program plan;

(B) The survey report;

(C) Comments from the petitioning institution;

(D) Public comments; and

(E) The status of other nursing programs operated by the parent institution.

(v) The Committee may recommend the Board grant or deny developmental approval. If the Committee recommends denial, the parent institution may request in writing, a hearing within one-hundred eighty (180) days.

(vi) Board Action. After review, the Board may grant or deny developmental approval. Developmental approval shall remain valid until the Board reviews the program following graduation of the first class and submission of the results of NCLEX or applicable certification exam.

(c) Step 3 - Preparation for Admission of Students.

(i) Timeline. At least three (3) months prior to admitting students, the parent institution shall prepare for the admission of students.

(ii) Preparation. The parent institution shall notify the Board when the following conditions have been met:
(A) There are sufficient qualified nurse educators pursuant to Section 4 and the Board has been notified of those appointments;

(B) Readiness for clinical instruction meeting the rules pursuant to Section 4(b) including;
(I) Signed clinical contracts with adequate clinical placement for the maximum number of students enrolled at one time; and

(II) Clinical facilities and equipment for practice of skills and simulation.

(C) There is evidence of academic and student services that will allow the program to meet planned objectives and the needs of students;

(D) The parent institution has received approval to operate a nursing education program by an accrediting body recognized by the United States Department of Education; and

(E) There is at least one (1) signed agreement for the articulation of undergraduate students to proceed to the next level of nursing education. The program(s) selected for the agreement shall:
(I) Meet the requirements for accreditation approval stipulated in Section 3(b); and

(II) Allow the student to complete their education while retaining Wyoming residency.

(F) There is evidence of readiness for admission of students.

(iii) Site-visit. The Board may request an on-site survey of the proposed program.

(iv) Board Review. After verifying all components and processes are complete and in place, the Board shall notify the program it may admit students.

(d) Step 4 - Program Reporting Obligations Following Admission of Students. After admission of students, the program shall submit quarterly narrative progress reports to the Board or as requested until graduation of the first cohort.

(e) Step 5 - Submit Request for Initial Full Approval.

(i) Timeline. Within six (6) months after graduation of the first cohort, the program shall submit a request for initial full approval.

(ii) Self-Evaluation Plan. The program shall develop and submit an updated self-evaluation plan.

(iii) Site-visit. A representative of the Board shall conduct an on-site survey of the program.

(iv) Committee Review. The Committee shall consider all evidence, including the self-evaluation plan, the survey report, comments from the petitioning institution, and public comments in considering the request for full approval. The Committee may recommend the Board grant or deny approval. If the Committee recommends denial, the parent institution may request in writing a hearing within one-hundred eighty (180) days.

(v) Board Action. After review of the request for initial full approval, the Board may grant or deny initial full approval.

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