| 21 | | - | circumstances; authorizing the board to investigate 8 |
|---|
| 22 | | - | the nature of an adverse action and take specified 9 |
|---|
| 23 | | - | actions; revising requirements for annual reports 10 |
|---|
| 24 | | - | program directors of approved programs are required to 11 |
|---|
| 25 | | - | submit to the board; providing for the termination of 12 |
|---|
| 26 | | - | a program's approval, and discipline of its program 13 |
|---|
| 27 | | - | director, under certain circumstances; revising 14 |
|---|
| 28 | | - | remediation procedures for approved programs with 15 |
|---|
| 29 | | - | graduate passage rates that do not meet specified 16 |
|---|
| 30 | | - | requirements; deleting a provision authorizing the 17 |
|---|
| 31 | | - | board to extend a program's probationary status; 18 |
|---|
| 32 | | - | revising requirements for certain nursing education 19 |
|---|
| 33 | | - | programs placed on probationary status; providing 20 |
|---|
| 34 | | - | requirements for programs with certain graduate 21 |
|---|
| 35 | | - | passage rates; authorizing agents of the Department of 22 |
|---|
| 36 | | - | Health to conduct onsite evaluations and inspections 23 |
|---|
| 37 | | - | of approved and accredited nursing education programs; 24 |
|---|
| 38 | | - | authorizing the department to collect evidence as part 25 |
|---|
| 21 | + | circumstances; revising requirements for annual 8 |
|---|
| 22 | + | reports approved programs are required to submit to 9 |
|---|
| 23 | + | the board; providing for the revocation of a program's 10 |
|---|
| 24 | + | approval, and discipline of its program director, 11 |
|---|
| 25 | + | under certain circumstances; revising remediation 12 |
|---|
| 26 | + | procedures for approved programs with graduate passage 13 |
|---|
| 27 | + | rates that do not meet specified requirements; 14 |
|---|
| 28 | + | subjecting program directors of approved programs to 15 |
|---|
| 29 | + | specified disciplinary action under certain 16 |
|---|
| 30 | + | circumstances; revising program-specific data the 17 |
|---|
| 31 | + | Florida Center for Nursing evaluates for certain 18 |
|---|
| 32 | + | programs; deleting a provision authorizing the board 19 |
|---|
| 33 | + | to extend a program's probationary status; authorizing 20 |
|---|
| 34 | + | agents of the Department of Health to conduct onsite 21 |
|---|
| 35 | + | evaluations and inspections of approved and accredited 22 |
|---|
| 36 | + | nursing education programs; authorizing the department 23 |
|---|
| 37 | + | to collect evidence as part of such evaluations and 24 |
|---|
| 38 | + | inspections; deeming failure or refusal of a program 25 |
|---|
| 51 | | - | of such evaluations and inspections; deeming failure 26 |
|---|
| 52 | | - | or refusal of a program to allow such evaluation or 27 |
|---|
| 53 | | - | inspection as a violation of a legal obligation; 28 |
|---|
| 54 | | - | revising and providing rulemaking authority of the 29 |
|---|
| 55 | | - | board; revising program-specific data the Florida 30 |
|---|
| 56 | | - | Center for Nursing evaluates for certain programs; 31 |
|---|
| 57 | | - | deleting a provision authorizing approved nursing 32 |
|---|
| 58 | | - | education programs to request an extension to meet the 33 |
|---|
| 59 | | - | board's accreditation requirements; providing an 34 |
|---|
| 60 | | - | effective date. 35 |
|---|
| 61 | | - | 36 |
|---|
| 62 | | - | Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Florida: 37 |
|---|
| 63 | | - | 38 |
|---|
| 64 | | - | Section 1. Subsectio ns (1), (2), (3), (5), (8), and (10) 39 |
|---|
| 65 | | - | and paragraph (f) of subsection (11) of section 464.019, Florida 40 |
|---|
| 66 | | - | Statutes, are amended to read: 41 |
|---|
| 67 | | - | 464.019 Approval of nursing education programs. — 42 |
|---|
| 68 | | - | (1) PROGRAM APPLICATION. —An educational institution that 43 |
|---|
| 69 | | - | wishes to conduct a program in this state for the prelicensure 44 |
|---|
| 70 | | - | education of professional or practical nurses must submit to the 45 |
|---|
| 71 | | - | department a program application and review fee of $1,000 for 46 |
|---|
| 72 | | - | each prelicensure nursing education program to be offered at the 47 |
|---|
| 73 | | - | institution's main campus, branch campus, or other instructional 48 |
|---|
| 74 | | - | site. The program application must include the legal name of the 49 |
|---|
| 75 | | - | educational institution, the legal name of the nursing education 50 |
|---|
| 51 | + | to allow such evaluation or inspection as a violation 26 |
|---|
| 52 | + | of a legal obligation; revising rulemaking authority 27 |
|---|
| 53 | + | of the board; deleting a provision authorizing 28 |
|---|
| 54 | + | approved nursing education programs to request an 29 |
|---|
| 55 | + | extension to meet the board's accreditation 30 |
|---|
| 56 | + | requirements; providing an effective date. 31 |
|---|
| 57 | + | 32 |
|---|
| 58 | + | Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Florida: 33 |
|---|
| 59 | + | 34 |
|---|
| 60 | + | Section 1. Subsections (1), (2), (3), (5), (8), and (10) 35 |
|---|
| 61 | + | and paragraph (f) of subsection (11) of section 464.019, Florida 36 |
|---|
| 62 | + | Statutes, are amended to read: 37 |
|---|
| 63 | + | 464.019 Approval of nursing education programs. — 38 |
|---|
| 64 | + | (1) PROGRAM APPLICATION. —An educational institution that 39 |
|---|
| 65 | + | wishes to conduct a program in this state for the prelicensure 40 |
|---|
| 66 | + | education of professional or practical nurses must submit to the 41 |
|---|
| 67 | + | department a program application and review fee of $1,000 for 42 |
|---|
| 68 | + | each prelicensure nursing education program to be offered at the 43 |
|---|
| 69 | + | institution's main campus, branch campus, or other instructional 44 |
|---|
| 70 | + | site. The program application must include the legal name of the 45 |
|---|
| 71 | + | educational institution, the legal name of the nursing education 46 |
|---|
| 72 | + | program, the legal name of the nursing education program 47 |
|---|
| 73 | + | director, and, if such institution is accredited, the name of 48 |
|---|
| 74 | + | the accrediting agency. The application must also document that: 49 |
|---|
| 75 | + | (a)1. For a professional nursing education program, the 50 |
|---|
| 88 | | - | program, the legal name of the nursing education program 51 |
|---|
| 89 | | - | director, the status and outcome of any disciplinary case 52 |
|---|
| 90 | | - | pending or closed against the applicant in another regulatory 53 |
|---|
| 91 | | - | jurisdiction in the United States, and, if such institution is 54 |
|---|
| 92 | | - | accredited, the name of the accrediting agency. The application 55 |
|---|
| 93 | | - | must also document that: 56 |
|---|
| 94 | | - | (a)1. For a professional nursing education program, the 57 |
|---|
| 95 | | - | program director and at least 50 percent of the program's 58 |
|---|
| 96 | | - | faculty members are registered nurses who have a master's or 59 |
|---|
| 97 | | - | higher degree in nursing or a bachelor's degree in nursing and a 60 |
|---|
| 98 | | - | master's or higher degree in a field related to nursing. 61 |
|---|
| 99 | | - | 2. For a practical nursing education program, the program 62 |
|---|
| 100 | | - | director and at least 50 percent of the program's faculty 63 |
|---|
| 101 | | - | members are registered nurses who have a bachelor's or higher 64 |
|---|
| 102 | | - | degree in nursing. 65 |
|---|
| 103 | | - | 66 |
|---|
| 104 | | - | The educational degree requirements of this paragraph may be 67 |
|---|
| 105 | | - | documented by an official transcript or by a written statement 68 |
|---|
| 106 | | - | from the program director of the educational institution 69 |
|---|
| 107 | | - | verifying that the institution conferred the degree. The program 70 |
|---|
| 108 | | - | director shall certify th e official transcript or written 71 |
|---|
| 109 | | - | statement as true and accurate. 72 |
|---|
| 110 | | - | (b) The program's nursing major curriculum consists of at 73 |
|---|
| 111 | | - | least: 74 |
|---|
| 112 | | - | 1. Fifty percent clinical training in the United States, 75 |
|---|
| 88 | + | program director and at least 50 percent of the program's 51 |
|---|
| 89 | + | faculty members are registered nurses who have a master's or 52 |
|---|
| 90 | + | higher degree in nursing or a bachelor's degree in nursing and a 53 |
|---|
| 91 | + | master's or higher degree in a field related to nursing. 54 |
|---|
| 92 | + | 2. For a practical nursing educa tion program, the program 55 |
|---|
| 93 | + | director and at least 50 percent of the program's faculty 56 |
|---|
| 94 | + | members are registered nurses who have a bachelor's or higher 57 |
|---|
| 95 | + | degree in nursing. 58 |
|---|
| 96 | + | 59 |
|---|
| 97 | + | The educational degree requirements of this paragraph must may 60 |
|---|
| 98 | + | be documented by an officia l transcript or by a written 61 |
|---|
| 99 | + | statement from the program director of the educational 62 |
|---|
| 100 | + | institution verifying that the institution conferred the degree. 63 |
|---|
| 101 | + | The program director shall certify the official transcript or 64 |
|---|
| 102 | + | written statement as true and accurate. 65 |
|---|
| 103 | + | (b) The program's nursing major curriculum consists of at 66 |
|---|
| 104 | + | least: 67 |
|---|
| 105 | + | 1. Fifty percent clinical training in the United States, 68 |
|---|
| 106 | + | the District of Columbia, or a possession or territory of the 69 |
|---|
| 107 | + | United States for a practical nursing education program, an 70 |
|---|
| 108 | + | associate degree professional nursing education program, or a 71 |
|---|
| 109 | + | professional diploma nursing education program. 72 |
|---|
| 110 | + | 2. Forty percent clinical training in the United States, 73 |
|---|
| 111 | + | the District of Columbia, or a possession or territory of the 74 |
|---|
| 112 | + | United States for a bachelor's degree professional nursing 75 |
|---|
| 125 | | - | the District of Columbia, or a possession or territory of the 76 |
|---|
| 126 | | - | United States for a practical nursing education program, an 77 |
|---|
| 127 | | - | associate degree professional nursing education program, or a 78 |
|---|
| 128 | | - | professional diploma nursing education program. 79 |
|---|
| 129 | | - | 2. Forty percent clinical training in the United States, 80 |
|---|
| 130 | | - | the District of Columbia, or a possession or territory of the 81 |
|---|
| 131 | | - | United States for a bachelor's degree professional nursing 82 |
|---|
| 132 | | - | education program. 83 |
|---|
| 133 | | - | (c) No more than 50 percent of the program's clinical 84 |
|---|
| 134 | | - | training consists of clinical simulation. 85 |
|---|
| 135 | | - | (d) The program has signed agreements with eac h agency, 86 |
|---|
| 136 | | - | facility, and organization included in the curriculum plan as 87 |
|---|
| 137 | | - | clinical training sites and community -based clinical experience 88 |
|---|
| 138 | | - | sites. 89 |
|---|
| 139 | | - | (e) The program has written policies for faculty which 90 |
|---|
| 140 | | - | include provisions for direct or indirect supervision by program 91 |
|---|
| 141 | | - | faculty or clinical preceptors for students in clinical training 92 |
|---|
| 142 | | - | consistent with the following standards: 93 |
|---|
| 143 | | - | 1. The number of program faculty members equals at least 94 |
|---|
| 144 | | - | one faculty member directly supervising every 12 students unless 95 |
|---|
| 145 | | - | the written agreement between the program and the agency, 96 |
|---|
| 146 | | - | facility, or organization providing clinical training sites 97 |
|---|
| 147 | | - | allows more students, not to exceed 18 students, to be directly 98 |
|---|
| 148 | | - | supervised by one program faculty member. 99 |
|---|
| 149 | | - | 2. For a hospital setting, indirect supervision may occur 100 |
|---|
| 125 | + | education program. 76 |
|---|
| 126 | + | (c) No more than 50 percent of the program's clinical 77 |
|---|
| 127 | + | training consists of clinical simulation. 78 |
|---|
| 128 | + | (d) The program has signed agreements with each agency, 79 |
|---|
| 129 | + | facility, and organization included in the curriculum plan a s 80 |
|---|
| 130 | + | clinical training sites and community -based clinical experience 81 |
|---|
| 131 | + | sites. 82 |
|---|
| 132 | + | (e) The program has written policies for faculty which 83 |
|---|
| 133 | + | include provisions for direct or indirect supervision by program 84 |
|---|
| 134 | + | faculty or clinical preceptors for students in clinical train ing 85 |
|---|
| 135 | + | consistent with the following standards: 86 |
|---|
| 136 | + | 1. The number of program faculty members equals at least 87 |
|---|
| 137 | + | one faculty member directly supervising every 12 students unless 88 |
|---|
| 138 | + | the written agreement between the program and the agency, 89 |
|---|
| 139 | + | facility, or organization providing clinical training sites 90 |
|---|
| 140 | + | allows more students, not to exceed 18 students, to be directly 91 |
|---|
| 141 | + | supervised by one program faculty member. 92 |
|---|
| 142 | + | 2. For a hospital setting, indirect supervision may occur 93 |
|---|
| 143 | + | only if there is direct supervision by an assigned clini cal 94 |
|---|
| 144 | + | preceptor, a supervising program faculty member is available by 95 |
|---|
| 145 | + | telephone, and such arrangement is approved by the clinical 96 |
|---|
| 146 | + | facility. 97 |
|---|
| 147 | + | 3. For community-based clinical experiences that involve 98 |
|---|
| 148 | + | student participation in invasive or complex nursing activi ties, 99 |
|---|
| 149 | + | students must be directly supervised by a program faculty member 100 |
|---|
| 162 | | - | only if there is direct supervision by an assigned clinical 101 |
|---|
| 163 | | - | preceptor, a supervising program faculty member is available by 102 |
|---|
| 164 | | - | telephone, and such arrangement is approved by the clinical 103 |
|---|
| 165 | | - | facility. 104 |
|---|
| 166 | | - | 3. For community-based clinical experiences that involve 105 |
|---|
| 167 | | - | student participation in invasive or complex nursing activities, 106 |
|---|
| 168 | | - | students must be directly supervised by a program faculty member 107 |
|---|
| 169 | | - | or clinical preceptor and such arrangement must be approved by 108 |
|---|
| 170 | | - | the community-based clinical facility. 109 |
|---|
| 171 | | - | 4. For community-based clinical experiences not subject to 110 |
|---|
| 172 | | - | subparagraph 3., indirect supervision may occur only when a 111 |
|---|
| 173 | | - | supervising program faculty member is available to the student 112 |
|---|
| 174 | | - | by telephone. 113 |
|---|
| 175 | | - | 114 |
|---|
| 176 | | - | A program's policies established under this paragraph must 115 |
|---|
| 177 | | - | require that a clinical preceptor who is supervising students in 116 |
|---|
| 178 | | - | a professional nursing education program be a registered nurse 117 |
|---|
| 179 | | - | or, if supervising students in a practical nursing education 118 |
|---|
| 180 | | - | program, be a registered nurse or licensed practical nurse. 119 |
|---|
| 181 | | - | (f) The professiona l or practical nursing curriculum plan 120 |
|---|
| 182 | | - | documents clinical experience and theoretical instruction in 121 |
|---|
| 183 | | - | medical, surgical, obstetric, pediatric, and geriatric nursing. 122 |
|---|
| 184 | | - | A professional nursing curriculum plan must shall also document 123 |
|---|
| 185 | | - | clinical experience and theo retical instruction in psychiatric 124 |
|---|
| 186 | | - | nursing. Each curriculum plan must document clinical training 125 |
|---|
| 162 | + | or clinical preceptor and such arrangement must be approved by 101 |
|---|
| 163 | + | the community-based clinical facility. 102 |
|---|
| 164 | + | 4. For community-based clinical experiences not subject to 103 |
|---|
| 165 | + | subparagraph 3., indir ect supervision may occur only when a 104 |
|---|
| 166 | + | supervising program faculty member is available to the student 105 |
|---|
| 167 | + | by telephone. 106 |
|---|
| 168 | + | 107 |
|---|
| 169 | + | A program's policies established under this paragraph must 108 |
|---|
| 170 | + | require that a clinical preceptor who is supervising students in 109 |
|---|
| 171 | + | a professional nursing education program be a registered nurse 110 |
|---|
| 172 | + | or, if supervising students in a practical nursing education 111 |
|---|
| 173 | + | program, be a registered nurse or licensed practical nurse. 112 |
|---|
| 174 | + | (f) The professional or practical nursing curriculum plan 113 |
|---|
| 175 | + | documents clinical experienc e and theoretical instruction in 114 |
|---|
| 176 | + | medical, surgical, obstetric, pediatric, and geriatric nursing. 115 |
|---|
| 177 | + | A professional nursing curriculum plan must shall also document 116 |
|---|
| 178 | + | clinical experience and theoretical instruction in psychiatric 117 |
|---|
| 179 | + | nursing. Each curriculum plan mu st document clinical training 118 |
|---|
| 180 | + | experience in appropriate settings that include, but are not 119 |
|---|
| 181 | + | limited to, acute care, long -term care, and community settings. 120 |
|---|
| 182 | + | (g) The professional or practical nursing education 121 |
|---|
| 183 | + | program provides theoretical instruction and cl inical 122 |
|---|
| 184 | + | application in personal, family, and community health concepts; 123 |
|---|
| 185 | + | nutrition; human growth and development throughout the life 124 |
|---|
| 186 | + | span; body structure and function; interpersonal relationship 125 |
|---|
| 199 | | - | experience in appropriate settings that include, but are not 126 |
|---|
| 200 | | - | limited to, acute care, long -term care, and community settings. 127 |
|---|
| 201 | | - | (g) The professional or practica l nursing education 128 |
|---|
| 202 | | - | program provides theoretical instruction and clinical 129 |
|---|
| 203 | | - | application in personal, family, and community health concepts; 130 |
|---|
| 204 | | - | nutrition; human growth and development throughout the life 131 |
|---|
| 205 | | - | span; body structure and function; interpersonal relations hip 132 |
|---|
| 206 | | - | skills; mental health concepts; pharmacology and administration 133 |
|---|
| 207 | | - | of medications; and legal aspects of practice. A professional 134 |
|---|
| 208 | | - | nursing education program must also provide theoretical 135 |
|---|
| 209 | | - | instruction and clinical application in interpersonal 136 |
|---|
| 210 | | - | relationships and leadership skills; professional role and 137 |
|---|
| 211 | | - | function; and health teaching and counseling skills. 138 |
|---|
| 212 | | - | (h) The professional or practical nursing education 139 |
|---|
| 213 | | - | program has established evaluation and standardized admission 140 |
|---|
| 214 | | - | criteria. The admission criteria must, at a minimum, identify 141 |
|---|
| 215 | | - | those students who are likely to need additional educational 142 |
|---|
| 216 | | - | support to be successful program graduates. The program must 143 |
|---|
| 217 | | - | maintain documentation of the individualized student academic 144 |
|---|
| 218 | | - | support plan for those students identified as in need of 145 |
|---|
| 219 | | - | additional preparation and educational support. 146 |
|---|
| 220 | | - | (i) The professional or practical nursing education 147 |
|---|
| 221 | | - | program has an established comprehensive examination, known as 148 |
|---|
| 222 | | - | an exit examination, or a full preparation course incorporating 149 |
|---|
| 223 | | - | multiple comprehensive examinations, known as a preparation 150 |
|---|
| 199 | + | skills; mental health concepts; pharmacology and administration 126 |
|---|
| 200 | + | of medications; and legal aspects of practice. A professional 127 |
|---|
| 201 | + | nursing education program must also provide theoretical 128 |
|---|
| 202 | + | instruction and clinical application in interpersonal 129 |
|---|
| 203 | + | relationships and leadership skills; professional role and 130 |
|---|
| 204 | + | function; and health tea ching and counseling skills. 131 |
|---|
| 205 | + | (h) The professional or practical nursing education 132 |
|---|
| 206 | + | program has established evaluation and standardized admission 133 |
|---|
| 207 | + | criteria. The admission criteria must, at a minimum, identify 134 |
|---|
| 208 | + | those students who are likely to need additional educational 135 |
|---|
| 209 | + | support to be successful program graduates. The program must 136 |
|---|
| 210 | + | maintain documentation of the individualized student academic 137 |
|---|
| 211 | + | support plan for those students identified as in need of 138 |
|---|
| 212 | + | additional preparation and educational support. 139 |
|---|
| 213 | + | (i) The professional or practical nursing education 140 |
|---|
| 214 | + | program has an established comprehensive examination, known as 141 |
|---|
| 215 | + | an exit examination, to prepare students for the National 142 |
|---|
| 216 | + | Council of State Boards of Nursing Licensing Examination. The 143 |
|---|
| 217 | + | exit examination must be administer ed before program completion. 144 |
|---|
| 218 | + | However, successful passage may not be required for graduation. 145 |
|---|
| 219 | + | The program director is responsible for posting the average exit 146 |
|---|
| 220 | + | examination results of the program on the program's website. 147 |
|---|
| 221 | + | (j) The professional or practical nursing education 148 |
|---|
| 222 | + | program has submitted to the board the established criteria for 149 |
|---|
| 223 | + | remediation that will be offered to students who do not 150 |
|---|
| 236 | | - | course, to prepare students for the National Council of State 151 |
|---|
| 237 | | - | Boards of Nursing Licensing Examination. The exit examination or 152 |
|---|
| 238 | | - | preparation course must be administered to all students before 153 |
|---|
| 239 | | - | program completion. Successful completion of the exit 154 |
|---|
| 240 | | - | examination or preparation course may not be required for 155 |
|---|
| 241 | | - | graduation unless students are notified of such requirement in 156 |
|---|
| 242 | | - | writing upon enrollment in the program. The program director is 157 |
|---|
| 243 | | - | responsible for posting the average exit examin ation results of 158 |
|---|
| 244 | | - | the program on the program's website. 159 |
|---|
| 245 | | - | (j) The professional or practical nursing education 160 |
|---|
| 246 | | - | program has submitted to the board the established criteria for 161 |
|---|
| 247 | | - | remediation that will be available for students who do not pass 162 |
|---|
| 248 | | - | the exit examination or preparation course. 163 |
|---|
| 249 | | - | (2) PROGRAM APPROVAL. — 164 |
|---|
| 250 | | - | (a) Upon receipt of a program application and review fee, 165 |
|---|
| 251 | | - | the department shall examine the application to determine if it 166 |
|---|
| 252 | | - | is complete. If the application is not complete, the department 167 |
|---|
| 253 | | - | must shall notify the educational institution in writing of any 168 |
|---|
| 254 | | - | errors or omissions within 30 days after the department's 169 |
|---|
| 255 | | - | receipt of the application. A program application is deemed 170 |
|---|
| 256 | | - | complete upon the department's receipt of: 171 |
|---|
| 257 | | - | 1. The initial application, if the department d oes not 172 |
|---|
| 258 | | - | notify the educational institution of any errors or omissions 173 |
|---|
| 259 | | - | within the 30-day period; or 174 |
|---|
| 260 | | - | 2. A revised application that corrects each error and 175 |
|---|
| 236 | + | successfully pass the exit examination. 151 |
|---|
| 237 | + | (2) PROGRAM APPROVAL. — 152 |
|---|
| 238 | + | (a) Upon receipt of a program application and revie w fee, 153 |
|---|
| 239 | + | the department shall examine the application to determine if it 154 |
|---|
| 240 | + | is complete. If the application is not complete, the department 155 |
|---|
| 241 | + | must shall notify the educational institution in writing of any 156 |
|---|
| 242 | + | errors or omissions within 30 days after the department's 157 |
|---|
| 243 | + | receipt of the application. A program application is deemed 158 |
|---|
| 244 | + | complete upon the department's receipt of: 159 |
|---|
| 245 | + | 1. The initial application, if the department does not 160 |
|---|
| 246 | + | notify the educational institution of any errors or omissions 161 |
|---|
| 247 | + | within the 30-day period; or 162 |
|---|
| 248 | + | 2. A revised application that corrects each error and 163 |
|---|
| 249 | + | omission of which the department notifies the educational 164 |
|---|
| 250 | + | institution within the 30 -day period. 165 |
|---|
| 251 | + | (b) Following the department's receipt of a complete 166 |
|---|
| 252 | + | program application, the board may conduct an onsite evaluation 167 |
|---|
| 253 | + | if necessary to document the applicant's compliance with 168 |
|---|
| 254 | + | subsection (1). Within 90 days after the department's receipt of 169 |
|---|
| 255 | + | a complete program application, the board shall: 170 |
|---|
| 256 | + | 1. Approve the application if it documents compliance with 171 |
|---|
| 257 | + | subsection (1); or 172 |
|---|
| 258 | + | 2. Provide the educational institution with a notice of 173 |
|---|
| 259 | + | intent to deny the application if it does not document 174 |
|---|
| 260 | + | compliance with subsection (1). The notice must specify written 175 |
|---|
| 273 | | - | omission of which the department notifies the educational 176 |
|---|
| 274 | | - | institution within the 30 -day period. 177 |
|---|
| 275 | | - | (b) Following the department's receipt of a complete 178 |
|---|
| 276 | | - | program application, the board may conduct an onsite evaluation 179 |
|---|
| 277 | | - | if necessary to document the applicant's compliance with 180 |
|---|
| 278 | | - | subsection (1). Within 90 days after the department's receipt of 181 |
|---|
| 279 | | - | a complete program a pplication, the board shall: 182 |
|---|
| 280 | | - | 1. Approve the application if it documents compliance with 183 |
|---|
| 281 | | - | subsection (1); or 184 |
|---|
| 282 | | - | 2. Provide the educational institution with a notice of 185 |
|---|
| 283 | | - | intent to deny the application if it does not document 186 |
|---|
| 284 | | - | compliance with subsection (1). Th e notice must specify written 187 |
|---|
| 285 | | - | reasons for the board's denial of the application. The board may 188 |
|---|
| 286 | | - | not deny a program application because of an educational 189 |
|---|
| 287 | | - | institution's failure to correct an error or omission that the 190 |
|---|
| 288 | | - | department failed to provide notice of to the institution within 191 |
|---|
| 289 | | - | the 30-day notice period under paragraph (a). The educational 192 |
|---|
| 290 | | - | institution may request a hearing on the notice of intent to 193 |
|---|
| 291 | | - | deny the program application pursuant to chapter 120. 194 |
|---|
| 292 | | - | (c) A program application is deemed approved if the b oard 195 |
|---|
| 293 | | - | does not act within the 90 -day review period provided under 196 |
|---|
| 294 | | - | paragraph (b). 197 |
|---|
| 295 | | - | (d) Upon the board's approval of a program application, 198 |
|---|
| 296 | | - | the program becomes an approved program. 199 |
|---|
| 297 | | - | (e) The board may consider adverse actions taken against a 200 |
|---|
| 273 | + | reasons for the board's denial of the application. The board may 176 |
|---|
| 274 | + | not deny a program application because of an educational 177 |
|---|
| 275 | + | institution's failure to correct an error or omission that the 178 |
|---|
| 276 | + | department failed to provide notice of to the institution within 179 |
|---|
| 277 | + | the 30-day notice period under paragraph (a). The educational 180 |
|---|
| 278 | + | institution may request a hearing on the notice of intent to 181 |
|---|
| 279 | + | deny the program application pursuant to chapter 120. 182 |
|---|
| 280 | + | (c) A program application is deemed approved if the board 183 |
|---|
| 281 | + | does not act within the 90 -day review period provided under 184 |
|---|
| 282 | + | paragraph (b). 185 |
|---|
| 283 | + | (d) Upon the board's approval of a program application, 186 |
|---|
| 284 | + | the program becomes an approved program. 187 |
|---|
| 285 | + | (e) The board shall deny an application from a program 188 |
|---|
| 286 | + | that has had adverse action taken against it by another 189 |
|---|
| 287 | + | regulatory jurisdiction in the United States. The board may also 190 |
|---|
| 288 | + | revoke the approval of an existing approved program that has had 191 |
|---|
| 289 | + | adverse action taken against it by another regulatory 192 |
|---|
| 290 | + | jurisdiction in the United States. 193 |
|---|
| 291 | + | (3) ANNUAL REPORT.—By November 1 of each year, each 194 |
|---|
| 292 | + | approved program's director program shall submit to the board an 195 |
|---|
| 293 | + | annual report comprised of an affidavit certifying continued 196 |
|---|
| 294 | + | compliance with subsection (1), a summary description of the 197 |
|---|
| 295 | + | program's compliance with subsection (1), and documentation for 198 |
|---|
| 296 | + | the previous academic year that, to the extent applicab le, 199 |
|---|
| 297 | + | describes: 200 |
|---|
| 310 | | - | nursing education program by another regulatory jurisdiction in 201 |
|---|
| 311 | | - | the United States in determining program approval. The program 202 |
|---|
| 312 | | - | director of an approved program must notify the board within 15 203 |
|---|
| 313 | | - | days after any adverse action taken against the program by 204 |
|---|
| 314 | | - | another regulatory jur isdiction in the United States. 205 |
|---|
| 315 | | - | 1. The board shall deny an application from an applicant 206 |
|---|
| 316 | | - | if another regulatory jurisdiction in the United States has 207 |
|---|
| 317 | | - | terminated or otherwise revoked its authority to operate a 208 |
|---|
| 318 | | - | nursing education program. 209 |
|---|
| 319 | | - | 2. The board may investigate the nature of an adverse 210 |
|---|
| 320 | | - | action. In instances of adverse action other than termination or 211 |
|---|
| 321 | | - | revocation of a program's authority to operate, the board may: 212 |
|---|
| 322 | | - | a. Approve the application; 213 |
|---|
| 323 | | - | b. Approve the application with conditions; or 214 |
|---|
| 324 | | - | c. Deny the application. 215 |
|---|
| 325 | | - | 3. The board may impose disciplinary remedies on an 216 |
|---|
| 326 | | - | approved program against which an adverse action has been taken 217 |
|---|
| 327 | | - | by another regulatory jurisdiction in the United States. The 218 |
|---|
| 328 | | - | board may impose remedies up to and including revocation of a 219 |
|---|
| 329 | | - | program's approval pursuant to rules adopted under this section. 220 |
|---|
| 330 | | - | (f) The board may deny an application for approval if the 221 |
|---|
| 331 | | - | board determines that the applicant is owned by any individual, 222 |
|---|
| 332 | | - | group of individuals, or entity who directly or indirectly 223 |
|---|
| 333 | | - | owned, controlled, or held a 25 percent or greater financial or 224 |
|---|
| 334 | | - | ownership interest in a nursing education program that was on 225 |
|---|
| 310 | + | (a) The number of student applications received, qualified 201 |
|---|
| 311 | + | applicants, applicants accepted, accepted applicants who enroll 202 |
|---|
| 312 | + | in the program, students enrolled in the program, and program 203 |
|---|
| 313 | + | graduates. 204 |
|---|
| 314 | + | (b) The program's retention rates for stu dents tracked 205 |
|---|
| 315 | + | from program entry to graduation. 206 |
|---|
| 316 | + | (c) The program's accreditation status, including 207 |
|---|
| 317 | + | identification of the accrediting agency. 208 |
|---|
| 318 | + | (d) The program's average exit examination results. 209 |
|---|
| 319 | + | 210 |
|---|
| 320 | + | The board must terminate the program pursuant to chapter 12 0 if 211 |
|---|
| 321 | + | the requirements of this subsection are not met. The program 212 |
|---|
| 322 | + | director is also subject to discipline under s. 456.072(1)(k) 213 |
|---|
| 323 | + | for such failure. 214 |
|---|
| 324 | + | (5) ACCOUNTABILITY. — 215 |
|---|
| 325 | + | (a)1. An approved program must achieve a graduate passage 216 |
|---|
| 326 | + | rate for first-time test takers which is not more than 10 217 |
|---|
| 327 | + | percentage points lower than the average passage rate during the 218 |
|---|
| 328 | + | same calendar year for graduates of comparable degree programs 219 |
|---|
| 329 | + | who are United States educated, first -time test takers on the 220 |
|---|
| 330 | + | National Council of State Boards of Nursing Licensing 221 |
|---|
| 331 | + | Examination, as calculated by the contract testing service of 222 |
|---|
| 332 | + | the National Council of State Boards of Nursing. For purposes of 223 |
|---|
| 333 | + | this subparagraph, an ap proved program is comparable to all 224 |
|---|
| 334 | + | degree programs of the same program type from among the 225 |
|---|
| 347 | | - | probationary status at the time of its closure. 226 |
|---|
| 348 | | - | (3) ANNUAL REPORT.—By November 1 of each year, the program 227 |
|---|
| 349 | | - | director of each approved program shall submit to the board an 228 |
|---|
| 350 | | - | annual report comprised of an affidavit certifying continued 229 |
|---|
| 351 | | - | compliance with subsection (1), a summary description of the 230 |
|---|
| 352 | | - | program's compliance with subsection (1), and documentation for 231 |
|---|
| 353 | | - | the previous academic year that, to the extent applicable, 232 |
|---|
| 354 | | - | describes: 233 |
|---|
| 355 | | - | (a) The number of student applications received, qualified 234 |
|---|
| 356 | | - | applicants, applicants accepted, accepted applicants who enroll 235 |
|---|
| 357 | | - | in the program, students enrolled in the program, and program 236 |
|---|
| 358 | | - | graduates. 237 |
|---|
| 359 | | - | (b) The program's retention rates for students tracked 238 |
|---|
| 360 | | - | from program entry to graduation. 239 |
|---|
| 361 | | - | (c) The program's accreditation status, including 240 |
|---|
| 362 | | - | identification of the accrediting agency. 241 |
|---|
| 363 | | - | (d) The program's average exit examination or preparation 242 |
|---|
| 364 | | - | course results. 243 |
|---|
| 365 | | - | 244 |
|---|
| 366 | | - | The board must terminate the program if the requirements of this 245 |
|---|
| 367 | | - | subsection are not met. The program director is also subject to 246 |
|---|
| 368 | | - | discipline under s. 456.072(1)(k) for such failure. 247 |
|---|
| 369 | | - | (5) ACCOUNTABILITY. — 248 |
|---|
| 370 | | - | (a)1. An approved program must achieve a graduate passage 249 |
|---|
| 371 | | - | rate for first-time test takers which is not more than 10 250 |
|---|
| 347 | + | following program types: 226 |
|---|
| 348 | + | a. Professional nursing education programs that terminate 227 |
|---|
| 349 | + | in a bachelor's degree. 228 |
|---|
| 350 | + | b. Professional nursing education programs that termi nate 229 |
|---|
| 351 | + | in an associate degree. 230 |
|---|
| 352 | + | c. Professional nursing education programs that terminate 231 |
|---|
| 353 | + | in a diploma. 232 |
|---|
| 354 | + | d. Practical nursing education programs. 233 |
|---|
| 355 | + | 2. An approved program with graduate passage rates which 234 |
|---|
| 356 | + | do not equal or exceed the required passage rate fo r the most 235 |
|---|
| 357 | + | recent calendar year must offer remediation to students who do 236 |
|---|
| 358 | + | not successfully pass the program's exit examination at no 237 |
|---|
| 359 | + | additional cost or pay for remediation from a board -approved 238 |
|---|
| 360 | + | remedial program. 239 |
|---|
| 361 | + | 3.2. If an approved program's graduate pas sage rates do 240 |
|---|
| 362 | + | not equal or exceed the required passage rates for 1 calendar 241 |
|---|
| 363 | + | year 2 consecutive calendar years , the board must shall place 242 |
|---|
| 364 | + | the program on probationary status pursuant to chapter 120 and 243 |
|---|
| 365 | + | the program director must submit a written remediation plan to 244 |
|---|
| 366 | + | the board. The program director must shall appear before the 245 |
|---|
| 367 | + | board to present the a plan for remediation, which must shall 246 |
|---|
| 368 | + | include specific nationally recognized benchmarks to identify 247 |
|---|
| 369 | + | progress toward a graduate passage rate goal. The board must 248 |
|---|
| 370 | + | terminate a program pursuant to chapter 120 if the program 249 |
|---|
| 371 | + | director fails to submit a written remediation plan or fails to 250 |
|---|
| 384 | | - | percentage points lower than the average passage rate during the 251 |
|---|
| 385 | | - | same calendar year for graduates of comparable degree programs 252 |
|---|
| 386 | | - | who are United States educated, first -time test takers on the 253 |
|---|
| 387 | | - | National Council of State Boards of Nursing Licensing 254 |
|---|
| 388 | | - | Examination, as calculated by the contract testing service of 255 |
|---|
| 389 | | - | the National Council of State Boards of Nursing. For purposes of 256 |
|---|
| 390 | | - | this subparagraph, an approved program is comparable to all 257 |
|---|
| 391 | | - | degree programs of the same program type from among the 258 |
|---|
| 392 | | - | following program types: 259 |
|---|
| 393 | | - | a. Professional nursing education programs that terminate 260 |
|---|
| 394 | | - | in a bachelor's degree. 261 |
|---|
| 395 | | - | b. Professional nursing education programs that terminate 262 |
|---|
| 396 | | - | in an associate degree. 263 |
|---|
| 397 | | - | c. Professional nurs ing education programs that terminate 264 |
|---|
| 398 | | - | in a diploma. 265 |
|---|
| 399 | | - | d. Practical nursing education programs. 266 |
|---|
| 400 | | - | 2. If an approved program's graduate passage rates do not 267 |
|---|
| 401 | | - | equal or exceed the required passage rates for 1 calendar year 2 268 |
|---|
| 402 | | - | consecutive calendar years , the board must shall place the 269 |
|---|
| 403 | | - | program on probationary status pursuant to chapter 120 and the 270 |
|---|
| 404 | | - | program director must submit a written remediation plan to the 271 |
|---|
| 405 | | - | board. The program director must shall appear before the board 272 |
|---|
| 406 | | - | to present the a plan for remediation, which must shall include 273 |
|---|
| 407 | | - | specific nationally recognized benchmarks to identify progress 274 |
|---|
| 408 | | - | toward a graduate passage rate goal. The board must terminate a 275 |
|---|
| 384 | + | appear before the board and present the remediation within 6 251 |
|---|
| 385 | + | months after the program is placed on probation. The program's 252 |
|---|
| 386 | + | director is also subject to discipline under s. 456.072(1)(k) 253 |
|---|
| 387 | + | for such failure. The program must remain on probationary status 254 |
|---|
| 388 | + | until it achieves a graduate passage rate that equals or exceeds 255 |
|---|
| 389 | + | the required passage rate for any 1 calendar year. The board 256 |
|---|
| 390 | + | must shall deny a program application for a new prelicensure 257 |
|---|
| 391 | + | nursing education program submitted by an educational 258 |
|---|
| 392 | + | institution if the institution has an existing program that is 259 |
|---|
| 393 | + | already on probationary status. 260 |
|---|
| 394 | + | 4.3. Upon the program's achievement of a graduate passage 261 |
|---|
| 395 | + | rate that equals or exceeds the required passage rate, the 262 |
|---|
| 396 | + | board, at its next regularly scheduled meeting following release 263 |
|---|
| 397 | + | of the program's graduate passage rate by the National Council 264 |
|---|
| 398 | + | of State Boards of Nursing, shall remove the program's 265 |
|---|
| 399 | + | probationary status. If the program, during the 2 calendar year 266 |
|---|
| 400 | + | years following its placement on probationary status, does not 267 |
|---|
| 401 | + | achieve the required passage rate for any 1 calendar year , the 268 |
|---|
| 402 | + | board must may extend the program's probationary status for 1 269 |
|---|
| 403 | + | additional year, provided the program has demonstrated adequate 270 |
|---|
| 404 | + | progress toward the graduate passage rate goal by meeting a 271 |
|---|
| 405 | + | majority of the benchmarks established in the remediation plan. 272 |
|---|
| 406 | + | If the program is not granted the 1 -year extension or fails to 273 |
|---|
| 407 | + | achieve the required pa ssage rate by the end of such extension, 274 |
|---|
| 408 | + | the board shall terminate the program pursuant to chapter 120. 275 |
|---|
| 421 | | - | program if the program director fails to submit a written 276 |
|---|
| 422 | | - | remediation plan that c omplies with this section or fails to 277 |
|---|
| 423 | | - | appear before the board and present the remediation within 6 278 |
|---|
| 424 | | - | months after the program is placed on probation. The program's 279 |
|---|
| 425 | | - | director is also subject to discipline under s. 456.072(1)(k) 280 |
|---|
| 426 | | - | for such failure. The program must remain on probationary status 281 |
|---|
| 427 | | - | until it achieves a graduate passage rate that equals or exceeds 282 |
|---|
| 428 | | - | the required passage rate for any 1 calendar year. The board 283 |
|---|
| 429 | | - | must shall deny a program application for a new prelicensure 284 |
|---|
| 430 | | - | nursing education program submitted by an educational 285 |
|---|
| 431 | | - | institution if the institution has an existing program that is 286 |
|---|
| 432 | | - | already on probationary status. 287 |
|---|
| 433 | | - | 3. Upon the program's achievement of a graduate passage 288 |
|---|
| 434 | | - | rate that equals or exceeds the required passage rate, the 289 |
|---|
| 435 | | - | board, at its next regular ly scheduled meeting following release 290 |
|---|
| 436 | | - | of the program's graduate passage rate by the National Council 291 |
|---|
| 437 | | - | of State Boards of Nursing, shall remove the program's 292 |
|---|
| 438 | | - | probationary status. If the program, during the 2 calendar years 293 |
|---|
| 439 | | - | following its placement on probati onary status, does not achieve 294 |
|---|
| 440 | | - | the required passage rate for any 1 calendar year , the board 295 |
|---|
| 441 | | - | must may extend the program's probationary status for 1 296 |
|---|
| 442 | | - | additional year, provided the program has demonstrated adequate 297 |
|---|
| 443 | | - | progress toward the graduate passage rate go al by meeting a 298 |
|---|
| 444 | | - | majority of the benchmarks established in the remediation plan. 299 |
|---|
| 445 | | - | If the program is not granted the 1 -year extension or fails to 300 |
|---|
| 421 | + | 5. If an approved program's graduate passage rate is below 276 |
|---|
| 422 | + | 30 percent in a calendar year, the program must reimburse the 277 |
|---|
| 423 | + | total cost of tuition and fee s paid by each student who failed 278 |
|---|
| 424 | + | to pass the National Council of State Boards of Nursing 279 |
|---|
| 425 | + | Licensing Examination as a first -time test taker in that 280 |
|---|
| 426 | + | calendar year. The program must outline its plan for meeting 281 |
|---|
| 427 | + | this requirement in its written remediation plan under 282 |
|---|
| 428 | + | subparagraph (5)(a)3. 283 |
|---|
| 429 | + | (b) If an approved program fails to submit the annual 284 |
|---|
| 430 | + | report required in subsection (3), the board must shall notify 285 |
|---|
| 431 | + | the program director and president or chief executive officer of 286 |
|---|
| 432 | + | the educational institution in writing with in 15 days after the 287 |
|---|
| 433 | + | due date of the annual report. The program director must shall 288 |
|---|
| 434 | + | appear before the board at the board's next regularly scheduled 289 |
|---|
| 435 | + | meeting to explain the reason for the delay. The board must 290 |
|---|
| 436 | + | shall terminate the program pursuant to chapter 120 if the 291 |
|---|
| 437 | + | program director fails to appear before the board, as required 292 |
|---|
| 438 | + | under this paragraph, or if the program does not submit the 293 |
|---|
| 439 | + | annual report within 6 months after the due date. 294 |
|---|
| 440 | + | (c) A nursing education program, whether accredited or 295 |
|---|
| 441 | + | nonaccredited, which has been placed on probationary status must 296 |
|---|
| 442 | + | shall disclose its probationary status in writing to the 297 |
|---|
| 443 | + | program's students and applicants. The notification must include 298 |
|---|
| 444 | + | an explanation of the implications of the program's probationary 299 |
|---|
| 445 | + | status on the students or applicants. 300 |
|---|
| 458 | | - | achieve the required passage rate by the end of such extension, 301 |
|---|
| 459 | | - | the board shall terminate the program pursuant to chapter 120. 302 |
|---|
| 460 | | - | (b) If an approved program fails to submit the annual 303 |
|---|
| 461 | | - | report required in subsection (3), the board must shall notify 304 |
|---|
| 462 | | - | the program director and president or chief executive officer of 305 |
|---|
| 463 | | - | the educational institution in writing within 15 days afte r the 306 |
|---|
| 464 | | - | due date of the annual report. The program director must shall 307 |
|---|
| 465 | | - | appear before the board at the board's next regularly scheduled 308 |
|---|
| 466 | | - | meeting to explain the reason for the delay. The board must 309 |
|---|
| 467 | | - | shall terminate the program pursuant to chapter 120 if the 310 |
|---|
| 468 | | - | program director fails to appear before the board, as required 311 |
|---|
| 469 | | - | under this paragraph, or if the program does not submit the 312 |
|---|
| 470 | | - | annual report within 30 days 6 months after the due date. 313 |
|---|
| 471 | | - | (c) A nursing education program, whether accredited or 314 |
|---|
| 472 | | - | nonaccredited, which h as been placed on probationary status 315 |
|---|
| 473 | | - | must: 316 |
|---|
| 474 | | - | 1. shall Disclose its probationary status in writing to 317 |
|---|
| 475 | | - | the program's students and applicants. The notification must 318 |
|---|
| 476 | | - | include an explanation of the implications of the program's 319 |
|---|
| 477 | | - | probationary status on the studen ts or applicants. 320 |
|---|
| 478 | | - | 2. Offer remediation at no additional cost or pay for 321 |
|---|
| 479 | | - | remediation from a board -approved remedial program for: 322 |
|---|
| 480 | | - | a. Students who do not pass the program's exit examination 323 |
|---|
| 481 | | - | or preparation course. 324 |
|---|
| 482 | | - | b. Each program graduate who fails to pa ss the National 325 |
|---|
| 458 | + | (d) If students from a program that is terminated pursuant 301 |
|---|
| 459 | + | to this subsection transfer to an approved or an accredited 302 |
|---|
| 460 | + | program under the direction of the Commission for Independent 303 |
|---|
| 461 | + | Education, the board must shall recalculate the passag e rates of 304 |
|---|
| 462 | + | the programs receiving the transferring students, excluding the 305 |
|---|
| 463 | + | test scores of those students transferring more than 12 credits. 306 |
|---|
| 464 | + | (e) For each student who fails to pass the National 307 |
|---|
| 465 | + | Council of State Boards of Nursing Licensing Examination as a 308 |
|---|
| 466 | + | first-time test taker, and for at least 1 calendar year 309 |
|---|
| 467 | + | following his or her graduation date, an approved program on 310 |
|---|
| 468 | + | probationary status must offer such student remediation at no 311 |
|---|
| 469 | + | additional cost to the student or pay for remediation from a 312 |
|---|
| 470 | + | board-approved remedial program. 313 |
|---|
| 471 | + | (f) Duly authorized agents or employees of the department 314 |
|---|
| 472 | + | may conduct onsite evaluations or inspections at all reasonable 315 |
|---|
| 473 | + | hours to verify that approved programs or accredited programs 316 |
|---|
| 474 | + | are in full compliance with this chapter, or to deter mine 317 |
|---|
| 475 | + | whether this chapter or s. 456.072 is being violated. The 318 |
|---|
| 476 | + | department may collect any necessary evidence needed to verify 319 |
|---|
| 477 | + | compliance with this chapter or for prosecution as deemed 320 |
|---|
| 478 | + | necessary. The failure of a program to allow an onsite 321 |
|---|
| 479 | + | evaluation or inspection is deemed a violation of a legal 322 |
|---|
| 480 | + | obligation imposed by the board or the department. 323 |
|---|
| 481 | + | (8) RULEMAKING.—The board does not have rulemaking 324 |
|---|
| 482 | + | authority to administer this section, except that the board 325 |
|---|
| 495 | | - | Council of State Boards of Nursing Licensing Examination as a 326 |
|---|
| 496 | | - | first-time test taker within 1 calendar year after graduation. 327 |
|---|
| 497 | | - | (d) If students from a program that is terminated pursuant 328 |
|---|
| 498 | | - | to this subsection transfer to an approved or an accre dited 329 |
|---|
| 499 | | - | program under the direction of the Commission for Independent 330 |
|---|
| 500 | | - | Education, the board must shall recalculate the passage rates of 331 |
|---|
| 501 | | - | the programs receiving the transferring students, excluding the 332 |
|---|
| 502 | | - | test scores of those students transferring more than 12 cre dits. 333 |
|---|
| 503 | | - | (e) If an approved program's graduate passage rate is 334 |
|---|
| 504 | | - | below 30 percent in a calendar year, the program must reimburse 335 |
|---|
| 505 | | - | the total cost of tuition and fees paid by each student who 336 |
|---|
| 506 | | - | failed to pass the National Council of State Boards of Nursing 337 |
|---|
| 507 | | - | Licensing Examination as a first -time test taker in that 338 |
|---|
| 508 | | - | calendar year. The program must outline its plan for meeting 339 |
|---|
| 509 | | - | this requirement in its written remediation plan under 340 |
|---|
| 510 | | - | subparagraph (a)2. 341 |
|---|
| 511 | | - | (f) Duly authorized agents or employees of the department 342 |
|---|
| 512 | | - | may conduct onsite evaluations or inspections at all regular 343 |
|---|
| 513 | | - | hours of operation to verify that approved programs or 344 |
|---|
| 514 | | - | accredited programs are in full compliance with this chapter, or 345 |
|---|
| 515 | | - | to determine whether this chapter or s. 456.072 is being 346 |
|---|
| 516 | | - | violated. The department may collect any necessary evidence 347 |
|---|
| 517 | | - | needed to verify compliance with this chapter or for prosecution 348 |
|---|
| 518 | | - | as deemed necessary. The failure of a program to allow an onsite 349 |
|---|
| 519 | | - | evaluation or inspection is deemed a violation of a legal 350 |
|---|
| 495 | + | shall adopt rules that prescribe the format for sub mitting 326 |
|---|
| 496 | + | program applications under subsection (1) and annual reports 327 |
|---|
| 497 | + | under subsection (3), to enforce and administer subsection (5), 328 |
|---|
| 498 | + | and to administer the documentation of the accreditation of 329 |
|---|
| 499 | + | nursing education programs under subsection (11). The board may 330 |
|---|
| 500 | + | adopt rules relating to the nursing curriculum, including rules 331 |
|---|
| 501 | + | relating to the uses and limitations of simulation technology , 332 |
|---|
| 502 | + | and rules relating to the criteria to qualify for an extension 333 |
|---|
| 503 | + | of time to meet the accreditation requirements under paragraph 334 |
|---|
| 504 | + | (11)(f). The board may not impose any condition or requirement 335 |
|---|
| 505 | + | on an educational institution submitting a program application, 336 |
|---|
| 506 | + | an approved program, or an accredited program, except as 337 |
|---|
| 507 | + | expressly provided in this section. 338 |
|---|
| 508 | + | (10) IMPLEMENTATION STUDY. —The Florida Center for Nursing 339 |
|---|
| 509 | + | shall study the administration of this section and submit 340 |
|---|
| 510 | + | reports to the Governor, the President of the Senate, and the 341 |
|---|
| 511 | + | Speaker of the House of Representatives annually by January 30. 342 |
|---|
| 512 | + | The annual reports shall address the previous acad emic year; 343 |
|---|
| 513 | + | provide data on the measures specified in paragraphs (a) and 344 |
|---|
| 514 | + | (b), as such data becomes available; and include an evaluation 345 |
|---|
| 515 | + | of such data for purposes of determining whether this section is 346 |
|---|
| 516 | + | increasing the availability of nursing education program s and 347 |
|---|
| 517 | + | the production of quality nurses. The department and each 348 |
|---|
| 518 | + | approved program or accredited program shall comply with 349 |
|---|
| 519 | + | requests for data from the Florida Center for Nursing. 350 |
|---|
| 532 | | - | obligation imposed by the board or th e department. 351 |
|---|
| 533 | | - | (8) RULEMAKING.—The board does not have rulemaking 352 |
|---|
| 534 | | - | authority to administer this section, except that the board 353 |
|---|
| 535 | | - | shall adopt rules that prescribe the format for submitting 354 |
|---|
| 536 | | - | program applications under subsection (1) and annual reports 355 |
|---|
| 537 | | - | under subsection (3), and to administer the documentation of the 356 |
|---|
| 538 | | - | accreditation of nursing education programs under subsection 357 |
|---|
| 539 | | - | (11). By December 31, 2025, the board shall adopt rules to 358 |
|---|
| 540 | | - | conduct investigations and take actions consistent with 359 |
|---|
| 541 | | - | subsection (2) and to en force and administer subsection (5). The 360 |
|---|
| 542 | | - | board may adopt rules relating to the nursing curriculum, 361 |
|---|
| 543 | | - | including rules relating to the uses and limitations of 362 |
|---|
| 544 | | - | simulation technology , and rules relating to the criteria to 363 |
|---|
| 545 | | - | qualify for an extension of time to meet the accreditation 364 |
|---|
| 546 | | - | requirements under paragraph (11)(f) . The board may not impose 365 |
|---|
| 547 | | - | any condition or requirement on an educational institution 366 |
|---|
| 548 | | - | submitting a program application, an approved program, or an 367 |
|---|
| 549 | | - | accredited program, except as expressly provided in th is 368 |
|---|
| 550 | | - | section. 369 |
|---|
| 551 | | - | (10) IMPLEMENTATION STUDY. —The Florida Center for Nursing 370 |
|---|
| 552 | | - | shall study the administration of this section and submit 371 |
|---|
| 553 | | - | reports to the Governor, the President of the Senate, and the 372 |
|---|
| 554 | | - | Speaker of the House of Representatives annually by January 30. 373 |
|---|
| 555 | | - | The annual reports shall address the previous academic year; 374 |
|---|
| 556 | | - | provide data on the measures specified in paragraphs (a) and 375 |
|---|
| 532 | + | (a) The Florida Center for Nursing shall evaluate program -351 |
|---|
| 533 | + | specific data for ea ch approved program and accredited program 352 |
|---|
| 534 | + | conducted in the state, including, but not limited to: 353 |
|---|
| 535 | + | 1. The number of programs and student slots available. 354 |
|---|
| 536 | + | 2. The number of student applications submitted, the 355 |
|---|
| 537 | + | number of qualified applicants, and the number of students 356 |
|---|
| 538 | + | accepted. 357 |
|---|
| 539 | + | 3. The number of program graduates. 358 |
|---|
| 540 | + | 4. Program retention rates of students tracked from 359 |
|---|
| 541 | + | program entry to graduation. 360 |
|---|
| 542 | + | 5. Program exit examination results. 361 |
|---|
| 543 | + | 6. The number of students offered remediation due to exit 362 |
|---|
| 544 | + | examination performance and the number of students who completed 363 |
|---|
| 545 | + | remediation. 364 |
|---|
| 546 | + | 7. The impact of exit examinations and remediation on 365 |
|---|
| 547 | + | graduation rates and graduate passage rates on the National 366 |
|---|
| 548 | + | Council of State Boards of Nursing Licensing Examination. 367 |
|---|
| 549 | + | 8.5. Graduate passage rates on the National Council of 368 |
|---|
| 550 | + | State Boards of Nursing Licensing Examination. 369 |
|---|
| 551 | + | 9.6. The number of graduates who become employed as 370 |
|---|
| 552 | + | practical or professional nurses in the state. 371 |
|---|
| 553 | + | (b) The Florida Center for Nursing shall evaluate the 372 |
|---|
| 554 | + | board's implementation of the: 373 |
|---|
| 555 | + | 1. Program application approval process, including, but 374 |
|---|
| 556 | + | not limited to, the number of program applications submitted 375 |
|---|
| 569 | | - | (b), as such data becomes available; and include an evaluation 376 |
|---|
| 570 | | - | of such data for purposes of determining whether this section is 377 |
|---|
| 571 | | - | increasing the availability of nursing education programs and 378 |
|---|
| 572 | | - | the production of quality nurses. The department and each 379 |
|---|
| 573 | | - | approved program or accredited program shall comply with 380 |
|---|
| 574 | | - | requests for data from the Florida Center for Nursing. 381 |
|---|
| 575 | | - | (a) The Florida Center for N ursing shall evaluate program -382 |
|---|
| 576 | | - | specific data for each approved program and accredited program 383 |
|---|
| 577 | | - | conducted in the state, including, but not limited to: 384 |
|---|
| 578 | | - | 1. The number of programs and student slots available. 385 |
|---|
| 579 | | - | 2. The number of student applications submitted, the 386 |
|---|
| 580 | | - | number of qualified applicants, and the number of students 387 |
|---|
| 581 | | - | accepted. 388 |
|---|
| 582 | | - | 3. The number of program graduates. 389 |
|---|
| 583 | | - | 4. Program retention rates of students tracked from 390 |
|---|
| 584 | | - | program entry to graduation. 391 |
|---|
| 585 | | - | 5. Program exit examination results. 392 |
|---|
| 586 | | - | 6. The number of students offered remediation due to exit 393 |
|---|
| 587 | | - | examination performance and the number of students who completed 394 |
|---|
| 588 | | - | remediation. 395 |
|---|
| 589 | | - | 7. The impact of exit examinations and remediation on 396 |
|---|
| 590 | | - | graduation rates and graduate passage rates on the National 397 |
|---|
| 591 | | - | Council of State Boar ds of Nursing Licensing Examination. 398 |
|---|
| 592 | | - | 8.5. Graduate passage rates on the National Council of 399 |
|---|
| 593 | | - | State Boards of Nursing Licensing Examination. 400 |
|---|
| 569 | + | under subsection (1), the number of program applications 376 |
|---|
| 570 | + | approved and denied by the board under subsection (2), the 377 |
|---|
| 571 | + | number of denials of program applications reviewed under chapter 378 |
|---|
| 572 | + | 120, and a description of the outcomes of those reviews. 379 |
|---|
| 573 | + | 2. Accountability processes, including, but not limited 380 |
|---|
| 574 | + | to, the number of programs on probationary status, the number of 381 |
|---|
| 575 | + | approved programs for which the program director is required to 382 |
|---|
| 576 | + | appear before the board under subsection (5), the number of 383 |
|---|
| 577 | + | approved programs terminated by the board, the number of 384 |
|---|
| 578 | + | terminations reviewed under chapter 120, and a description of 385 |
|---|
| 579 | + | the outcomes of those revi ews. 386 |
|---|
| 580 | + | (c) The Florida Center for Nursing shall complete an 387 |
|---|
| 581 | + | annual assessment of compliance by programs with the 388 |
|---|
| 582 | + | accreditation requirements of subsection (11), include in the 389 |
|---|
| 583 | + | assessment a determination of the accreditation process status 390 |
|---|
| 584 | + | for each program, and submit the assessment as part of the 391 |
|---|
| 585 | + | reports required by this subsection. 392 |
|---|
| 586 | + | (11) ACCREDITATION REQUIRED. — 393 |
|---|
| 587 | + | (f) An approved nursing education program may, no sooner 394 |
|---|
| 588 | + | than 90 days before the deadline for meeting the accreditation 395 |
|---|
| 589 | + | requirements of this sub section, apply to the board for an 396 |
|---|
| 590 | + | extension of the accreditation deadline for a period which does 397 |
|---|
| 591 | + | not exceed 2 years. An additional extension may not be granted. 398 |
|---|
| 592 | + | In order to be eligible for the extension, the approved program 399 |
|---|
| 593 | + | must establish that it has a graduate passage rate of 60 percent 400 |
|---|
| 606 | | - | 9.6. The number of graduates who become employed as 401 |
|---|
| 607 | | - | practical or professional nurses in the state. 402 |
|---|
| 608 | | - | (b) The Florida Center for Nursing shall evaluate the 403 |
|---|
| 609 | | - | board's implementation of the: 404 |
|---|
| 610 | | - | 1. Program application approval process, including, but 405 |
|---|
| 611 | | - | not limited to, the number of program applications submitted 406 |
|---|
| 612 | | - | under subsection (1), the number of program applications 407 |
|---|
| 613 | | - | approved and denied by the board under subsection (2), the 408 |
|---|
| 614 | | - | number of denials of program applications reviewed under chapter 409 |
|---|
| 615 | | - | 120, and a description of the outcomes of those reviews. 410 |
|---|
| 616 | | - | 2. Accountability processes, including, but not limited 411 |
|---|
| 617 | | - | to, the number of progra ms on probationary status, the number of 412 |
|---|
| 618 | | - | approved programs for which the program director is required to 413 |
|---|
| 619 | | - | appear before the board under subsection (5), the number of 414 |
|---|
| 620 | | - | approved programs terminated by the board, the number of 415 |
|---|
| 621 | | - | terminations reviewed under chapte r 120, and a description of 416 |
|---|
| 622 | | - | the outcomes of those reviews. 417 |
|---|
| 623 | | - | (c) The Florida Center for Nursing shall complete an 418 |
|---|
| 624 | | - | annual assessment of compliance by programs with the 419 |
|---|
| 625 | | - | accreditation requirements of subsection (11), include in the 420 |
|---|
| 626 | | - | assessment a determination of the accreditation process status 421 |
|---|
| 627 | | - | for each program, and submit the assessment as part of the 422 |
|---|
| 628 | | - | reports required by this subsection. 423 |
|---|
| 629 | | - | (11) ACCREDITATION REQUIRED. — 424 |
|---|
| 630 | | - | (f) An approved nursing education program may, no sooner 425 |
|---|
| 631 | | - | |
|---|
| 632 | | - | CS/HB 919 2025 |
|---|
| 633 | | - | |
|---|
| 634 | | - | |
|---|
| 635 | | - | |
|---|
| 636 | | - | CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions. |
|---|
| 637 | | - | hb919-01-c1 |
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| 638 | | - | Page 18 of 19 |
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| 639 | | - | F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S |
|---|
| 640 | | - | |
|---|
| 641 | | - | |
|---|
| 642 | | - | |
|---|
| 643 | | - | than 90 days before the deadline for meeting the accreditation 426 |
|---|
| 644 | | - | requirements of this subsection, apply to the board for an 427 |
|---|
| 645 | | - | extension of the accreditation deadline for a period which does 428 |
|---|
| 646 | | - | not exceed 2 years. An additional extension may not be granted. 429 |
|---|
| 647 | | - | In order to be eligible for the extensi on, the approved program 430 |
|---|
| 648 | | - | must establish that it has a graduate passage rate of 60 percent 431 |
|---|
| 649 | | - | or higher on the National Council of State Boards of Nursing 432 |
|---|
| 650 | | - | Licensing Examination for the most recent calendar year and must 433 |
|---|
| 651 | | - | meet a majority of the board's additiona l criteria, including, 434 |
|---|
| 652 | | - | but not limited to, all of the following: 435 |
|---|
| 653 | | - | 1. A student retention rate of 60 percent or higher for 436 |
|---|
| 654 | | - | the most recent calendar year. 437 |
|---|
| 655 | | - | 2. A graduate work placement rate of 70 percent or higher 438 |
|---|
| 656 | | - | for the most recent calendar year. 439 |
|---|
| 657 | | - | 3. The program has applied for approval or been approved 440 |
|---|
| 658 | | - | by an institutional or programmatic accreditor recognized by the 441 |
|---|
| 659 | | - | United States Department of Education. 442 |
|---|
| 660 | | - | 4. The program is in full compliance with subsections (1) 443 |
|---|
| 661 | | - | and (3) and paragraph (5)(b). 444 |
|---|
| 662 | | - | 5. The program is not currently in its second year of 445 |
|---|
| 663 | | - | probationary status under subsection (5). 446 |
|---|
| 664 | | - | 447 |
|---|
| 665 | | - | The applicable deadline under this paragraph is tolled from the 448 |
|---|
| 666 | | - | date on which an approved program applies for an extension until 449 |
|---|
| 667 | | - | the date on which the board issues a d ecision on the requested 450 |
|---|
| 668 | | - | |
|---|
| 669 | | - | CS/HB 919 2025 |
|---|
| 670 | | - | |
|---|
| 671 | | - | |
|---|
| 672 | | - | |
|---|
| 673 | | - | CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions. |
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| 674 | | - | hb919-01-c1 |
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| 675 | | - | Page 19 of 19 |
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| 676 | | - | F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S |
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| 677 | | - | |
|---|
| 678 | | - | |
|---|
| 679 | | - | |
|---|
| 680 | | - | extension. 451 |
|---|
| 681 | | - | Section 2. This act shall take effect July 1, 2025. 452 |
|---|
| 606 | + | or higher on the National Council of State Boards of Nursing 401 |
|---|
| 607 | + | Licensing Examination for the most recent calendar year and must 402 |
|---|
| 608 | + | meet a majority of the board's additional criteria, including, 403 |
|---|
| 609 | + | but not limited to, all of the following: 404 |
|---|
| 610 | + | 1. A student retention rate of 60 percent or higher for 405 |
|---|
| 611 | + | the most recent calendar year. 406 |
|---|
| 612 | + | 2. A graduate work placement rate of 70 percent or higher 407 |
|---|
| 613 | + | for the most recent calendar year. 408 |
|---|
| 614 | + | 3. The program has applied for approval or been approved 409 |
|---|
| 615 | + | by an institutional or programmatic accreditor recognized by the 410 |
|---|
| 616 | + | United States Department of Education. 411 |
|---|
| 617 | + | 4. The program is in full compliance with subsections (1) 412 |
|---|
| 618 | + | and (3) and paragraph (5)(b). 413 |
|---|
| 619 | + | 5. The program is not currently in its second year of 414 |
|---|
| 620 | + | probationary status under subsection (5). 415 |
|---|
| 621 | + | 416 |
|---|
| 622 | + | The applicable deadline under this paragraph is tolled from the 417 |
|---|
| 623 | + | date on which an approved program applies for an extension until 418 |
|---|
| 624 | + | the date on which the board issues a decision on the requested 419 |
|---|
| 625 | + | extension. 420 |
|---|
| 626 | + | Section 2. This act shall take effect July 1, 2025. 421 |
|---|