| (a) Applications will be approved based on the innovative application to a professional nursing program's ability to meet the purpose of the rules. Selection criteria shall be based on: (1) Program quality as determined by the Board; (2) Description of the pilot program, including the body of knowledge that has influenced the development of the proposed program and the financial support for the proposed program; (3) Methodology of the pilot program, including research objectives and qualitative and/or quantitative metrics used to evaluate the program; (4) Pilot program outcomes, including how the success of the program will improve nursing education and enhance nursing practice; (5) Program innovation; and (6) Controls to maintain quality education: (A) Methods shall be incorporated into the plan to ensure that students in innovative programs receive an equivalent, quality education as do students in standard programs (comparative group); (B) Ongoing evaluation shall be implemented to determine the students' progress in the innovative program; and (C) If evidence indicates that students are not meeting objectives in innovative programs, a plan for corrective measures to re-mediate must be in place. (7) Other factors including financial ability to perform the innovative professional nursing education pilot program, State and regional needs and priorities, ability to continue the professional nursing education pilot program after the initial application period, past performance of the applicant, and other related factors as determined by the Board. (b) Programs shall have a defined length, not to exceed two years. Programs may be extended upon approval of a written application submitted to the Board. |
