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NLNAC 2008
STANDARDS AND CRITERIA STANDARD
1
Mission
and Administrative Capacity The
nursing education unit’s mission reflects the governing organization’s
core values and is congruent with its strategic goals and objectives.
The governing organization and program have administrative capacity
resulting in effective delivery of the nursing program and achievement of
identified outcomes. 1.1
The
mission/philosophy and outcomes of the nursing education unit are
congruent with those of the governing organization. 1.2
The governing
organization and nursing education unit ensure representation of students,
faculty, and administrators in ongoing governance activities. 1.3
Communities of
interest have input into program processes and decision making. 1.4
Partnerships
exist that promote excellence
in nursing education, enhance the profession, and benefit the community. 1.5
The nursing
education unit is administered by a doctorally prepared nurse. 1.6
The nurse
administrator has authority and responsibility for the development and
administration of the program and has adequate time and resources to
fulfill the role responsibilities. 1.7
With faculty
input, the nurse administrator has the authority to prepare and administer
the program budget and advocates for equity among the units of the
governing organization. 1.8
Policies of the
nursing education unit are comprehensive, provide for the welfare of
faculty and staff, and are consistent with those of the governing
organization; differences are justified by the goals and outcomes of the
nursing education unit. 1.9
Records reflect
that program complaints and grievances receive due process and include
evidence of resolution. For
nursing education units engaged in distance education, the additional
criterion is applicable: 1.10
Distance
education, as defined by the nursing education unit, is congruent with the
mission of the governing organization and the mission/philosophy of the
nursing education unit.
STANDARD
2 Faculty
and Staff Qualified faculty and
staff provide leadership and support necessary to attain the goals and
outcomes of the nursing education unit. 2.1
Faculty are credentialed with a minimum of a master’s
degree with a major in nursing and maintain expertise in their areas of
responsibility. 2.1.1
A minimum of 25% of the full-time faculty hold earned
doctorates. 2.1.2
Rationale is provided for
utilization of faculty who do not meet the minimum credential. 2.2
Faculty (full- and part-time) credentials meet governing
organization and state requirements. 2.3
Credentials of practice laboratory personnel are
commensurate with their level of responsibilities. 2.4
The number and utilization of faculty (full- and
part-time) ensure that program outcomes are achieved. 2.5
Faculty (full- and part-time) performance reflects
scholarship and evidence-based practice. 2.6
The number, utilization, and credentials of non-nurse
faculty and staff are sufficient to achieve the program goals and
outcomes. 2.7
Faculty (full- and part-time) are oriented and mentored
in their areas of responsibilities. 2.8
Systematic assessment of faculty (full- and part-time)
performance demonstrates competencies that are consistent with program
goals and outcomes. 2.9
Non-nurse faculty and staff performance is regularly reviewed
in accordance with the policies of the governing organization. For
nursing education units engaged in distance education, the additional
criterion is applicable: 2.10
Faculty (full- and part-time) engage in ongoing development and
receive support in distance education modalities including instructional
methods and evaluation.
STANDARD
3 Students Student policies,
development, and services support the goals and outcomes of the nursing
education unit. 3.1
Student policies of the nursing education unit are
congruent with those of the governing organization, publicly accessible,
non-discriminatory, and consistently applied; differences are justified by
the goals and outcomes of the nursing education unit. 3.2
Student services are commensurate with the needs of
students pursuing or completing the baccalaureate program, including those
receiving instruction using alternative methods of delivery. 3.3
Student educational and financial records are in
compliance with the policies of the governing organization and state and
federal guidelines. 3.4
Compliance with the Higher Education Reauthorization Act
Title IV eligibility and certification requirements is maintained. 3.4.1
A written, comprehensive student loan repayment program
addressing student loan information, counseling, monitoring, and
cooperation with lenders is available. 3.4.2
Students are informed of their ethical responsibilities regarding
financial assistance. 3.5
Integrity and consistency exist for all information
intended to inform the public, including the program’s accreditation
status and NLNAC contact information. 3.6
Changes in policies, procedures, and program information
are clearly and consistently communicated to students in a timely manner. 3.7
Orientation to technology is provided and technological support
is available to students, including those receiving instruction using
alternative methods of delivery. For
nursing education units engaged in distance education, the additional
criterion is applicable: 3.8
Information related to technology requirements and policies
specific to distance education is clear, accurate, consistent, and
accessible.
STANDARD
4 Curriculum The curriculum prepares
students to achieve the outcomes of the nursing education unit, including
safe practice in contemporary health care environments. 4.1
The curriculum
incorporates established professional standards, guidelines, and
competencies, and has clearly articulated student learning and program
outcomes. 4.2
The curriculum is
developed by the faculty and regularly reviewed for rigor and currency. 4.3
The student
learning outcomes are used to organize the curriculum, guide the delivery
of instruction, direct learning activities, and evaluate student progress. 4.4
The curriculum
includes cultural, ethnic, and socially diverse concepts and may also
include experiences from regional, national, or global perspectives. 4.5
Evaluation
methodologies are varied, reflect established professional and practice
competencies, and measure the achievement of student learning and program
outcomes. 4.6
The curriculum
and instructional processes reflect educational theory, interdisciplinary
collaboration, research, and best practice standards while allowing for
innovation, flexibility, and technological advances. 4.7
Program length is
congruent with the attainment of identified outcomes and consistent with
the policies of the governing organization, state and national standards,
and best practices. 4.8
Practice learning environments are appropriate for
student learning and support the achievement of student learning and
program outcomes; current written agreements specify expectations for all
parties and ensure the protection of students. 4.8.1
Student clinical experiences reflect current best practices and
nationally established patient health and safety goals. For
nursing education units engaged in distance education, the additional
criterion is applicable: 4.9
Learning activities, instructional materials, and
evaluation methods are appropriate for the delivery format and consistent
with student learning outcomes.
STANDARD
5 Resources Fiscal, physical, and
learning resources promote the achievement of the goals and outcomes of
the nursing education unit. 5.1
Fiscal resources are sufficient to ensure the
achievement of the nursing education unit outcomes and commensurate with
the resources of the governing organization. 5.2
Physical resources (classrooms, laboratories, offices,
etc.) are sufficient to ensure the achievement of the nursing education
unit outcomes and meet the needs of faculty, staff, and students. 5.3
Learning resources and technology are selected by the
faculty and are comprehensive, current, and accessible to faculty and
students, including those engaged in alternative methods of delivery. For nursing education units
engaged in distance education, the additional criterion is applicable: 5.4
Fiscal, physical, technological, and learning resources
are sufficient to meet the needs of faculty and students and ensure that
students achieve learning outcomes.
STANDARD
6 Outcomes Evaluation of student
learning demonstrates that graduates have achieved identified competencies
consistent with the institutional mission and professional standards and
that the outcomes of the nursing education unit have been achieved. 6.1
The systematic
plan for evaluation emphasizes the ongoing assessment and evaluation of
the student learning and program outcomes of the nursing education unit
and NLNAC standards. 6.2
Aggregated
evaluation findings inform program decision making and are used to
maintain or improve student learning outcomes. 6.3
Evaluation
findings are shared with communities of interest. 6.4
Graduates
demonstrate achievement of competencies appropriate to role preparation. 6.5
The program
demonstrates evidence of achievement in meeting the following program
outcomes: - Performance on licensure exam - Program completion - Program satisfaction -
Job placement 6.5.1
The licensure exam pass
rates will be at or above the national mean. 6.5.2
Expected levels of
achievement for program completion are determined by the faculty and
reflect program demographics, academic progression, and program history. 6.5.3
Program satisfaction
measures (qualitative and quantitative) address graduates and their
employers. 6.5.4
Job placement rates are
addressed through quantified measures that reflect program demographics
and history. For nursing education units
engaged in distance education, the additional criterion is applicable: 6.6
The systematic
plan for evaluation encompasses students enrolled in distance education
and includes evidence that student learning and program outcomes are
comparable for all students. |
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