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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 who has
authority and responsibility over the unit and advocates for equity
between the unit and other institutional units. 1.6
Nursing program
coordinators and lead faculty for program tracks are academically
qualified, meet national guideline criteria, and have authority and
responsibility over the program/track. 1.7
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. 1.8
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: 1.9
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 academically and experientially qualified;
the majority of faculty hold earned doctorates. 2.2
Faculty credentials reflect appropriate advanced
practice certifications and expertise in their area(s) of teaching. 2.3
The number and utilization of faculty (full- and
part-time) ensure that program outcomes are achieved. 2.4
Faculty (full- and part-time) performance reflects
scholarship and evidence-based practice. 2.5
The number, utilization, and credentials of non-nurse
faculty and staff are sufficient to achieve the program goals and
outcomes. 2.6
Systematic assessment of faculty (full- and part-time)
performance demonstrates competencies that are consistent with program
goals and outcomes. 2.7
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: 2.8
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 master’s program or post-master’s
certificates, 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. 3.5
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
Program outcomes
are congruent with established professional standards, curriculum
guidelines, and advanced nursing practice competencies as applicable. 4.2
The curriculum is
developed by the faculty and regularly reviewed for rigor and currency. 4.3
The curriculum is
designed to prepare graduates to be information literate and to practice
from an evidence-based approach in their advanced practice role. 4.4
The curriculum is
designed so that graduates of the program are able to practice in a
culturally and ethnically diverse global society. 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 outcomes. 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 are evidence based and reflect
contemporary practice. 4.9
Post-Master’s certificate programs follow national
standards and guidelines and demonstrate that students have sufficient
didactic and clinical experiences to meet role expectations and
certification requirements. For nursing education units
engaged in distance education, the additional criterion is applicable: 4.10
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
Program
assessment is ongoing and findings demonstrate the achievement 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
The program
demonstrates evidence of achievement in meeting the following program
outcomes: -
Performance on licensure exam -
Performance on certification exams -
Program completion -
Program satisfaction -
Professional/Job placement 6.4.1
For entry-level master’s
programs, the program licensure exam pass rates will be at or above the
national mean. 6.4.2
Eighty percent of first-time
candidates for certification exams will pass the exams. 6.4.3
Eighty percent of
students will graduate from their program within 1½ times the length of
the program. 6.4.4
Eighty percent of graduates
and their employers will express satisfaction with the program. 6.4.5
Eighty percent of those
seeking employment will be involved in role-related professional practice
at one year post-graduation. For nursing education units
engaged in distance education, the additional criterion is applicable: 6.5
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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