067-00-90 Ark. Code R. § 1
For the purpose of this Chapter, the following definitions apply:
This approval may be accorded to any program previously having Initial or Full Approval if conditions within the program are found to be unsatisfactory. Recommendations for improvement shall be met within allotted time set by the Board to avoid termination.
The Board may withdraw any type of approval from any program if survey visits/reports identify continuing deficiencies within the allotted time.
The program of practical nursing should be an integral part of the structure and organization of the sponsoring institution.
Functional relationships between the practical nursing program and overall administration shall be clearly defined on an organizational chart and reflected in job descriptions.
All schools of practical nursing shall have a chairman who shall be a registered professional nurse.
There shall be evidence that there is a stable source of funds allocated and budgeted for the effective operation of the program.
Clinical facilities providing clinical laboratory experiences to meet the stated educational objectives of the practical nursing program must have:
The sponsoring institution shall establish formal relationships with clinical facilities.
All hospitals in which student practical nurses receive their clinical experience shall:
Long term care facilities must be approved by the Office of Long Term Care or other appropriate bodies.
Facilities necessary for educational programs are:
Information about the practical nursing program shall be provided by the sponsoring institution.
The sponsoring institution shall provide general administrative leadership and a qualified practical nursing faculty.
This organization shall have written policies and rules of procedure established by the faculty and in harmony with the philosophy and objectives of the program. All members of the faculty shall participate in the activities of the organization.
Advanced standing may be granted for previous educational experience by granting credit for specific courses through testing, i.e., teacher-made final examinations, practical examinations, achievement tests.
Transfer students may be accepted. The school shall evaluate transcript of work completed for transfer of specific course credits.
A record system essential to the operation of the program shall be maintained. Records should be safely stored to prevent loss by destruction and unauthorized use.
When a school closes, the sponsoring institution receiving the financial support for the school shall be responsible for the safekeeping of the student records.
If the sponsoring institution also closes, legal advice should be obtained concerning the permanent safekeeping of the records of the program.
The Arkansas State Board of Nursing shall be informed concerning the placement of these records.
Each newly appointed faculty member shall file a record of preparation and experience on forms provided by the Board. The Board should be informed of additional preparation acquired by each faculty member after the initial record is submitted.
Programs shall submit to the Board a quarterly report indicating admissions, graduations and withdrawals of students within the quarter. The report shall also indicate any changes in the faculty. Reports are due in the Board office within the month following each calendar quarter.
Clinical facilities shall enter into a written agreement with the sponsoring institution with respect to the objectives and plans of the program. A copy of the current agreement shall be signed by the chairman of the nursing program, director of nursing service, and the administrator of the clinical facility.
Student final records, which are supplied by the Board, shall be submitted for all graduates who qualify to write the examination in Arkansas as soon as they have completed the curriculum. The student final record shall include statements of hours of instruction and clinical practice per course satisfactorily completed, bear the impression of the school seal, and the signature of the chairman of the program.
Student final records and applications shall not be notarized prior to the date of completion of the program and must be submitted to the Board office not later than thirty (30) days before the date of the licensing examination.
CURRICULUM
The entire curriculum should be so designed that qualified individuals are prepared to meet community nursing needs and to perform those functions which are generally recognized as being within the scope of practical nursing and where skill of registered nurses is not required. The purpose of the curriculum is to guide administrative and instructional staff in achieving the objectives of the school.
The purpose of the curriculum is to provide a plan of action. It offers the teacher direction as well as being a guide to persons responsible for selection of students, teachers, and educational resources.
Programs in practical nursing shall comply with the following minimum requirements:
Total learning experiences shall consist of not more than 40 hours nor less than 30 hours per week. Concurrent instruction of theory and practice is recommended. The faculty shall be responsible for all the learning experiences of the student and for the adequate supervision of practice throughout the entire curriculum. Patient census must be sufficient in each area to permit meaningful assignment to each student.
Differing curricula patterns may be developed, but the principle of planning a progressive sequence of learning opportunities for students of practical nursing will be common to all. Any program may choose to integrate a specific course throughout the curriculum; however, course outlines must show how all areas of content are included.
Broad areas of content are suggested which may be adapted to the individual programs. The following course content may be combined in other ways or under other titles.
INSTRUCTION AND EXPERIENCE | Theory Hours | Laboratory Practice Hours |
VOCATIONAL, LEGAL AND ETHICAL CONCEPTS | 16 | |
This includes personal development; ethical, legal and social responsibilities with the patient, family and co-workers; communication skills; vocational responsibilities of the practical nurse; nursing organizations; and local, state and national health resources. | ||
BODY STRUCTURE AND FUNCTION | 64 | |
This includes anatomy and physiology of the human body in all its systems-a foundation for understanding the principles of maintaining positive health, as well as understanding the deviations from the normal. | ||
NURSING OF THE GERIATRIC PATIENT | 16 | 48 |
This includes the normal aging process, characteristics of aging, special problems associated with aging, and experience in the care of the aging patient. | ||
NUTRITION IN HEALTH AND ILLNESS | 32 | |
This course includes the principles of good nutrition for all age groups and the principles of modifications for therapeutic purposes. Nutrition concepts are to be integrated throughout the entire curriculum. | ||
BASIC NURSING PRINCIPLES AND SKILLS | 160 | 96 |
This includes the fundamental principles, skills and attitudes needed to give nursing care and prevent spread of disease; common procedures used in the care of the sick and the development of the ability to adapt them to various situations with skill, safety, and comfort for the patient; first aid and CPR; and the development of an awareness of responsibility to make, report and record observations. | ||
NURSING OF ADULT PATIENTS WITH MEDICAL AND SURGICAL CONDITIONS | 128 | 504 |
This includes information about common conditions of illness and nursing care of patients in acute, subacute or convalescent stages of illness, of both short and long term duration, including nutrition and administration of drugs. | ||
NURSING OF CHILDREN | 32 | 48 |
This includes the principles of growth and development; nursing the infant through adolescence; the behavior of well and sick children. Observation and experience may be found in the nursery, physicians' offices, well-child conferences and other agencies. | ||
NURSING OF MOTHERS AND INFANTS | 32 | 72 |
This includes the principles and practices of nursing care during prenatal, labor, delivery, post partum and neonatal periods. | ||
MENTAL HEALTH AND CARE OF MENTALLY ILL | 16 | |
Includes an introduction of common conditions of mental illness, prevention of such conditions, and the care of patients suffering from abnormal mental and emotional responses. (Mental hygiene aspects should be integrated throughout the course.) | ||
PHARMACOLOGY | 64 | |
This includes a brief history of drugs, methods of administration, drugs commonly used in the treatment of illness, and such information as usual dosages, expected actions, side effects, contraindications, and points of observation following the administration of drugs. Formulas for conversion of measures from the apothecary to the metric system, as well as formulas for calculations of dosages for infants and children are included. | ||
TOTALS | 560 HOURS THEORY | 768 HOURS PRACTICE |
Flexibility and experimentation in the development, implementation, and evaluation of programs is encouraged. Major curriculum changes and minimum requirement variations will be considered and must be approved by the Arkansas State Board of Nursing.
067.00.90 Ark. Code R. § 001