D.C. Mun. Regs. tit. 17, r. 17-5605

Current through Register 71, No. 45, November 7, 2024

Rule 17-5605 - CONDITIONAL APPROVAL

5605.1

The Board may place a program with initial approval on conditional approval status for any of the following:

(a) The percentage of the NCLEX pass rate is less than eighty percent (80%) for first-time test takers in pre-licensure programs;

(b) The certification pass rate is less than eighty percent (80%) for first time test takes in advanced practice programs;

(c) The program has not received accreditation from a national nursing accrediting organization recognized by the U.S. Department of Education;

(d) The controlling educational institution awarding the relevant degrees or diplomas does not have accreditation from a regional accrediting organization recognized by the U.S. Department of Education;

(e) The program failed to demonstrate continued ability to meet the standards and requirements of this chapter; or

(f) The program failed to demonstrate compliance with the requirements of this chapter during the site visit.

5605.2

Conditional approval status denotes that certain conditions must be met within a designated time period for the program to be granted full approval.

5605.3

A Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) or Advanced Practice that has been granted conditional approval shall be allotted a maximum of four (4) years to correct deficiencies for the purpose of being granted full approval.

5605.4

An associate degree (AD) or RN-to-BSN program that has been granted conditional approval shall be allotted a maximum of three (3) years to correct deficiencies for the purpose of being granted full approval.

5605.5

A Practical Nurse (PN) program that has been granted conditional approval shall be allotted a maximum of two (2) years to correct deficiencies for the purpose of being granted full approval.

5605.6

Under conditional approval status, the program may continue to operate while correcting the identified deficiencies and working toward meeting the conditions for full approval.

5605.7

The first year that the annual licensure or certification pass rate for first time test takers is less than eighty percent (80%):

(a) The Board shall send a written notice to the program of the following:

(1) The program has failed to meet the requirements and standards of this chapter; and

(2) The program will be placed on conditional approval status for an allotted time pursuant to § 5605.3.

(b) The program's nurse administrator shall submit to the Board, within sixty (60) calendar days from receipt of the Board's written notice, the following:

(1) A report analyzing aspects of the education program, identifying areas believed to be contributing to the unacceptable performance; and

(2) An action plan to correct the deficiencies, to be approved by the Board.

5605.8

The Board may place limitations on the admittance of students where the pass rate for a program's first-time test takers falls below eighty percent (80%).

5605.9

The second successive year that the pass rate for a program's first-time licensure or certification test takers is less than eighty percent (80%), the program's nurse administrator shall submit to the Board, within ninety (90) calendar days or the time period specified by the board from receipt of the Board's written notice, the following:

(a) Proof that the program has obtained the services of an external consultant, to be approved by the Board;

(b) A report that is based on the findings of the consultant, which analyzes all aspects of the education program and identifies areas that contributed to the unacceptable performance; and

(c) An action plan to correct the deficiencies, to be approved by the Board.

5605.10

After the Board determines that a program is out of compliance with the requirements and standards of this chapter, the Board may, in its discretion, prohibit a program that has conditional approval status from admitting new students until the program has been restored to full approval status. The program shall be given ninety (90) days' notice.

5605.11

Students who graduate from conditionally accredited programs shall be eligible to take the NCLEX in the District of Columbia and upon passing the examination licensed in the District of Columbia.

5605.12

If the program fails to meet the specified conditions within the designated time period, the Board may withdraw approval and the program shall be removed from the Board's list of approved programs.

5605.13

The Board may perform or assign a designee to perform announced or unannounced visits of the facility at any point during their conditional approval status to determine the program's compliance or its ability to do so.

D.C. Mun. Regs. tit. 17, r. 17-5605

Final Rulemaking published at 51 DCR 7190 (July 23, 2004); as amended by Final Rulemaking published at 54 DCR 2116 (March 9, 2007); amended by Final Rulemaking published at 62 DCR 16319 (12/25/2015); amended by Final Rulemaking published at 68 DCR 12447 (11/26/2021)