21 NCAC 36 .0321. CURRICULUM

(a)  Nursing program curriculum shall:

(1)           be planned by nursing program faculty;

(2)           reflect the stated program philosophy, purposes, and objectives pursuant to 21 NCAC 36 .0302(a)(2);

(3)           be consistent with the Statutes and Rules governing the practice of nursing;

(4)           define the level of performance required to pass each course in the curriculum;

(5)           enable the student to develop the nursing knowledge, skills and competencies necessary for the level, scope and all applicable Rules as defined in 21 NCAC 36 .0221, .0224, .0225, and .0231 consistent with the level of licensure; and

(6)           include content in the biological, physical, social and behavioral sciences to provide a foundation for safe and effective nursing practice.

(b)  Didactic content and supervised clinical experience appropriate to program type shall include:

(1)           Using informatics to communicate, manage knowledge, mitigate error and support decision making,

(2)           Employing evidence-based practice to integrate best research with clinical expertise and client values for optimal care, including skills to identify and apply best practices to nursing care by:

(A)          providing client-centered, culturally competent care;

(B)          respecting client differences, values, preferences and expressed needs;

(C)          involving clients in decision-making and care management;

(D)          coordinating and managing continuous client care consistent with the level of licensure.  This includes demonstration of the ability to supervise others and provide leadership of the profession appropriate for program type; and

(E)           promoting healthy lifestyles for clients and populations.

(3)           Working in interdisciplinary teams to cooperate, collaborate, communicate and integrate client care and health promotion.

(4)           Participating in quality improvement processes to measure client outcomes, identify hazards and errors, and develop changes in processes of client care.

(c)  Clinical experience shall be comprised of sufficient hours to accomplish the curriculum, shall be supervised by qualified faculty pursuant to 21 NCAC 36 .0318 and shall ensure students' ability to practice at an entry level.

(d)  All student clinical experiences, including those with preceptors, shall be directed by nursing faculty.

(e)  By January 1, 2008, a focused client care experience with a minimum of 120 hours shall be provided in the final year of curriculum implementation for programs preparing registered nurses.

(f)   Beginning January 1, 2008, a focused client care experience with a minimum of 90 hours shall be provided in the final semester of curriculum implementation for programs preparing practical nurses.

(g)  Learning experiences and methods of instruction, including distance education methods, shall be consistent with the written curriculum plan and demonstrate logical progression.

(h)  Objectives for each course shall indicate the knowledge and skills expected of the students.  These objectives shall be stated to:

(1)           indicate the relationship between the classroom learning and the application of this learning in the clinical laboratory experience;

(2)           serve as criteria for the selection of the types of and settings for learning experiences; and

(3)           serve as the basis for evaluating student performance.

(i)  Student course syllabi shall include a description and outline of content, learning environments and activities, course placement, allocation of time, and methods of evaluation of student performance, including clinical evaluation tools.

(j)  Each course shall be implemented in accordance with the student course syllabus.

(k)  Requests for approval of changes in, or expansion of, the program accompanied by all required documentation shall be submitted on the form provided by the Board at least 30 days prior to implementation for approval by the Board.  Criteria for approval include the availability of classrooms, laboratories, clinical placements, equipment and supplies and faculty sufficient to implement the curriculum to an increased number of students.  Approval is required: for any increase in enrollment that exceeds, by more than 10 students, the maximum number approved by the Board.  Requests for expansion are considered only for programs with Full Approval status that demonstrate at least a three-year average student retention rate equal to or higher than the state average retention rate for program type.

(l)  The nursing education program shall notify the Board of:

(1)           alternative or additional program schedules; and

(2)           planned decrease in the Board-approved student enrollment number to accurately reflect program capacity.

 

History Note:        Authority G.S. 90‑171.23(b)(8); 90‑171.38;

Eff. February 1, 1976;

Amended Eff. June 1, 1992; January 1, 1989; January 1, 1984;

Temporary Amendment Eff. October 11, 2001;

Amended Eff. December 1, 2005; August 1, 2002.