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D.C. Municipal Regulations (Last Updated: September 13, 2017) |
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Title 17. BUSINESS, OCCUPATIONS, AND PROFESSIONALS |
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Chapter 17-56. NURSING SCHOOLS AND PROGRAMS |
Section 17-5605. CONDITIONAL APPROVAL
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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 program’s first time NCLEX test takers passing the examination is less than eighty percent (80%) as determined by the cumulative results of the first two (2) quarters following graduation of the first class.
(b) The program has not received accreditation from a U.S. Department of Education recognized national nursing accrediting organization;
(c) The controlling educational institution does not have regional or national U.S. Department of Education accreditation;
(d)The program failed to demonstrate continued ability to meet the standards and requirements of this chapter; or
(e)The program failed to demonstrate compliance with the requirements of this chapter during the site visit.
5605.2The Board may place a nursing program on conditional approval status if it has failed to maintain the requirements and standards of this chapter.
5605.3 Conditional approval status denotes that certain conditions must be met within a designated time period for the program to be granted full approval.
5605.4A 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.
5605.5An Associate Degree (AD) 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.
5605.6A 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.
5605.7Under conditional approval status, the program may continue to operate while correcting the identified deficiencies and working toward meeting the conditions for full approval.
5605.8The first year that the annual licensure or certification pass rate for first time test takers is less than seventy five percent (75%):
(a)The Board will send written notice to the program of the following:
(1) The program has failed to meet the requirements and standards of this chapter;
(2) The program will be placed on conditional approval status for an allotted time pursuant to § 5605.3; and
(3) The Board or its designee may perform an announced or unannounced on-site visit to the facility and provide a report to the Board.
(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.
5605.9The 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 Board shall send written notice to the program of the following:
(a) The program has failed to meet the requirements and standards of this chapter;
(1) The program will continue on conditional approval status for an allotted time pursuant to § 5605.3;
(2) The Board or its designee will perform an announced or unannounced on-site visit to the facility and provide a report to the Board; and
(b) Limitations may be placed on admittance of students.
5605.10The 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.
5605.11After 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.
5605.12Students 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.
5605.13If 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.