# Title 54 — Board of Nursing

## Article 54-03.2 — Standards for Nursing Education Programs

## Chapter 54-03.2-10 — Innovation in Nursing Education

### § 54-03.2-10-01. Statement of intent.

A nursing education program may apply to implement an innovative approach by complying with
the provisions in this chapter. Nursing education programs approved to implement innovative
approaches shall continue to provide quality nursing education that prepares graduates to practice
safely, competently, and ethically within the scope of practice as defined in North Dakota Century Code
chapter 43-12.1. The rules set forth in this chapter are intended to:
1. Foster innovative models of nursing education to address the changing needs in health care;
2. Assure that innovative approaches are conducted in a manner consistent within the board's
role of protecting the public; and
3. Assure that innovative approaches conform to the quality outcome standards and core
education criteria established by the board.
History: Effective April 1, 2011.
General Authority: NDCC 43-12.1-08
Law Implemented: NDCC 43-12.1-17
### § 54-03.2-10-02. Eligibility.

A nursing education program is eligible to apply under the following conditions:
1. The nursing education program shall hold full board approval without conditions for the past
five years;
2. There have been no substantial complaints against the program in the past five years; and
3. There have been no violations of article 54-03.2 in the past two years.
History: Effective April 1, 2011.
General Authority: NDCC 43-12.1-08
Law Implemented: NDCC 43-12.1-17
### § 54-03.2-10-03. Application.

The following information shall be provided to the board at least sixty days prior to the board
meeting upon which action will be taken. The application may be no more than fifteen pages, including
appendices, with a one-page executive summary.
1. Identifying information.
a. Name of program.
b. Name of program administrator.

c. Contact information.
2. A brief description of the current program, including accreditation and board approval status.
3. Identification of regulations affected by the proposed innovative approach.
4. Length of time that the proposed innovative approach will be implemented and studied.
5. Description of the proposed innovative approach, including objectives.
6. Brief explanation of reason to implement innovative approach at the current time.
7. Explanation of differences between proposed innovative approach and current program
operation.
8. Rationale with available evidence to support proposed innovative approach.
9. Identification of resources that support the proposed innovative approach.
10. Expected impact of proposed innovative approach on program, including the following:
a. Administration.
b. Student policies.
c. Student learning outcomes.
d. Faculty resources.
e. Fiscal resources.
11. Plan for implementation, including timeline.
12. Plan for evaluation of proposed innovation, including the following:
a. Measurable criteria and outcomes.
b. Method for evaluation.
c. Frequency of evaluation.
13. Additional application information as requested by the board.
History: Effective April 1, 2011.
General Authority: NDCC 43-12.1-08
Law Implemented: NDCC 43-12.1-17
### § 54-03.2-10-04. Standards for approval.

Approval of innovations in nursing education involves submission of a comprehensive report by the
nursing program that ensures quality nursing education that prepares nurses to provide client-centered
care as a member of the interdisciplinary team. The report should include the following:
1. Eligibility criteria in section 54-03.2-10-03 and application criteria in section 54-03.2-10-04 are
met.
2. The innovative approach will not compromise the quality of education or safe practices of
students.
3. Human and financial resources are sufficient to support the innovative approach.

4. Rationale supported with current evidence supports the implementation of the innovative
approach.
5. Implementation plan is reasonable to achieve the desired outcomes of the innovative
approach.
6. Timeline provides for a sufficient period to implement and evaluate the innovative approach.
7. Plan for periodic evaluation is comprehensive and supported by appropriate methodology.
History: Effective April 1, 2011.
General Authority: NDCC 43-12.1-08
Law Implemented: NDCC 43-12.1-17
### § 54-03.2-10-05. Review of application and board action.

1. Annually the board may establish the number of innovative approach applications it will
accept, based upon board resources.
2. The board shall evaluate all applications to determine if they meet eligibility criteria in section
3. The board shall inform the education program of the approval process.
4. If the application meets the standards, the board may:
a. Approve the application; or
b. Approve the application with modifications as agreed between the board and the nursing
education program.
5. If the submitted application does not meet the criteria in sections 54-03.2-10-03 and
54-03.2-10-04, the board may deny approval or request additional information.
6. The board may rescind the approval or require program modifications if:
a. The board receives substantial evidence indicating adverse impact; or
b. The nursing education program fails to implement the innovative approach as presented
and approved.
History: Effective April 1, 2011; amended effective April 1, 2014.
General Authority: NDCC 43-12.1-08
Law Implemented: NDCC 43-12.1-17
### § 54-03.2-10-06. Periodic evaluation.

1. The education program shall submit progress reports conforming to the evaluation plan
annually or as requested by the board.
2. The final evaluation report shall conform to the evaluation plan, detailing and analyzing the
outcomes data.
3. If any report indicates that students were adversely impacted by the innovation, the nursing
education program shall provide documentation of corrective measures undertaken and their
effectiveness.
4. Nursing education programs must maintain eligibility with criteria in section 54-03.2-10-03.

History: Effective April 1, 2011; amended effective April 1, 2014.
General Authority: NDCC 43-12.1-08
Law Implemented: NDCC 43-12.1-17
### § 54-03.2-10-07. Requesting continuation of the innovative approach.

1. If the innovative approach has achieved the desired outcome and the final evaluation has
been submitted, the program may request that the innovative approach be continued.
2. Request for the innovative approach to become an ongoing part of the education program
must be submitted with supporting evidence thirty days before a regular board meeting.
3. The board may grant the continued approval for an extended time of the innovative approach
if the desired outcomes were met and public protection has not been compromised.
4. All continued innovations will be considered by the board for possible revisions to the
applicable rules.
History: Effective April 1, 2011.
General Authority: NDCC 43-12.1-08
Law Implemented: NDCC 43-12.1-17
