Section 21.365. Establishment

(a) A CRNP program must be developed and maintained under the authority of a regionally accredited university or college or have current accreditation by the Credentialing Commission for Nurse Education or the National League of Nursing.

(b) A CRNP program must be under the direction of a faculty member who holds an active certification as a Pennsylvania CRNP and an earned doctorate degree or a specific plan for and evidence toward completion of the doctoral degree within 5 years. The length of appointment of temporary and acting directors of CRNP programs may not exceed 1 year.

(c) A university or college may conduct CRNP programs within the graduate program of the university or college where it resides, if the college or university has a professional nurse program and the philosophy of the parent institution encompasses dual programs of education. A college or university desiring to establish a program of nursing is required to:

(1) Submit a proposal to the Board, at least 12 months prior to the first intended admission of students, which includes the following:

(i) Sufficient statistical data to support the need for a CRNP program within the community and to assure availability of an adequate number of interested candidates.

(ii) Letters of intent from the cooperating agencies indicating positive commitment to the CRNP program and the availability of sufficient clinical resources to meet the educational requirements of the CRNP program.

(iii) The projected cost of the CRNP program including costs for faculty, clinical teaching resources, educational supplies, office supplies, and the like, and sufficient evidence of stable financial support.

(2) Employ the director of the CRNP program prior to the intended admission date of students.

(d) The planned CRNP educational program proposal must include:

(1) A statement of the organization and administrative policies of the college or university.

(2) A statement of the administrative structure and functions of the nursing school.

(3) A statement of the educational preparation and nursing experience of faculty members employed, which conforms to § 21.367(b) (relating to faculty requirements for CRNP programs).

(4) A statement of the philosophy, purposes and objectives of the program, which are congruent with the philosophy of the university or college.

(5) A statement of the curriculum, based on sound educational concepts, and including detailed course descriptions, objectives and descriptions of the relevant clinical practice related to the specialty area.

(6) A statement of admissions policies.

(7) A statement identifying the National educational standards and guidelines used in the development of the nursing practitioner program.

(8) Statements of financial viability for 5 years.

(9) A description of the clinical facilities.

(e) Following the review of the CRNP program proposal and before final Board action is taken to grant permission to recruit students, an initial facility survey may be made by the designee of the Board.

The provisions of this § 21.365 adopted June 2, 2006, effective June 3, 2006, 36 Pa.B. 2667.

Notation

Authority

The provisions of this § 21.365 issued under sections 6.1 and 8.1 of the Professional Nursing Law (63 P. S. § § 216.1 and 218.1).

Cross References

This section cited in 49 Pa. Code § 21.363 (relating to approval process); and 49 Pa. Code § 21.367 (relating to approval process).