21 NCAC 36 .0303 EXISTING NURSING PROGRAM

(a) Accreditation by a national nursing accreditation body as defined in 21 NCAC 36 .0120(39) is required for all programs. For those programs granted initial approval status, full approval status, or warning status prior to December 31, 2024, accreditation by a national nursing accreditation body (not to include pre-accreditation status) is required effective January 1, 2032. The program shall submit official written documentation verifying accreditation from a national nursing accreditation body.

(b) The program shall be issued a letter of noncompliance, subject to a corrective action plan addressing identified deficiencies, a monitoring plan subject to conditions, additional program surveys, a change in program approval status, withdrawal of approval status, discipline, or closure of the program upon a finding of noncompliance with this Section.

(1) Approved programs shall be reviewed by the Board at least once every 10 years as specified in G.S. 90-171.40. Reviews of individual programs shall be conducted at shorter intervals upon request from the individual institution or if an issue is identified suggesting noncompliance with this Section.

(2) The program shall submit a copy of the self-study report prepared for accreditation and submitted to the national nursing accreditation body. The program shall also submit written documentation from the national nursing accreditation body verifying compliance with accreditation standards.

(3) The Board shall send a written report of the review no more than 30 business days following the completion of the review process. Responses from a nursing education program regarding a review report or warning status as referenced in Paragraph (d) of this Rule shall be received in the Board office by the deadline date specified in the letter accompanying the report or notification of warning status. If no materials or documents are received by the specified deadline date, the Board shall act upon the findings in the review report and the testimony of the Board staff.

(4) If the Board finds a pattern of noncompliance with one or more rules in this Section, the Board may take action as outlined in Paragraph (b) of this Rule.

(d) Warning Status

(1) If the Board finds that a program is not complying with the rules in this Section, the Board shall assign the program warning status and shall give written notice by certified mail to the program specifying:

(A) the areas in which there is noncompliance;

(B) the date by which the program must comply with the rules in this Section. The maximum time for compliance shall be two consecutive years after issuance of the written notice; and

(C) the opportunity to schedule a hearing. Any request for a hearing regarding the program warning status shall be submitted to the Board. A hearing shall be afforded pursuant to the provisions of G.S. 150B, Article 3A.

(2) On or before the required date of compliance specified in Part (d)(1)(B) of this Rule if the Board determines that the program is complying with the rules in this Section, the Board shall assign the program full approval status.

(3) If the Board finds the program is not in compliance with the rules in this Section by the date specified in Part (d)(1)(B) of this Rule, the program shall remain on warning status, and a review by the Board shall be conducted during that time.

(4) If the Board finds the program is not in compliance with the rules in this Section for two consecutive years following the date specified in Part (d)(1)(B) of this Rule, warning status approval will be withdrawn, constituting a program closure consistent with Paragraph (b) of this Rule.

(5) Upon written request from the program submitted within 10 business days of the Board's written notice of warning status, or withdrawal of approval, the Board shall schedule a hearing at the next meeting of the Board for which notice can be provided.

(6) If a hearing is held at the request of the program and the Board determines that the program is not in compliance with the rules in this Section, the program shall remain on warning status, and a review by the Board shall be conducted while the program is on warning status. Following the review, the Board shall:

(A) continue the program on warning status;

(B) withdraw approval, constituting program closure consistent with Paragraph (b) of this Rule; or

History Note: Authority G.S. 90-171.23(b); 90-171.38; 90-171.39; 90-171.40;

Eff. February 1, 1976;

Amended Eff. December 1, 2016; August 1, 2011; July 3, 2008; March 1, 2006; January 1, 2004; June 1, 1992; January 1, 1989;

Readopted Eff. January 1, 2019;

Amended Eff. March 1, 2024.