Volume 44 - Issue 4 - January 23, 2025
State of Kansas
Board of Nursing
Permanent Administrative Regulations
Article 17.—ADVANCED NURSING PROGRAM
60-17-101. Definitions. Each of the following terms, as used in this article of the board’s regulations, shall have the meaning specified in this regulation:
(a) An “advanced nursing program” may be housed within a part of any of the following organizational units within an academic institution:
(1) A college;
(2) a school;
(3) a division;
(4) a department; or
(5) an academic unit.
(b) “Academic equivalent” means the proportionate credit for formal academic coursework if that coursework is completed on the basis of trimester or quarter credit hours rather than semester credit hours.
(c) “Affiliating agency” means an agency that cooperates with the advanced nursing program to provide facilities and resources for selected student experiences.
(d) “Clinical learning experience” means an active process in which the student participates in advanced nursing activities while being guided by a member of the faculty.
(e) “Contractual agreement” means a written contract signed by the legal representatives of the advanced nursing program and the affiliating agency.
(f) “Criteria for unscheduled survey or site visit” means indications that the advanced nursing program no longer meets the requirements in the nurse practice act or the board’s regulations.
(g) “Debriefing” means an activity that follows simulation and is led by a facilitator. Participants’ reflective thinking is encouraged and feedback is provided regarding the participants’ performance while various aspects of the completed simulation are discussed. Participants are encouraged to explore emotions and question, reflect, and provide feedback to one another in order to facilitate the transfer of learning to future situations.
(h) “Loss of approval” means the status that results when the board withdraws its approval of an advanced nursing program.
(i) “Online or distance learning” means the acquisition of knowledge and skills through information and instruction provided by means of a variety of technologies.
(j) “Practice hour” means 60 minutes of clinical learning experience.
(k) “Preceptor” means an advanced practice registered nurse or a physician supervising a student in the clinical setting and is not employed as nursing faculty. Any practice hours over 750 may be precepted with a licensed interdisciplinary professional with a health science degree at a master’s level or above. The preceptor provides oversight of each student’s patients and gives feedback to the student and clinical instructor. The nursing program faculty shall not be required to be in the affiliating agency’s facilities but shall be immediately available.
(l) “Program evaluation plan” means an advanced nursing program’s written systematic methodology or plan for measuring and analyzing student learning outcomes and program outcomes against defined standards and timelines to determine effectiveness and provide for ongoing program improvement.
(m) “Satellite program” means an existing, approved advanced nursing program that is offered at a location geographically separate from the parent advanced nursing program. The students may spend a portion or all of their time at the satellite location. The curricula in all locations shall be the same, and each credential shall be conferred by the parent institution.
(n) “Semester credit hours” means at least 13 clock-hours of formal, didactic classroom instruction that occurs over the course of an academic semester and for which the applicant receives formal academic credit.
(o) “Simulation” means a teaching strategy utilizing technology to replace or amplify clinical situations with guided experiences that evoke or replicate substantial aspects of the real world in a fully interactive manner.
(p) “Survey or site visit” means an in-person assessment of all components of an advanced nursing program to validate information submitted by the advanced nursing program or to follow up on the board’s determination that there is consistent evidence reflecting deficiencies in meeting the requirements.
(q) “Student learning outcomes” means the achievement of expected knowledge, skills, and attributes demonstrated by students at course and program levels. Student learning outcomes are measured in classroom and experiential settings and are reported in individual and aggregate formats, including retention and graduation rates, performance on certification examinations, and employment rates.
(r) “Transfer student” means an individual who is permitted to apply advanced nursing courses completed at another institution to a different advanced nursing program.
(s) “Quarter credit hour” means two-thirds of a semester credit hour. Quarter credit hours shall be rounded as follows:
(1) One quarter credit hour equals .7 semester hours.
(2) Two quarter credit hours equal 1.3 semester hours.
(3) Three quarter credit hours equal 2.0 semester hours.
(4) Four quarter credit hours equal 2.7 semester hours.
(5) Five quarter credit hours equal 3.3 semester hours. (Authorized by K.S.A. 2023 Supp. 74-1106; implementing K.S.A. 65-1133; effective March 31, 2000; amended May 18, 2012; amended Feb. 7, 2025.)
60-17-102. Requirements for initial approval. (a) Administration and organization.
(1) Each advanced nursing program or the institution of which it is a part shall be a legally constituted body. The controlling body shall be responsible for general policy and shall provide the financial support for the advanced nursing program.
(2) Authority and responsibility for administering the advanced nursing program shall be vested in the dedicated nurse administrator who has sufficient administrative time and support to achieve and maintain positive program and student outcomes.
(3) The advanced nursing program shall be accredited, be part of an institution that is accredited, or be in the process of being accredited by an agency that is approved by the United States department of education.
(b) Application. Each proposed advanced nursing program shall submit an initial application at least 60 days before a scheduled Kansas state board of nursing board meeting. The application shall include all of the following:
(1) The course of study and credential to be conferred;
(2) the name and title of the administrator of the advanced nursing program;
(3) the name of the controlling body;
(4) the name and title of the administrator of the controlling body;
(5) the organizational chart;
(6) all sources of financial support, including a three-year budget;
(7) a proposed curriculum, indicating the total number of hours of both theoretical and clinical instruction;
(8) the program objectives or outcomes;
(9) the number, qualifications, and assignments of faculty members;
(10) the faculty policies;
(11) the admission requirements;
(12) a copy of the current school bulletin or catalog;
(13) a description of clinical facilities and client census data;
(14) each contractual agreement, which shall be signed at least three months before the first date on which students may enroll. Each hospital and agency serving as an affiliating agency providing facilities for clinical experience shall be licensed or accredited by the appropriate credentialing groups;
(15) the program evaluation plan; and
(16) a proposed date of initial admission of students to the advanced nursing program.
(c) Each advanced nursing program shall have a site visit to validate information submitted in the program’s application before granting approval, with the exception of nurse anesthesia programs, as determined by K.A.R. 60-13-103.
(1) During each site visit, the nurse administrator shall make available all of the following:
(A) Administrators, prospective faculty and students, affiliating agencies, representatives, preceptors, and support services personnel to discuss the advanced nursing program;
(B) faculty meeting minutes;
(C) faculty and student handbooks;
(D) policies and procedures;
(E) curriculum materials;
(F) a copy of the advanced nursing program’s budget; and
(G) contractual agreements.
(2) The nurse administrator or designated personnel shall take the site visit team to inspect the nursing educational facilities, including satellite program facilities and library facilities.
(3) Upon completion of the site visit, the nurse administrator shall be asked to correct any inaccurate statements contained in the site visit report, limiting these comments to errors, unclear statements, or omissions.
(d) Each institution wanting to establish an advanced nursing program shall have a site visit and be approved by the board before the admission of any students.
(e) If an advanced nursing program fails to meet the requirements of the board within a designated period of time, the advanced nursing program shall be notified by the board’s designee of the board’s intent to deny approval. (Authorized by K.S.A. 2023 Supp. 74-1106; implementing K.S.A. 65-1133; effective March 31, 2000; amended April 20, 2007; amended April 29, 2016; amended Feb. 7, 2025.)
60-17-103. Reapproval requirements. (a) Each advanced nursing program shall be reviewed for reapproval by the board every two years.
(b) Each advanced nursing program shall have a survey or site visit every five to 10 years.
(1) A survey or site visit may be conducted if there is evidence indicating any deficiency in meeting requirements.
(2) A survey or site visit of each nurse anesthesia program shall be conducted as required by K.A.R. 60-13-103.
(3) If the advanced nursing program is accredited by a national nursing accreditation agency, the survey or site visit may be made in coordination with a national nursing accreditation agency visit. Each advanced nursing program without national nursing accreditation shall have a survey or site visit every five years.
(c) The nurse administrator of each advanced nursing program shall make available all of the following information during a survey or site visit:
(1) Data about the advanced nursing program, including the following:
(A) The number of students;
(B) the legal body responsible for establishing advanced nursing program policies;
(C) an organizational chart; and
(D) a description of the budgetary process;
(2) a description of the nurse administrator’s responsibilities;
(3) information about the faculty and preceptors, including the following:
(A) A description of the responsibilities of each position;
(B) the selection policies;
(C) the orientation plan;
(D) faculty organization by-laws; and
(E) the number of full-time and part-time faculty and nonnursing faculty with academic credentials and assignments;
(4) the faculty degree plan, if applicable;
(5) a copy of the current curriculum with the date of last revision;
(6) a description of education facilities, including classrooms, offices, library, and computers;
(7) a list of clinical facilities;
(8) the number of students enrolled; and
(9) policies for students as listed in K.A.R. 60-17-108.
(d) During a survey or site visit, the nurse administrator of the advanced nursing program shall make available all of the following:
(1) Educational institution administrators, faculty, support services personnel, preceptors, and students;
(2) staff at selected clinical facilities;
(3) faculty meeting minutes for at least the previous three years;
(4) faculty and student handbooks;
(5) student records;
(6) policies and procedures;
(7) curriculum materials;
(8) a copy of the advanced nursing program’s budget;
(9) contractual agreements;
(10) an audited fiscal report covering the previous two years, including a statement of income and expenditures; and
(11) the testing process, with test analysis and the written test procedure.
(e) The nurse administrator of the advanced nursing program or designated personnel shall take the survey or site visit team to the nursing educational facilities, including satellite program facilities, library facilities, and affiliating or clinical facilities.
(f) Upon completion of the survey or site visit, the nurse administrator shall correct any inaccurate statements contained in the survey or site visit report, limiting these comments to errors, unclear statements, or omissions.
(g) If an advanced nursing program fails to meet requirements of the board within a designated period of time, the advanced nursing program shall be notified by the board’s designee of the board’s intent to deny reapproval. (Authorized by K.S.A. 2023 Supp. 74-1106; implementing K.S.A. 65-1133; effective March 31, 2000; amended April 20, 2007; amended Feb. 7, 2025.)
60-17-104. Administrator, faculty and preceptor qualifications. (a) Each nurse faculty member shall be licensed as a registered professional nurse in Kansas.
(b) Each preceptor shall be licensed in the state in which the preceptor is currently practicing. Each preceptor can be a physician, advanced practice registered nurse, or licensed interdisciplinary professional with a health science degree at a master’s level or above. Each preceptor shall complete a preceptor orientation that includes information about the pedagogical aspects of the student-preceptor relationship and course information.
(c) For advanced nursing programs in the role of nurse anesthesia, each nurse faculty member shall have the following academic preparation and experience:
(1) The dedicated nurse administrator who is responsible for the development and implementation of the advanced nursing program shall have had successful experience in administration or teaching and shall have a graduate degree in nursing. The program administrator shall have sufficient administrative time and support to achieve and maintain positive program/student outcomes.
(2) Each nurse faculty member who is assigned the responsibility of a course shall hold a graduate degree in nursing.
(3) Each nurse faculty member responsible for clinical instruction shall possess a license as an advanced practice registered nurse and a graduate degree in nursing.
(d) For advanced nursing programs in any role other than nurse anesthesia, each nurse faculty member shall have the following academic preparation and experience:
(1) The nurse administrator who is responsible for the development and implementation of the advanced nursing program shall have had experience in administration or teaching and shall have a graduate degree in nursing.
(2) Each nurse faculty member who is assigned the responsibility of a course shall hold a graduate degree. Each person who is hired as a nurse faculty member shall have a graduate degree in nursing, except for any person whose graduate degree was conferred before July 1, 2005.
(3) Each nurse faculty member responsible for coordinating clinical instruction shall possess a license as an advanced practice registered nurse in the role for which clinical instruction is provided and shall have a graduate degree. Each person who is hired as a nurse faculty member shall have a graduate degree in nursing, except for any person whose graduate degree was conferred before July 1, 2005.
(4) Each adjunct faculty member shall be licensed as an advanced practice registered nurse or shall be licensed as a physician in the state in which the individual is currently practicing.
(e) The nonnursing faculty of each advanced nursing program shall have graduate degrees in the area of expertise.
(f) The nurse administrator of each advanced nursing program shall submit to the board a faculty qualification report for each faculty member who is newly employed by the advanced nursing program. (Authorized by K.S.A. 2023 Supp. 74-1106 and K.S.A. 65-1164; implementing K.S.A. 65-1133 and K.S.A. 65-1152; effective March 31, 2000; amended April 20, 2007; amended May 18, 2012; amended Feb. 7, 2025.)
60-17-105. Curriculum requirements. (a) The faculty in each advanced nursing program shall fulfill these requirements:
(1) Identify the competencies of the graduate for each role of advanced nursing practice for which the advanced nursing program provides instruction;
(2) determine the approach and content for learning experiences;
(3) direct clinical instruction as an integral part of the advanced nursing program; and
(4) provide for learning experiences of the depth and scope needed to fulfill the objectives or outcomes of advanced nursing courses.
(b) The curriculum in each advanced nursing program shall include all of the following:
(1) Role alignment related to the distinction between practice as a registered professional nurse and the advanced role of an advanced practice registered nurse as specified in K.A.R. 60-11-101;
(2) theoretical instruction in the role or roles of advanced nursing practice for which the program provides instruction;
(3) the health care delivery system;
(4) the ethical and legal implications of advanced nursing practice;
(5) three semester credit hours or the academic equivalent in advanced pharmacology;
(6) three semester credit hours or the academic equivalent in advanced pathophysiology and three semester credit hours or the academic equivalent in advanced health assessment for licensure as an advanced practice registered nurse in a role other than nurse anesthesia and nurse midwifery;
(7) for any advanced nursing program completed after July 1, 2009, three semester credit hours or the academic equivalent in advanced pathophysiology and three semester credit hours or the academic equivalent in advanced health assessment; and
(8) clinical instruction in the area of specialization, which shall include the following:
(A) Performance of or ordering diagnostic procedures;
(B) evaluation of diagnostic and assessment findings; and
(C) the prescription of medications and other treatment modalities for client conditions.
(c)(1) Each advanced nursing program shall consist of at least 45 semester credit hours or the academic equivalent.
(2) The clinical component shall consist of at least 260 practice hours. After January 1, 2003, the clinical component shall consist of at least 500 practice hours. After July 1, 2009, the clinical component shall consist of at least 500 practice hours in each clinical track, or the advanced nursing program shall provide documentation of the overlap if any clinical track consists of less than 500 practice hours. After March 1, 2025, the clinical component shall consist of at least 750 practice hours in each clinical track. The advanced nursing program shall provide documentation if any clinical track consists of less than 750 practice hours. Practice hours of 750 or less must be precepted with a physician or advanced practice registered nurse. Any practice hours over 750 may be precepted with a licensed interdisciplinary professional with a health science degree at a master’s level or above.
(d) Each nurse administrator shall meet the following requirements:
(1) Develop and implement a program evaluation plan; and
(2) submit any major revision to the curriculum of advanced nursing courses for board approval at least 30 days before a meeting of the board. The following shall be considered major revisions to the curriculum:
(A) Any significant change in the plan of curriculum organization; and
(B) any change in content.
(e) Each nurse administrator shall submit all revisions that are not major revisions, as defined in paragraph (d)(2), to the board or the board’s designee for approval. (Authorized by K.S.A. 2023 Supp. 74-1106; implementing K.S.A. 65-1133; effective March 31, 2000; amended April 20, 2007; amended May 18, 2012; amended Feb. 7, 2025.)
60-17-106. Clinical resources. (a) Each advanced nursing program shall have contractual agreements. Each contractual agreement shall be kept on file in the advanced nursing program office.
(b) Clinical learning experiences and sites shall be selected to provide learning opportunities necessary to achieve the student learning outcomes.
(c) Faculty shall facilitate and evaluate student learning experiences in the clinical area.
(d) Preceptors shall be responsible for assessing performance in the clinical setting.
(e) The advanced nursing program shall provide verification that each agency used for clinical instruction has clinical facilities that are adequate for the number of students served in terms of space, equipment, and other necessary resources, including an adequate number of patients or clients necessary to meet the student learning outcomes.
(f) The advanced nursing program shall contract with an adequate number of appropriate affiliating agencies so that there will be appropriate clinical learning experiences to meet curriculum objectives or outcomes. The advanced nursing program faculty shall provide the affiliating agency staff with the organizing curriculum framework and either the objectives or outcomes for that clinical learning experience. A sufficient number and variety of patients representing appropriate age groups shall be available to provide clinical learning experiences to meet student learning outcomes. If more than one advanced nursing program uses the same affiliating agency, each advanced nursing program shall document the availability of appropriate clinical learning experiences for all of its students. (Authorized by K.S.A. 2023 Supp. 74-1106; implementing K.S.A. 65-1133; effective March 31, 2000; amended Feb. 7, 2025.)
60-17-107. Educational facilities. (a) Classrooms, laboratories, and conference rooms shall be available at the time needed and shall be adequate in size, number, and type, according to the number of students and the educational purposes for which the rooms are to be used.
(b) The advanced nursing program shall provide all of the following:
(1) A physical facility that is safe and conducive to learning;
(2) space for counseling students in private that is available and adequate in size and number;
(3) secured space for nursing student records; and
(4) current technological resources and student support services for online or distance learning if online or distance learning is provided.
(c) Library holdings, instructional media, and materials shall be of sufficient recency, pertinence, level of content, and quantity as indicated by the curriculum to meet the needs of nursing students and faculty and shall be available to online or distance learning students. (Authorized by K.S.A. 2023 Supp. 74-1106; implementing K.S.A. 65-1133; effective March 31, 2000; amended April 20, 2007; amended Feb. 7, 2025.)
60-17-108. Student policies. (a) Each advanced nursing program shall have clearly defined written student policies for all of the following:
(1) Admission, including a requirement that each student in the advanced nursing program must have a current license to practice as a registered professional nurse in the United States or any of its territories;
(2) transfer students;
(3) readmission;
(4) counseling and guidance;
(5) progression criteria;
(6) student representation in faculty governance;
(7) graduation;
(8) oral and written English proficiency as specified in K.A.R. 60-3-106;
(9) the difference between the student role and the employee role;
(10) refund policies governing all fees and tuition paid by the student; and
(11) ethical practices for the performance of activities, including recruitment, admission, and advertising.
(b) Each advanced nursing program shall have a written policy providing information to all students regarding licensure denial pursuant to K.S.A. 65-1120, and amendments thereto. The information shall be provided to each student before admission to the advanced nursing program. (Authorized by K.S.A. 2023 Supp. 74-1106; implementing K.S.A. 65-1133; effective March 31, 2000; amended April 20, 2007; amended Feb. 7, 2025.)
60-17-109. Reports. (a) Each advanced nursing program shall submit an annual report to the board on or before June 30 of each year, which shall include all of the following data:
(1) Any changes in advanced nursing program policies, the organizing framework for the curriculum, and advanced nursing program objectives or outcomes and all curriculum changes as specified in K.A.R. 60-17-105;
(2) faculty responsibilities for required advanced nursing courses;
(3) the name, license number, academic credentials, employment date, and full-time or part-time status of each member of the advanced nursing program faculty;
(4) the name, license number, academic credentials, professional experience, and place of practice for each preceptor;
(5) the nurse administrator’s teaching responsibilities;
(6) the name and address of each affiliating agency;
(7) student enrollment, retention, and graduation statistics;
(8) faculty hiring, retention, and separation statistics;
(9) the total number of library holdings and the number of holdings regarding nursing;
(10) for the most recent year, the budget spent on library and audiovisual acquisitions for the advanced nursing program;
(11) a response to the recommendations and requirements identified by the board based on the advanced nursing program’s last annual report or the last site visit;
(12) any proposed changes to the advanced nursing program;
(13) an audited fiscal report covering the previous two years, including a statement of income and expenditures;
(14) any complaints involving KSBN educational statutes and regulations;
(15) a description of the practices used to safeguard the health and well-being of students; and
(16) a copy of the school’s current catalog.
(b) If the advanced nursing program fails to meet requirements of the board or to submit required reports within a designated period of time, the advanced nursing program shall be notified and given the opportunity for a hearing regarding the board’s intent to remove the program from the list of approved advanced nursing programs. (Authorized by K.S.A. 2023 Supp. 74-1106; implementing K.S.A. 65-1133; effective March 31, 2000; amended Feb. 7, 2025.)
Carol Moreland, MSN, RN
Executive Administrator
Board of Nursing
Doc. No. 052824
