Nursing Education Overview
The Following Are Examples of the Parts of Education Programs WABON Regulates:
- Nurse refresher courses for Licensed Practical Nurses and Registered Nurses
- Out-of-state nursing education programs for clinical placement in Washington state
- Nursing Professional Vocational Relationships (PVR) courses
WABON Sets the Following Standards:
- Promoting safe and effective nursing practices
- Developing, evaluating, and improving education programs
- Ensuring education programs prepare candidates for licensing and certification
- Ensuring out-of-state distance learning programs are equal to WABON’s in-state nursing programs
Information for Nursing Programs:
Find information, resources, and links for nursing education programs and nursing students below:
Dean and Director Resources
The following is information, resources, and forms for education program administrators.
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Meetings
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Education Subcommittee
Board Members:
- Kim Tucker
- Ajay Mendoza
- Ella Guilford
Pro Tem Members:
- Joan Owens
- Shelly Caldejon
- Teri Woo
- Fionnuala Brown
- Patty Cochrell
- Julie Benson
- Karen Joiner
Meeting Times
Monthly NPAP meetings for each panel meet the (1st and 3rd Thursday)
No pending dates
WAC Informational Session for Administrators
No pending dates
WAC Informational Sessions for Nurse Educators
No pending dates
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Information and Guidance
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- Best Practices for Program Expansion and SCR Submission (CNEWS Fall 2023) (PDF)
- CNEA professional development resources
- Example of New Program Application Phase I Feasibility Study (PDF)
- Example of New Program Application Phase II (PDF)
- Example of New Program Application Progress Report (PDF)
- Example of Substantive Change Request – Example 1 (PDF)
- Example of Substantive Change Request – Example 2 (PDF)
- Example of Systematic Evaluation Plan (SEP) – Example 1 (GRC-BSN)
- Example of Systematic Evaluation Plan (SEP) – Example 2 (GRC-LPN)
- Guidance for Fraud Detection (NCSBN 2024)
- Holistic Admissions: How to be Successful in the Process
- Nurse Administrators Orientation (PDF)
- Plan of Correction (POC)
- Plan of Correction Example (PDF)
- Student nurse preceptor grant program
- Washington State Nursing Education Rules (PDF)
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Forms and Resources for Licensing New Graduates
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- Certificate of Completion (COC) form (.docx)
- Certificate of Completion (COC) form (PDF)
- Certificate of Completion (COC) Guidance (PDF)
- Nursing Examination Process PowerPoint (.ppt)
- Out of State Licensed Practical Nurse Test Out Approval Form (PDF)
- RN Students Taking NCLEX-PN form - PVR and Letter (.docx)
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Forms
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- Exception to faculty degree requirements form (.docx)
- Incident Report Form (.docx)
- Nursing Program complaint form (online)
- Preceptor Verification of Hours form (.docx)
Nursing education program applications and other forms:
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Site Visit Preparation
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Information on preparation for WABON Approval site visits
- Benchmarks of Program (.docx)
- Checklist of documents reviewed during the site visit (.docx)
- Evidence Table Guide (PDF)
- Post site visit expectations (PDF)
- Sample Evidence Table (PDF)
- Sample Self Study (PDF)
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Helpful Information
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Next Generation NCLEX (NGN) Information
- NCLEX Pass Rates
- NCLEX Fact Sheet
- NCSBN Leader to Leader summer 2023 newsletter (PDF)
- Next Generation NCLEX (NGN)
- NCSBN doesn't anticipate any type of process changes with them or with Pearson Vue.
- NCSBN consolidated all of their NCLEX resources to nclex.com.
- New site was redesigned to provide the information and resources candidates need along their NCLEX journey.
- It gives NCLEX candidates a more efficient and streamlined means of accessing the most current and accurate information about the examinations.
- NCLEX Candidate Resources
Accreditation Articles
- Differences between BON Approval and Accreditation (PDF)
- JNR: Board of Nursing Approval of Registered Nurse Education Programs article (PDF)
Clinical Placement Report
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Clinical Placement FAQs
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Can observation experiences be included as part of clinical hours?
Yes, observational experiences may greatly enhance student understanding of healthcare delivery systems. Those supervising observational experiences do not need to meet the definition of preceptor (WAC 24-840-533) unless in a practicum experience.
Do I need to have a specific number of hours for specialty areas (e.g., OB)?
No, there are not prescribed hours for each clinical experience. Simulation may be used up to 50% for each clinical course. (WAC 246-840-531(1)).
Do clinical rotations need to include acute care only?
No, clinical rotations must provide experiences across the lifespan. These experiences may be obtained in acute care or community settings. There is no requirement for hospital-based rotations, however, providing students with some exposure in hospital settings is considered best practice.
For prelicensure students, how should faculty be available if there are multiple settings?
Faculty should be accessible by phone during the clinical rotation and make periodic on-site visits. Daily or weekly check-ins or debriefs are considered best practice to support students who are new to clinical environments. However, there is not a WAC requirement for the frequency or format of these interactions. The length of the clinical experience should help determine the appropriate level of faculty engagement. The clinical site should be informed of faculty availability for in-person and phone support, as this is also considered best practice. The program should continue to ensure there is appropriate planning, oversight, and evaluation components for student success.
What is the faculty ratio for dispersed clinical sites that are population focused?
Practical and prelicensure registered nursing education programs have a maximum faculty to student ratio of one faculty member to fifteen students in practice settings that are observational or involve student precepted experiences, such as population health settings that do not provide direct, individual patient care. Faculty should use judgment based on student learning objectives and patient interventions.
For practicum experiences, what are the expectations for ensuring supervision and evaluation of the student with the preceptor?
Practicum check-ins should be done at the beginning, middle, and end of the practicum. This may be done in-person or virtually/telephonically. Best practice is to meet altogether to provide and receive direct feedback for the student, however, asynchronous meetings may be used when scheduling conflicts limit availability.
How should preceptor credentials be documented?
An attestation of preceptor credentials including an active/unencumbered license, one-year experience, orientation to clinical objectives and role expectations of the student, faculty and preceptor is sufficient to ensure eligibility and understanding of expectations.