Plan of Correction

What is a plan of correction (POC)?

A POC is a written report the program prepares showing how it will address the deficient standard(s) identified in law.

The Nursing Commission may request a POC if:

• Your program receives a statement of deficiencies, or
• Your program failed to maintain a pass rate of 80 percent

The Nursing Commission considers the percentage of students who passed both the written and skills exam when determining pass rates.

How to submit a POC

Use the POC template and submit it to the Nursing Education Unit.

• POC template (PDF)

When filling out the POC:

• Clearly state the pass rate problem
• Identify contributing factors
• Identify the plan of action to correct the problem
• State how the program will ensure long-term compliance
• Name the person responsible to implement the action plan
• Provide date of implementation
• Understand POC requirements
• What to expect after submitting a POC

Clearly state the pass rate problem

What are students not passing?

• Written exam – is it a certain portion of the exam?
• Skills exam – does a particular skill appear to be a problem?

Examples:

• Students are not passing the client rights portion of the written test.
• Students are not passing hand washing.
• Students are not passing the skills portion of the exam.

Identify contributing factors

Assess the situations leading to pass rate problems.

• Are students not practicing enough after they complete the course?
• Are the program tests easier than the certification test?
• Are program staff members teaching and testing the skills to match the blue or green handbook?
• What other factors could be affecting students?

Identify the plan of action to correct the problem

What actions will the program take to fix the identified problems?

Examples:

• Arrange onsite testing.
• Increase the difficulty of the test.
• Change admissions screening for students.
• Ensure instructors are teaching the skills out of the handbook.
• Find a way to encourage students to come back and practice before they test.
• Add more time in the classroom or clinical portion of the class.

State how the program will ensure long-term compliance

Identify steps the program will take to ensure it implements the proposed changes and keeps them in place.

Examples:

• Retrain staff members.
• Change program policies and procedures.

Name the person responsible to implement the action plan

• Identify the person responsible for the changes.
• Include that person's job title.

Provide date of implementation

Provide a date the program will implement the changes.

Understand POC requirements

• Use the form the Nursing Commission provides.
• Make sure it is legible.
• Fill out the form completely prior to submittal.

What to expect after submitting a POC

The Nursing Assistant Program Approval Panel (NAPAP) reviews the POC. The NAPAP may choose to accept or reject the plan of correction. If it rejects the POC, the NAPAP will request additional clarifying information. The NAPAP may also ask commission staff members to do a program site visit.