Education Subcommittee
Meeting Times
The education subcommittee meets on an ad-hoc basis.
Board Members
- Ajay Mendoza
- Joan Owens
- Kim Tucker
- Norma Perez
Pro–Tem Members
- Donna Bachand
- KaraLynn LaValley
Ad–Hoc:
- Margot Noe
Nursing Program Approval Panel (NPAP)
Meeting Times
NPAP meetings for each panel meet the 1st and 3rd Thursday of each month.
Board Members
- Ajay Mendoza
- Joan Owens
- Kim Tucker
Pro–Tem Members
- Donna Bachand
- KaraLynn LaValley
- Karen Joiner
- Michelle Weingarten-Bandes
- Shelly Caldejon
- Teri Woo
WAC Information Sessions
With the amended nursing education rules going into effect November 8, 2026, the WABON Nursing Education Unit will be hosting several WAC Information Sessions for nursing faculty and nurse administrators.
Below are dates and times of the WAC Information Sessions, along with the link to register. More information session dates will be announced soon.
Registration will be limited in each session. Confirmation of registration will be sent to the registrant’s emails.
Presentation materials will be provided to participants on a later date.
Nursing Education Complaints
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Mandatory Reporting
- Per WAC 246-840-513 this is the form provided by the board for events involving a student or faculty member that the program has reason to believe resulted in patient harm, an unreasonable risk of patient harm, or diversion of legend drugs or controlled substances.
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Complaint Process
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- The Nursing Program Approval Panel (NPAP) reviews complaints on behalf of the Board of Nursing
- When the complaint allegation indicates a potential misalignment with regulatory requirements, NPAP may request a complaint investigation
- NPAP members have expertise in nursing education
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How to File a Complaint
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For all nursing education complaints about a:
- Nursing education program
- Nursing faculty member
- Nursing Assistant training program
Fill out and submit the online nursing education complaint form:
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Other Complaints
- For all other nursing related complaints not related to education (including a complaint about a nurse), see File a Complaint.
Nursing Program Plan of Correction
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What is a Plan of Correction (POC)?
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A POC is a written report, a nursing program prepares, showing how it will address the deficient standards identified in law.
The Washington State Board of Nursing (WABON) may request a POC if one of the following:
- The program receives a statement of deficiencies
- The program fails to maintain an annual pass rate of 80 percent
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How to Submit a POC
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Use the Plan of Correction (POC) template and email it to waboneducationunit@doh.wa.gov.
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When Filling Out the POC
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- State the WAC deficiency
- Identify actions taken to correct the WAC deficiency
- Include the date of planned implementation
- Provide evidence to show the WAC deficiency has been corrected
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What to Expect After Submitting a POC
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The Nursing Program Approval Panel (NPAP) reviews the Plan of Correction (POC).
The NPAP may choose to accept or reject the POC.
- If the NPAP rejects the POC, they will request clarifying information
- The NPAP may ask WABON staff to do a program site visit
Helpful Resources
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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
- Nursing program NCLEX pass rates (PDF)
- 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)
- License Exam Process Handout (PDF)
- 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
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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)
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Next Generation NCLEX (NGN)
- NCSBN doesn't anticipate any type of process changes with them or with Pearson Vue
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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
FAQs
Clinical Placement FAQs
- 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.
Clinical Site Placements FAQs for Out-Of-State Nursing Programs
All out-of-state (OOS) clinical placements approved by the Washington State Board of Nursing (WABON) are authorized for Washington State residents only. This decision reflects the limited availability of clinical placement opportunities and the Board’s commitment to prioritize resources for students who will contribute to the state’s nursing workforce.
- Who may participate in an approved out-of-state clinical placement in Washington state?
- Approved out-of-state clinical placements are authorized only for students who are residents of Washington state.
- Why are out-of-state clinical placements limited to Washington state residents?
- The Board has determined that available clinical placement opportunities should be prioritized for students who are residents of the state and are most likely to contribute to the state's nursing workforce.
- Can a student who resides outside the state participate in an approved out-of-state clinical placement?
- No. Approval for out-of-state clinical placements is limited to students who are residents of Washington state.
- Does this requirement apply to all nursing programs approved by the Board?
- Yes. All Board-approved out-of-state clinical placements must comply with the resident-only requirement.
- What if a student changes residency status during the program?
- If residency changes to Washington state the student may attend clinicals in Washington state if enrolled in an approved out of state program.
- Does this policy affect clinical placements for nursing programs within Washington state?
- No. This policy applies specifically to Board-approved out-of-state clinical placements.
- What is the purpose of this policy?
- The policy supports the Board's commitment to maximizing limited clinical placement resources and strengthening the state's nursing workforce pipeline.
- Can exceptions be made to this requirement?
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Yes. Unless otherwise authorized by the Board, approved out-of-state clinical placements are limited to Washington State residents. An out-of-state nursing program with an approved Washington state clinical placement may request an exception for a student who is not a Washington resident.
To request an exception, email WABONEducationUnit@doh.wa.gov and include:
- The rationale for the exception request
- The student's name
- The type of nursing program
- The clinical placement site and location
Exception requests are reviewed on a case-by-case basis and approval is not guaranteed.