SECTION 219.7. Faculty Qualifications and Faculty Organization

(a) There shall be written personnel policies for nursing faculty that are in keeping with accepted education standards and are consistent with those of the governing institution to the extent possible. Variations of these policies may be necessary because of the nature of the curriculum for which the faculty must have authority and responsibility.

(1) Policies concerning workload for faculty and the director shall be in writing.

(2) Sufficient time shall be provided faculty to accomplish those activities related to the teaching-learning process as well as meet other responsibilities/expectations such as scholarly activities, practice, and research.

(b) An advanced practice registered nursing education program shall employ sufficient faculty members with appropriate graduate preparation and expertise necessary to enable students to meet the program goals. The number of faculty members shall:

(1) Provide students with a level of instruction and supervision that is compatible with safe practice including educational experiences necessary to meet students' learning needs; and

(2) Be determined by such factors as:

(A) The number and level of students enrolled;

(B) The curriculum plan;

(C) Activities and responsibilities required of faculty;

(D) The number and geographic locations of preceptors, affiliate agencies, and clinical practice settings; and

(E) The complexity of care and acuity of patients.

(c) Faculty Qualifications and Responsibilities.

(1) Documentation of faculty qualifications shall be included in the official files of the program. Each nurse faculty member shall:

(A) Hold a current, valid license or privilege to practice as a registered nurse in the state of Texas;

(B) Hold a minimum of a master's degree in nursing or the equivalent thereof as determined by the Board;

(C) Be qualified through academic preparation to teach the subject assigned; and

(D) Shall meet the standards for faculty appointment by the governing institution.

(2) There shall be written personnel policies for non-nursing faculty who teach nursing courses that are in keeping with accepted educational standards and are consistent with those of the governing institution to the extent possible. Variations of these policies may be necessary because of the nature of the curriculum for which the faculty must have authority and responsibility. Non-nursing faculty shall have graduate level education preparation verified by the director as appropriate to the subject area.

(3) Teaching assignments shall be commensurate with the faculty member's education and experience as an advanced practice registered nurse.

(4) Faculty responsible for clinical management courses or involved in clinical teaching and supervision shall also:

(A) Be licensed as an advanced practice registered nurse;

(B) Have clinical practice experience as an advanced practice registered nurse of at least two years. If a faculty member has less than two (2) years advanced practice registered nursing experience, that faculty member must be responsible to a qualified faculty member; and

(C) Maintain clinical practice within the advanced practice registered nurse role and population focus.

(d) The faculty shall be organized with written policies and procedures and/or bylaws to guide the faculty and program's activities. The policies, procedures, and/or bylaws shall be consistent with the governing institution.

(e) The faculty shall meet regularly and function in such a manner that all members participate in planning, implementing, and evaluating the program. Such participation includes, but is not limited to, the initiation and/or change of academic policies, personnel policies, curriculum, utilization of affiliate agencies, and program evaluation.

(1) Committees necessary to carry out the functions of the program shall be established with duties and membership of each committee clearly defined in writing.

(2) Minutes of faculty organization and/or committee meetings shall document the reasons for actions and the decisions of the faculty and shall be available for reference.

(f) There shall be written plans for faculty orientation, development, and evaluation.

(1) Orientation of new faculty members shall be initiated at the onset of employment.

(2) A program of faculty development shall be offered to encourage and assist faculty members to meet the program's needs as well as individual faculty member's professional development needs.

(3) A variety of means shall be used to evaluate faculty performance such as self, student, peer and administrative evaluations.

Source Note: The provisions of this §219.7 adopted to be effective September 13, 2001, 26 TexReg 6889; amended to be effective January 8, 2008, 33 TexReg 184; amended to be effective December 9, 2018, 43 TexReg 7894