(1) A nursing education program may apply to implement an innovative program approach or project by complying with the provisions of this section.

(2) Nursing education programs approved to implement innovative approaches or programs shall continue to provide quality nursing education preparing graduates to practice safely, competently, and ethically within the scope of practice as defined in chapter 18.79 RCW and chapter 246-840 WAC.

(3) The purpose of innovations in nursing education program approval is to:

(a) Foster innovative models of nursing education to address the changing needs in health care;

(b) Assure innovative approaches or programs protect the public; and

(c) Assure innovative approaches or programs maintain quality outcome standards.

(4) A nursing education program that holds full commission approval may be eligible to implement an innovative approach or program.

(5) The following information shall be provided to the commission at least three months in advance of requested implementation date:

(a) Identifying information to include name of nursing program, address, responsible party and contact information;

(b) A brief description of the current program;

(c) Identification of the regulation(s) affected by the proposed innovative approach;

(d) Length of time for, which the innovative approach is requested;

(e) Description of the innovative approach, including objective(s);

(f) Brief explanation of why the nursing education program wants to implement an innovative approach at this time;

(g) Explanation of how the proposed innovation differs from approaches in the current program;

(h) Rationale with available evidence supporting the innovative approach;

(i) Identification of resources supporting the proposed innovative approach;

(j) Expected impact innovative approach will have on the program, including administration, students, faculty, and other program resources;

(k) Plan for implementation, including timeline;

(l) Plan for evaluation of the proposed innovation, including measurable criteria/outcomes, method of evaluation, and frequency of evaluation; and

(m) Additional application information as requested by the commission.

(6) The following are the standards for approval:

(a) Eligibility and application criteria in subsections (4) and (5) of this section are met;

(b) The innovative approach or program will not compromise the quality of education or safe practice of students;

(c) Resources are sufficient to support the innovative approach or program;

(d) Rationale with available evidence supports the implementation of the innovative approach or program;

(e) Implementation plan is reasonable to achieve the desired outcomes of the innovative approach or program;

(f) Timeline provides for a sufficient period to implement and evaluate the innovative approach or program; and

(g) Plan for periodic evaluation is comprehensive and supported by appropriate methods of evaluation.

(7) If the application meets the standards, the commission may:

(a) Approve the application; or

(b) Approve the application with modifications as agreed between the commission and the nursing education program.

(8) If the submitted application does not meet the criteria in subsections (4) and (5) of this section, the commission may deny approval or ask for more information.

(9) The commission may rescind the approval or require the nursing education program to make modifications if:

(a) The commission receives evidence, which substantiates adverse impact; or

(b) The nursing education program fails to implement the innovative approach or program as presented and approved.

(10) The nursing education program shall provide the commission with progress reports conforming to the evaluation plan as requested by the commission.

(a) If any report indicates patients or students were adversely impacted by the innovation, the nursing education program shall provide documentation of corrective measures and their effectiveness; and

(b) The final evaluation report shall conform to the evaluation plan, detailing and analyzing the outcomes data.

(11) If the innovative approach or program achieves the desired outcomes, has not compromised public protection, and is consistent with core nursing education criteria, the nursing education program may request the innovative approach or program be continued.