21 NCAC 36 .0318             FACULTY

(a)  The program shall develop policies for program faculty members consistent with those for other faculty of the controlling institution, with variations as needed due to the nature of the nursing curriculum.

(b)  Fifty percent or more of the nursing faculty per program shall hold a graduate degree.

(c)  Nurses licensed pursuant to this Chapter who are full-time and part-time faculty and who teach in a program as a nurse shall:

(1)           hold an active unencumbered license or multistate licensure privilege to practice as a registered nurse in North Carolina;

(2)           hold either a baccalaureate in nursing or a graduate degree in nursing from an accredited institution;

(3)           have two calendar years or the equivalent of full-time experience as a registered nurse. A full-time registered nurse is a registered nurse employed by the program who is regularly assigned to work at least 40 hours each week in a position;

(4)           full-time faculty shall hold a graduate degree from an accredited institution or obtain a graduate degree in nursing from an accredited institution within five years of initial full-time employment;

(5)           prior to or within the first three years of employment, have education in teaching and learning principles for adult education, including curriculum development, implementation, and evaluation, appropriate to faculty assignment. Once completed, this education need not be repeated if the employing organization is changed. This education may be demonstrated by one of the following:

(A)          completion of 45 contact hours of Board-approved continuing education courses;

(B)          completion of a certificate program in nursing education;

(C)          nine semester hours of graduate course work in adult learning and learning principles;

(D)          national certification in nursing education;

(E)           documentation of completion of structured, individualized development activities of at least 45 contact hours approved by the Board. Criteria for approval shall include content in the faculty role in the curriculum implementation, curricular objectives to be met and evaluated, review of strategies for identified student population, and expectations of student and faculty performance; or

(F)           individuals with prior teaching experience in an academic setting seeking a faculty position shall be evaluated by the Program Director to assess each individual's prior teaching experience commensurate with formal education in teaching and learning principles for adult education including curriculum development, implementation, and evaluation, appropriate to faculty assignment.

(6)           maintain competence pursuant to Rule .0232 of this Chapter in the areas of assigned responsibility.

(d)  Interdisciplinary faculty who teach in program courses shall be licensed or certified in the content area in which they are teaching.

(e)  Clinical preceptors shall hold an active unencumbered license to practice as a registered nurse in North Carolina.

(f)  The program shall provide workshops and presentations devoted to faculty development.

(g)  The faculty-student ratio for faculty-directed preceptor clinical experiences shall be no greater than 1:15. The faculty-student ratio for all other clinical experiences shall be no greater than 1:10.

History Note:        Authority G.S. 90-171.23(b)(8); 90-171.38; 90-171.83;

Eff. February 1, 1976;

Amended Eff. December 1, 2016; January 1, 2015; August 1, 2011; November 1, 2008; July 1, 2006; July 1, 2000; January 1, 1996; June 1, 1992; January 1, 1989; January 1, 1984;

Readopted Eff. January 1, 2019;

Amended Eff. March 1, 2024; September 1, 2021.