The nursing education section of the BON web site was developed for the purpose of providing information and resources for individuals seeking information regarding nursing education in the State of Texas. Use this site to obtain information about nursing education topics of interest, answer student questions, answer faculty questions and to access nursing education rules and guidelines.
The target audience for this site includes faculty of nursing programs, students and members of the public with questions about nursing education in Texas.
The information included in this site does not include Continuing Education. For information on Continuing Education follow one of these CE Links.
Please Note: New information will be added on an ongoing basis. Please check back frequently!
Students and Prospective Students
Approved Programs and Student Pass Rates
Unapproved Nursing Educational Programs Operating in Texas
The Board is aware of six schools operating in Texas without Board approval. Graduates from these programs would not be eligible to take the NCLEX licensure examination. Review the BON News posting for more information.
Background Checks
- Applicants for NCLEX and Nurses seeking licensure in Texas are required to submit a complete and legible set of fingerprints on a form prescribed by the board for the purpose of obtaining a criminal history from the Texas Department of Public Safety and the Federal Bureau of Investigations. (Section 301.252 (b) and Section 301.252 (e) of the Texas Occupations Code)
- All NCLEX applicants with outstanding eligibility issues
that could prevent them from taking the NCLEX examination upon completion
of a nursing program are urged to complete a Declaratory Order application. The
Declaratory Order process permits the Board to make decisions regarding an
applicant's eligibility for licensure prior to entering or completing a nursing
program.
For more information, including Declaratory and Licensure applications click this Forms link.
Becoming a Nurse
- Rule 214 - Vocational Nursing Education
- Rule 215 - Professional Nursing Education
- Rule 219 - Advanced Nurse Practitioner Programs
- Rule 217 - Licensure, Peer Assistance and Practice
- Information
for Internationally Educated Nurses; Becoming a Licensed Nurse in the United
States
pdf
Computer Adaptive Testing (CAT) and the NCLEX
An informational video, produced under the guidance of NCSBN's Examinations department, to explain computer adaptive testing (CAT) and how it is used by NCLEX to measure the competencies needed to perform safely and effectively as a newly licensed, entry-level nurse. CAT is a method for administering exams that merges computer technology with modern measurement theory to increase the efficiency of the exam process. Topics covered include item selection and pass/fail rules.
Faculty Information
- Clinical
- Complaints about Nursing Program or Faculty
- Education Webinars
- Education Webinar Presentation on Implementing the DECs scheduled for November 17, 2011.
Dean or Director and Faculty
PowerPoint Presentations
What are the qualifications for nursing faculty in Texas
nursing programs?
For professional nursing education programs, Rule 215.7(c)(1) related to Faculty
Qualifications and Faculty Organization requires in pertinent part that "Each
nurse faculty member shall (A) hold a current license or privilege to practice
as a registered nurse in the State of Texas; (B) show evidence of teaching abilities
and maintaining current knowledge, clinical expertise, and safety in subject
area of teaching responsibility; (C) hold a master’s degree, preferably
in nursing. A nurse faculty member holding a master’s degree in a discipline
other than nursing shall hold a bachelor’s degree in nursing from an accredited
baccalaureate program in nursing; and (i) if teaching in a diploma or associate
degree nursing program, shall have at least six semester hours of graduate level
content in nursing appropriate to his/her teaching responsibilities, or (ii)
if teaching in a baccalaureate level program, shall have at least 12 semester
hours of graduate level content in nursing appropriate to his/her teaching responsibilities." It
is expected that nursing faculty will be assigned to teach in their areas of
expertise, i.e. focus of Master’s degree, and/or nursing practice experience.
In addition, the governing institution of a professional nursing education program may have other requirements for faculty members within that institution.
For vocational nursing education programs, Rule 214.7 (c)(2)(A-D) related to Faculty Qualifications and Responsibilities requires that faculty hold a current license or privilege to practice nursing in the State of Texas; have been actively employed in nursing for the past three years. If the instructor has not been actively employed in nursing for the past three years, the instructor's advanced preparation in nursing, nursing education, and nursing administration, and prior relevant nursing employment may be taken into consideration in evaluating qualifications for the position; and, have had three years varied nursing experiences since graduation. They also must show evidence of teaching abilities and maintaining current knowledge, clinical expertise, and safety in subject area of teaching responsibility.
Orientation to Educational Rules and Regulations
- Face to Face Orientation for new directors will be scheduled Spring 2012.
Education Rules
- Rule 214 - Vocational Nursing Education
- Rule 215 - Professional Nursing Education
- Rule 219 - Advanced Nurse Practitioner Programs
- Exemptions for Nursing Educational Programs with NLNAC and CCNE Accreditation.
Helpful Links
- Guidelines for Nursing Education
- NCLEX- PNŽ and NCLEX-RNŽ
- Nursing Students with Disabilities pdf
- Out-of-State Programs/Online Programs/Correspondence Courses
- Peer Review/ Safe Harbor for Faculty
- Policies, Faculty, Program, Student
Position Statements/References
- Memorandum of Understanding between the Texas Board of Nursing and the Texas State
Board of Pharmacy. pdf - 15.4 Educational Mobility
- 15.16 Development of Nursing Educational Programs
- 15.26 Simulation in Prelicensure Nursing Education
Reports/Data
- Strategies Utilized to Improve Candidates' Performance on the NCLEX Examination pdf
- Report on the Possible Impact of Repeat Test-Takers on NCLEX Pass Rates pdf
- Differentiated Essential Competencies of Graduates of Texas Nursing Programs (Revised 10/2010) pdf
Programs will be expected to develop a plan for implementation of the new DECs (incorporation into curriculum) by Spring 2012. If you have questions, you may contact your education consultant. - Statewide Plan to Create Innovative Models for Nursing Education To Increase RN Graduates in Texas
Professional Nursing Education Programs pdf
- Increasing RN Graduates in Texas - A Report to the 79th Legislature pdf
by The Task Force to Increase RN Graduates in Texas - NCLEX-PN and NCLEX-RN Pass Rates
- Summary Report of New Dean,
Director, Coordinator and Faculty Waivers 2004-2005 pdf
- Historical Documents - Educational Reports