Nursing

Commissioner's Regulations
Part 52.12, Registration of Curricula

1. Programs which prepare for admission to licensing examinations.
   1. The curriculum for a program preparing for admission to the licensing examination for registered professional nurse shall meet the following standards:
      1. The program leading to the diploma in nursing shall include a minimum of the equivalent of 30 semester hours in nursing and shall be at least two years in length.
      2. The program leading to an associate degree with a major in nursing shall include a minimum of 30 semester hours or the equivalent in nursing.
      3. The program leading to a baccalaureate or higher degree with a major in nursing shall include a minimum or 40 semester hours or the equivalent in nursing.
   2. The curriculum for a program preparing for admission to the licensing examination for licensed practical nurse shall meet the following standards:
      1. The curriculum offered by an agency or institution other than a college shall be a minimum or nine months in length.
      2. The curriculum offered by a college shall be a minimum or two semesters or the equivalent in length.
   3. Clinical facilities. A written contract or agreement shall be executed between the institution conducting the nursing program and the cooperating clinical facility or agency, shall be signed by the responsible officer or each party, and shall set forth the responsibilities or each party.
   
   
2. Programs and courses in nursing other than those that prepare for admission to a licensing examination.
   1. Nurse practitioner programs.
      1. Definitions of terms.
         1. For purposes of this paragraph, the term nurse practitioner program means an educational program which meets the requirements of this paragraph and which has as its objective the education of nurses who will, upon completion of their studies in such programs, be qualified to provide services, within the scope of practice permitted by section 6910 of the Education Law.
      2. Registration. No nurse practitioner program shall be offered until such program has been registered by the department.
      3. Admission. Licensure as a registered nurse in New York or another jurisdiction of the United States shall be required for admission to a registered program, except that in a combined program of education as a registered professional nurse and as a nurse practitioner, registered by the department or accredited by an accrediting agency acceptable to the department, the nurse practitioner component may be taken upon successful completion of the registered nurse component.
      4. Curriculum. The curriculum shall include, in addition to the requirements of section 52.2 (c) of this Title:
         1. classroom and supervised clinical designed to prepare nurse practitioners in the areas of diagnosis of illness and physical conditions and the performance of therapeutic and corrective measures within a specialty area of practice;
         2. a pharmacology component of not less than three semester hours or the equivalent; to include instruction in drug management of clients in the nurse practitioner specialty area and instruction in New York State and Federal laws and regulations relating to prescriptions and recordkeeping; and
         3. a preceptorship experience, supervised by a nurse practitioner or physician practicing in the specialty area of the program, of at least one semester in length or its equivalent.
      5. Credential. Upon satisfactory completion of all components of the program including class, supervised clinical nursing practice, and preceptorship, a certificate of completion indicating the specialty area shall be issued to each individual by the sponsoring institution/agency.
   2. Other courses. No institution may offer courses in clinical nursing for students enrolled in basic nursing programs, or for graduates of State-approved nursing education programs who are not licensed and currently registered to practice nursing in New York, unless such courses have been registered by the department.