OAR 851-054-0030
Standards for Clinical Nurse Specialist Programs
(1)
The CNS program shall be a minimum of 30 semester hours or 45 quarter hours in length. Post graduate advanced practice registered nurse applicants who obtained CNS preparation in a different role or population focus may complete less than 30 semester hours or 45 quarter hours with documentation of the following:(a)
Completion of directly supervised clinical hours in the applicable CNS role;(A)
500 minimum supervised clinical (clock) hours of clinical experience for master’s and post-graduate preparation if completed after January 1, 2007; or(B)
1,000 minimum supervised clinical (clock) hours for post-baccalaureate practice doctorate preparation.(b)
Completion of curriculum requirements in place for the CNS program at the time of matriculation with evidence of any advanced placement or credit for prior learning; and(c)
Specialty and population specific competencies as required for practice in the CNS role and three spheres of influence.(2)
CNS Educators who teach within the CNS program shall be educationally and clinically prepared in the same population focus and clinical areas they teach and shall include state certified advanced practice registered nurses.(3)
The curriculum content shall contain theory and clinical experience in the CNS population focus for which application is being made, preparing the graduate to meet all core competencies within the CNS scope including the three spheres of influence. Graduates as of June 30, 2015 need to demonstrate successful completion of discrete graduate level courses in advanced level physical assessment, pharmacology, and pathophysiology.(4)
The clinical experience must consist of full scope preparation in the CNS population focus for which application is being made as well as the three spheres of influence.(5)
In the event of program revision, programs must maintain and provide upon request documentation that students met the program’s curriculum requirements at the time of enrollment and matriculation into the program. Any discrepancies must be justified.(6)
Written program materials shall accurately reflect the mission, philosophy, purposes, and objectives of the program.(7)
Programs shall demonstrate appropriate course sequencing and requirements for matriculation into the program, including completion of all pre-licensure nursing curriculum requirements before advancement into CNS clinical coursework.(8)
Clinical preceptors shall meet clinical and licensure qualifications for the state in which they practice.(9)
Distance and asynchronous learning programs shall meet all standards of OAR 851-054-0030 (Standards for Clinical Nurse Specialist Programs).(10)
Clinical Nurse Specialist programs outside of the United States shall meet all standards of OAR 851-054-0030 (Standards for Clinical Nurse Specialist Programs). Such programs shall be determined by Board approved or directed credentials review to be equivalent to graduate nursing programs offered in the United States that prepare the graduate for practice within the CNS scope. Nationally recognized nursing accreditation standards or guidelines may be applied by the Board at the Board’s discretion, in accordance with the Oregon Office of Degree Authorization regulations.
Source:
Rule 851-054-0030 — Standards for Clinical Nurse Specialist Programs, https://secure.sos.state.or.us/oard/view.action?ruleNumber=851-054-0030.