Meeting of the Board of Regents | September 2009

THE STATE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT / THE UNIVERSITY OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK / ALBANY, NY 12234

 

TO:
FROM:	Frank Muñoz
SUBJECT:	Regents Permission to Operate in New York State:   University of Pennsylvania
DATE:	September 1, 2009
STRATEGIC GOAL:	Goal 2
AUTHORIZATION(S):

 

Summary

 

Issue for Decision (Consent Agenda)

 

Should the Regents approve the proposed extension of permission to operate in New York State for the University of Pennsylvania?

 

Reason(s) for Consideration

 

Required by State statute

 

Proposed Handling

 

The question will come before the full Board at its September 2009 meeting where it will be voted on and action taken.  

 

Procedural History

 

Regents permission to operate in New York State is required by Section 224 of the Education Law which prohibits out-of-state colleges and universities from transacting business in New York without Regents permission.

 

Background Information

 

The University of Pennsylvania seeks to extend Regents permission to operate in New York State in order to place master’s degree students from its Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing program in a health agency in New York for supervised clinical experiences.  Section 6908 of the Education Law restricts the practice of nursing to licensed persons or students enrolled in educational programs that the State Education Department has registered.  The University’s Master of Science in Nursing programs are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE). The programs meet the standards for registration as set forth in the Regulations of the Commissioner of Education.

 

Recommendation

 

It is recommended that the Regents approve the proposed permission to operate, effective September 15, 2009, to authorize the University of Pennsylvania to use one clinical agency in New York for clinical education of students enrolled in the clinical specialist and nurse practitioner options of its Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing program leading to the Master of Science in Nursing degree.

 

Timetable for Implementation

 

This approval will be effective until September 30, 2014.

 

INFORMATION IN SUPPORT OF RECOMMENDATION

 

              The request for extension of permission to operate in New York State is being made for the program titled Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing.  The program in question received its initial five-year approval in June 2004. Currently, the University of Pennsylvania has Regents permission to annually use clinical placements in New York for master’s degree programs in adult acute care (2 students), adult oncology (5 students), nurse-midwifery (1 student), neonatal (1 student), pediatric acute/chronic care (1 student), pediatric critical care (5 students), pediatric oncology (1 student), pediatric primary care (2 students), psychiatric-mental health (3 students), and women’s health care (1 student) as well as its bachelor’s degree program (15 students).

 

              The University of Pennsylvania requests permission to annually place one Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing student at Mount Sinai Hospital.  Each Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing option requires completion of 14 course units, the equivalent of 46 semester hours.  The courses in the clinical specialist and nurse practitioner options are essentially identical.  The difference lies in the nature of the clinical placements and whether the preceptors are nurse practitioners or physicians as required for the nurse practitioner option.  Preceptors will be responsible for completing a clinical evaluation for each student at the end of the clinical experience.  Full-time University of Pennsylvania School of Nursing faculty will be in contact with preceptors during each placement.    

 

              The University is accredited by the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools. The School of Nursing’s programs are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) and fully approved by the Pennsylvania State Board of Nursing.

 

              Staff have determined that there would be no reduction in access to clinical experiences at the cooperating facility if authorization is granted.  Because of the limited nature of the University’s authorization to operate in New York State, it should have no effect on New York institutions.

 

              The Office of the Professions has determined that the University of Pennsylvania meets the standards for registration set forth in the Regulations of the Commissioner of Education.