January 2019

APPROVED PROVIDER APPLICATION CRITERIA AND GUIDELINES

The information contained within this document is based upon the “2015 ANCC Primary Accreditation Approver Application Manual” (2015) published by the American Nurses Credentialing Center’s Commission on Accreditation (ANCC COA). Some of the information is excerpted and directly quoted from the ANCC COA publication.The awarding of Approved Provider status is the means whereby the Texas Nurses Association (TNA), an accredited approver of continuing nursing education by the American Nurses Credentialing Center’s Commission on Accreditation, grants public recognition to an Approved Provider Unit that has met the established standards for providing continuing nursing education (CNE) activities.

1. The Approved Provider Unit must be administratively and operationally responsible for coordinating all aspects of the continuing nursing education – assessing an education need, planning, implementing, and evaluating continuing nursing education activities – provided by an organization. An Approved Provider Unit may be either:

a. A single-focused organization devoted to offering continuing nursing education. A single-focused organization exists for the single purpose of providing education or,

b. A distinct, separate identified unit within a complex, multi-focused organization. A multi-focused organization exists for more than the purpose of providing education.

First time applicants must have an operational provider unit for at least six (6) months prior to submitting an Approved Provider application. The six (6) month time frame is measured by the date on the first individual activity approval letter.

2. Organizations ineligible to become an Approved Provider Unit. The following two (2) types of organizations are ineligible for approval as an Approved Provider Unit.

a. Commercial Interest is any entity either producing, marketing, re-selling, or distributing healthcare goods or services consumed by, or used on, patients or that is owned or controlled by an entity that produces, markets, re-sells, or distributes healthcare goods or services consumed by, or used on, patients.

b. Multi-Regional Provider is an organization that targeted/marketed greater than 50% of their education activities provided in the previous calendar year to Registered Nurses in multiple regions based on the US Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) Regions. Activities offered over the internet could be considered to be targeted/marketed in multiple regions. TNA falls within region 6.

These two (2) organization types should contact the national accrediting body – ANCC.3. First-time applicants: Application to become an Approved Provider Unit is permitted once the

following milestones have been accomplished.a. The CNE provider unit applying has been operational a minimum of six (6) months. This time

frame is measured by the date on the first TNA individual activity approval letter.b. The applicant has planned, implemented, and evaluated at least three (3) individual activities

under the auspices of a Nurse Planner.* The activities must be at least 1.0 contact hours and were approved by TNA during the twelve (12) months prior to submitting the Approved Provider application. These activities may not be joint provided. They may not be three (3) sessions from the same conference.

c. The applicant has met eligibility criteria – i.e. it is not either a commercial interest or a multi-regional provider.

*Nurse Planner: The Nurse Planner is responsible for adhering to ANCC/TNA criteria in the provision of continuing nursing education. The Nurse Planner must be a Registered Nurse with a current, valid, unencumbered license and a baccalaureate or higher degree in nursing. The Nurse Planner must demonstrate competence in the performance of his/her role.

1

January 2019

4. Re-applying Applicants for continuing Approved Provider status are required to submit three (3) education activities that have been presented under their Approved Provider status during the previous 12 months. Documentation of these three (3) activities must meet TNA and ANCC COA criteria and the definition of and criteria for continuing nursing education as established by Texas Board of Nursing (BON). Each activity sample must be submitted on the appropriate TNA Approved Provider Activity Form. The sample activities may be either Provider-Directed or Learner-Paced activities. If the applicant implements both types of education activities, one of each type must be submitted, with the third sample the choice of the applicant. If the Approved Provider Unit has joint provided an activity in the past 12 months, include a joint provided activity as a sample activity. If the Approved Provider Unit has received commercial support in the past 12 months, include a commercially supported activity as a sample activity. Your sample activities should be reflective of the types of activities your Approved Provider Unit has provided in the past 12 months. One of the purposes of the activity samples is to demonstrate the Approved Provider Unit’s ability to plan, implement, and evaluate education activities based on the most current ANCC/TNA standards.

5. Approved Provider applications are accepted two (2) times per year. Upon receipt of the application, a two-member Nurse Peer Review team conducts an assessment. Each member independently evaluates the application and then the Nurse Peer Review team members confer with each other regarding their findings. The Nurse Peer Reviewers may contact the applicant to request additional materials, as necessary, based upon this review. During the semi-annual CNE Committee meeting, the Nurse Peer Review team will submit its findings to the Committee.

6. Approved Provider status is granted for a three-year period. Approved Providers are approved to offer continuing nursing education activities during this three-year period. CNE activities may not be offered beyond the expiration date of the Approved Provider status.Approval as an Approved Provider is recognition of an Approved Provider Unit’s capacity to award contact hours for continuing nursing education activities, planned, implemented and evaluated by the Approved Provider Unit. The Approved Provider Unit may offer an unlimited number of education activities during the period of approval. Before applying for Approved Provider status, an applicant must meet the eligibility requirements and demonstrate knowledge of TNA and ANCC COA criteria.

7. Approved Provider Units may repeat previously provided activities during the new Approved Provider cycle. Activities should be reviewed, at a minimum, every two years, for currency of information and updated to reflect current TNA and ANCC COA criteria using the current Approved Provider Activity form.

8. Should Approved Provider status expire, all activities offered under that Approved Provider ID number cease to be available for the awarding of contact hours without approval through TNA.

9. Valuable resources to have accessible when developing a Approved Provider Application for Continuing Nursing Education would include, but are not limited to: “Approved Provider Application Criteria and Guidelines”; “Scope and Standards for Practice for Nursing Professional Development”; and, if a re-applying applicant, your previous Approved Provider application.

2

January 2019

APPROVED PROVIDER APPLICATION SUBMISSION CRITERIAApproved Provider applications are accepted twice yearly and are due in the TNA office by 5:00 pm on either January 15th or July 15th for review by the CNE Committee. Late applications are not accepted and will be returned. THERE IS NO RETROACTIVE APPROVAL.

It is the responsibility of Approved Provider Units submitting re-applications to know their Approved Provider status expiration date and the appropriate application submission deadline. For Approved Providers with an approval period that expires on March 31st, applications must be in the TNA office by 5:00 pm on January 15th of the same year. For Approved Providers with an approval period that expires on September 30th, applications must be in the TNA office by 5:00 pm on July 15th.

Directions: Submission:

Develop your Approved Provider application in Word or Adobe (PDF). Divide your Approved Provider application into its four (4) sections

Core application and appendices Sample activity #1 or approval letter #1 Sample activity #2 or approval letter #2 Sample activity #3 or approval letter #3 and the Approved Provider application form

Attach each of the above listed sections to a separate email – four (4) separate emails in total In the Subject line of the email include your Approved Provider name and what section is

attached IE:  ABC Approved Provider Unit – Core application and appendices       ABC Approved Provider Unit – Sample activity #1 or Approval letter #1       ABC Approved Provider Unit – Sample activity #2 or Approval letter #2       ABC Approved Provider Unit – Sample activity #3 or Approval letter #3 and

decision form If your activity is too large to fit into one (1) email, divide it up.

In the Subject line include:  ABC Approved Provider Unit – Sample Activity #1A                                             ABC Approved Provider Unit – Sample Activity #1B

Send all the emails to: cne@texasnurses.org

The application consists of four sections and must be completed in its entirety. Information must be typed directly on the form in the space provided. If additional space is required to complete a required element, then clearly label where the information continues. Adding extra space to the application section is the preferred method and will facilitate review. Supplemental information such as organizational charts, position descriptions and the attestation should be placed in an appendix with each document clearly identified. A table of contents must be included with the application. Each page of the application, the appendices and the education activities, must be numbered in sequence from beginning to end, starting with page one (1).

Send one (1) typed copy of the Approved Provider Application to: cne@texasnurses.org.

3

January 2019

Approval Period: The approval period for an Approved Provider Unit is three (3) years. Fee: $2,600 .00

Inpatient facilities (i.e. hospitals, rehab hospitals, etc.) with less than 3 physical locations/separate addresses (not related to hospital license but to separate facilities).

Universities/colleges with less than three (3) campuses served by the Approved Provider Unit. Clinics with less than three (3) physical locations/separate address (not related to a license)

served by the Approved Provider Unit. Single-focused organization.

$3,600.00 Inpatient facilities (i.e. hospitals, rehab hospitals, etc.) with more than 3 physical

locations/separate addresses (not related to hospital license but to separate facilities). Universities/colleges with more than three (3) campuses served by the Approved Provider Unit. Clinics with more than three (3) physical locations/separate address (not related to a license)

served by the Approved Provider Unit.

To qualify for a $500.00 reduction in the required application review fee, the Approved Provider Unit’s Primary Nurse Planner or an appropriate designee must have attended a Texas Nurses Association/Foundation Approved Provider Workshop within the previous 10 months prior to submission.

To determine your Approved Provider application fee, please contact the CNE Program Coordinator at 512-452-0645 ext. 139.

4

January 2019

APPROVED PROVIDER APPLICATION GUIDELINES

ELIGIBILITY ASSESSMENT

Determine if your organization is ineligible to become an Approved Provider Unit. The following two (2) types of organizations are ineligible for approval as an Approved Provider Unit.

Commercial Interest - any entity either producing, marketing, reselling, or distributing health care goods or services consumed by, or used on, patients; or that is owned or controlled by an entity that produces, markets, resells, or distributes health care goods or services consumed by, or used on patients.

Multi-Regional Provider - any organization that promotes/markets/advertises/targets more than 50% of their education activities in the past calendar year to Registered Nurses in multiple regions based on the Department of Health and Human Services regions (i.e. outside of region 6 and its contiguous states).

The next three (3) questions are related to past ensuring the Approved Provider Unit has the required personnel with the appropriate credentials – i.e. Nurse Planner(s) and a Primary Nurse Planner. The Nurse Planner must be a Registered Nurse with both a current, valid, unencumbered license and a baccalaureate or higher degree in nursing and must be actively involved in the planning, implementing, and evaluating of education activities. The Nurse Planner is ultimately responsible and accountable for the education activity and its application.

The Primary Nurse Planner must be a Registered Nurse with both a current, valid, unencumbered license and a baccalaureate or higher degree in nursing. The Primary Nurse Planner is ultimately responsible and accountable for the Approved Provider Unit’s compliance with ANCC/TNA criteria.

The next three (3) questions address more ANCC eligibility requirements for Approved Provider Units:1. How long the applicant organization has been operational?2. Has the Approved Provider Unit been actively providing continuing nursing education over the past

12 months?3. Is the applicant organization in compliance with all applicable federal, state, and local laws and

regulations as they apply to delivering CNE?

The Primary Nurse Planner will be held responsible and accountable for the information contained within the “Approved Provider Application Criteria and Guidelines” document. Therefore, it is highly encouraged that the Primary Nurse Planner review the criteria and guidelines prior to beginning the application process and refer back to them as needed.

It is imperative that the Approved Provider Unit’s Primary Nurse Planner know where to find the most current forms related to developing, implementing and evaluating CNE activities within the Approved Provider Unit and to maintaining the Approved Provider Unit.

1

January 2019

DEMOGRAPHIC DATASubmit requested information on pertinent demographics related to your Approved Provider Unit, such as name, address, and type of organization. Provide detailed information on your Primary Nurse Planner and a secondary contact person. The contact person of choice for the Approved Provider Unit is always the Primary Nurse Planner.

List all physical locations/separate addresses of facilities within this Approved Provider Unit (not related to the hospital license). You may duplicate this page if necessary.

NOTE: The Approved Provider Application is divided into four (4) sections with the three (3) sample activities or three (3) individual activity letters and their evaluation summaries from each activity included at the end of the application.

Organization Overview (OO) Structural Capacity (SC) Educational Design Process (EDP) Quality Outcomes (QO)

These four (4) sections are required documentation for first-time Approved Provider Applicants and those re-applying in order to maintain their Approved Provider status.

2

January 2019

I. APPROVED PROVIDER ORGANIZATIONAL OVERVIEW (OO)

The Organizational Overview (OO) is an essential component of the application process that provides a context for understanding the Approved Provider Unit, and, as appropriate, the organization it is a part of.

Structural Capacity

OO1. Demographics1. Describe features of the Approved Provider Unit that characterize the scope dimensions

such as its size (number of people in the Approved Provider Unit), geographic range (outreach), RN target audience, content areas (topics you offer), and types of activities offered (Provider-Directed/Learner-Paced, joint provided, etc.).

2. Is the Approved Provider part of a multi-focused organization? If yes,a) Describe the multi-focused organization.b) Describe how the dimensions listed in #1 above tie into and support the multi-

focused organization.

OO2. Lines of Authority An Approved Provider Unit may have more than one Nurse Planner. Each Nurse Planner must be a Registered Nurse with a current, valid, unencumbered RN license, have a minimum of a baccalaureate or higher degree in nursing, and experience/knowledge/expertise in ANCC/TNA criteria. If the Approved Provider Unit has more than one Nurse Planner, one of the Nurse Planners must be designated as the Primary Nurse Planner. The Primary Nurse Planner has ultimate authority, accountability, and responsibility for the overall Approved Provider Unit. The Primary Nurse Planner is responsible for ensuring that the Approved Provider Unit implements and adheres to the operational requirements and also oversees and coordinates adherence to TNA and ANCC COA criteria across all activities of the Approved Provider Unit. The Primary Nurse Planner is responsible for adherence to TNA and ANCC COA criteria and assuring that all Nurse Planners receive orientation and ongoing preparation in order to maintain their responsibility for implementing TNA and ANCC COA criteria in their performance of the Nurse Planner’s role. The Nurse Planner has ultimate authority, accountability, and responsibility for individual activities within the Approved Provider Unit. The Nurse Planner is (a) involved in the entire process of delivery from inception through evaluation and follow-up for every continuing nursing education activity offered by the Approved Provider Unit, and (b) guarantees that TNA and ANCC COA criteria guide the development, implementation and evaluation of every continuing nursing education activity offered by the Approved Provider Unit. The unique roles of the Primary Nurse Planner and the Nurse Planner(s) must be clearly delineated in the position descriptions and throughout the entire application.

1. Submit a list of personnel in the Approved Provider Unit. The information in the boxes should include names, degrees/credentials, positions, and titles of the following:

a. Primary Nurse Plannerb. Nurse Planner(s)

2. Submit a position description for each person listed in #1 above.a. The position description for the Primary Nurse Planner must describe their

qualifications (Registered Nurse with a minimum of a baccalaureate or higher degree in nursing), role in the Approved Provider Unit and clearly identify the Primary Nurse Planner’s job functions; addressing authority, accountability, and responsibility for the operations of the Approved Provider Unit; oversight for adherence to TNA and ANCC COA criteria across all activities and the preparation, orientation and on-going preparation of all Nurse Planners. Be sure to clearly mark the portion of the position description that applies to the Primary Nurse Planner’s role in the Approved Provider Unit. If the institutional job/position description does not address the Primary Nurse

3

January 2019

Planner’s role in the Approved Provider Unit, then also submit a position description addendum that does so.

b. The position description for the Nurse Planners must describe their qualifications (Registered Nurse with a minimum of a baccalaureate or higher degree in nursing), role in the Approved Provider Unit and clearly identify the Nurse Planner’s job functions; addressing authority, accountability, and responsibility for adherence to TNA and ANCC COA criteria in individual education activities. Be sure to clearly mark the portion of the position description that applies to the Nurse Planner’s role in the Approved Provider Unit. If the institutional job/position description does not address the Nurse Planner’s role in the Approved Provider Unit, then also submit a position description addendum that does so.

3. Submit an organizational chart that depicts the organizational structure of the Approved Provider Unit. Approved Provider Unit Organizational Chart: Provide the names, degrees/credentials, and titles (both organizationally and as pertains to the Approved Provider Unit) of the individual in each position of the Approved Provider Unit identified on the organizational chart.[Note: Information reflected in 001-1 (“Size of the Approved Provider Unit”), 002-1-A, B, & C, and 002-3 (Approved Provider Unit organizational chart must match.]

4. If part of a larger organization (multi-focused organization), submit an organizational chart, flow chart, or similar image that depicts the organizational structure and the Approved Provider Unit’s location within the organization. Multi-focused Organization (if applicable): If the Approved Provider Unit is part of a multi-focused organization, submit an additional depiction that identifies the Approved Provider Unit’s line of authority and structural location within the total organization. Names and credentials are not required on the multi-focused organization organizational depiction, but it is imperative to indicate where the Approved Provider Unit fits into the overall multi-focused organization.

4

January 2019

Educational Design Process

OO3. Data Collection and Reporting1. The Approved Provider Unit must submit data, at a minimum, annually to TNA.

In order to be able to submit a complete list of all education activities provided by the Approved Provider Unit in the past 12 months (January 2018 to January 2019), the Primary Nurse Planner must have a completed Nursing Activity Reporting System (NARS) report available to TNA upon submission of the Approved Provider Application.

TNA will pull the completed NARS report to include with the Approved Provider Application prior to forwarding the Approved Provider Application to its assigned Nurse Peer Review team.

2. First time applicants should submit current logs for their three (3) TNA approved individual activities included with this application.

Quality Outcomes

OO4. Evidence

An Approved Provider Unit must demonstrate how its structure and processes result in positive outcomes for itself and for Registered Nurses participating in its educational activities.

This section has been moved to the Quality Outcomes (QO) section of the Approved Provider Application.

5

January 2019

II. APPROVED PROVIDER STRUCTURAL CAPACITY (SC)

The capacity of an Approved Provider Unit is demonstrated by commitment, identification of and responsiveness to learner needs, continual engagement in improving outcomes, accountability, leadership, and resources. Applicants will write narrative statements that address each of the criteria under Commitment, Accountability and Leadership to illustrate how structural capacity is operationalized.

In this section of the application, you will be asked for a process description and a specific example. Process Description (Procedure): A narrative that clearly describes the Approved Provider

Unit’s process/procedure for addressing the criteria. How do you do what you do? Upon reviewing the narrative, the Nurse Peer Reviewer should have a clear picture of what the Approved Provider Unit does in relation to the criteria being addressed.

Specific Example: A narrative that describes/illustrates how the criterion is operationalized/implemented within the Approved Provider Unit.

A. Commitment. The Primary Nurse Planner demonstrates commitment to ensuring RNs’ learning needs are met by evaluating the Approved Provider Unit’s processes in response to data that may include but is not limited to aggregate education activity evaluation results, stakeholder feedback (staff, volunteers), and learner/customer feedback.

Describe and, using an example, demonstrate the following:

SC1. The Primary Nurse Planner’s commitment to learner needs, including how the Approved Provider Unit’s processes are revised based on data.

a) SC1 related to the overall functioning of the Approved Provider Unit, not just CNE activities. How does the Primary Nurse Planner (PNP) receive feedback from the learner? How does the PNP receive feedback from stakeholders? (Who are the stakeholders?

How is feedback elicited?) What other sources of data does the PNP have access to that could provide feedback

related to APU processes?b) As PNP, describe a situation, based on overall Approved Provider Unit data, when the

feedback was used to improve the Approved Provider Unit processes.

6

January 2019

B. Accountability. The Primary Nurse Planner is accountable for ensuring that all Nurse Planners in the Approved Provider Unit adhere to ANCC/TNA criteria.

Describe and, using an example, demonstrate the following:

SC2. How the Primary Nurse Planner ensures that all Nurse Planners of the Approved Provider Unit are appropriately oriented/prepared to implement and adhere to ANCC/TNA criteria.

a) Address the procedure used within the Approved Provider Unit: How are Nurse Planners selected to become a member of the Approved Provider

Unit? How does the Primary Nurse Planner orient new Nurse Planners to the Approved

Provider Unit and ANCC/TNA criteria? What resources are available to the new Nurse Planner? How does the Primary Nurse Planner confirm or ensure the new Nurse Planners

understand/comprehend the criteria during their orientation? What processes are in place to ensure the PNP maintains adherence to

ANCC/TNA criteria?b) Describe a situation – Provide an example of how the PNP orients/prepares Nurse

Planners to adhere to ANCC/TNA criteria.

NOTE: If you are an Approved Provider Unit of one, provide an example of how you maintain your competency in ANCC/TNA criteria.

7

January 2019

C. Leadership. The Primary Nurse Planner demonstrates leadership of the Approved Provider Unit through direction and guidance given to individuals involved in the process of assessing, planning, implementing, and evaluating CNE activities in adherence with ANCC/TNA criteria.

Describe and, using an example, demonstrate the following:

SC3. How the Primary Nurse Planner provides direction and guidance to individuals – especially Nurse Planners – involved in the planning, implementing, and evaluating of CNE activities in compliance with ANCC/TNA criteria.

a) Address the procedure used within the Approved Provider Unit: What processes are in place to ensure the Nurse Planner(s) maintains adherence

to ANCC/TNA criteria as it relates to activity development? How is performance monitored?

How does the Primary Nurse Planner interact with the planning committee? What leadership skills would be appropriate to use when guiding Nurse Planners

in their work with planning committees? How is everyone kept up-to-date on changes in ANCC/TNA criteria?

b) Describe a situation – Provide an example of how the PNP has demonstrated leadership in supporting Nurse Planners – or others - in activity planning.

Note: If you are an Approved Provider Unit of one, provide an example of either your succession plan or how you have prepared others who are not part of the Approved Provider Unit but who support the Approved Provider Unit in ANCC/TNA criteria.

SC4. How the Nurse Peer Review Leader of the Texas Nurses Association is used as a resource by the Primary Nurse Planner and/or other Nurse Planner(s) in the Approved Provider Unit.

a) Address the procedure used within the Approved Provider Unit: Who is the Nurse Peer Review Leader? What resources does the Nurse Peer Review Leader provide to the Approved

Provider Unit? Are there triggers within the Approved Provider Unit that would cause the PNP to

contact the Nurse Peer Review Leader?b) Describe a situation – Provide an example of when the PNP has contacted the Nurse Peer

Review Leader.

8

January 2019

III. APPROVED PROVIDER EDUCATIONAL DESIGN PROCESS (EDP)

The Approved Provider Unit has a clearly defined process for assessing needs as the basis for planning, implementing, and evaluating CNE. CNE activities are designed, planned, implemented, and evaluated in accordance with adult learning principles, professional education standards, and ethics.

In this section of the application, you will be asked for a process description and a specific example. Process Description (Procedure): A narrative that clearly describes the Approved Provider

Unit’s process/procedure for addressing the criteria. How do you do what you do? Upon reviewing the narrative, the Nurse Peer Reviewer should have a clear picture of what the Approved Provider Unit does in relation to the criteria being addressed.

Specific Example: A narrative that describes/illustrates how the criterion is operationalized/implemented within the Approved Provider Unit using a specific CNE activity.

NOTE: Examples for the narrative component of this section (EDP 1-7) may be chosen from the sample activities included with this Approved Provider Application or from other CNE activities developed by the Approved Provider Unit. Most importantly, the evidence must demonstrate how the Approved Provider Unit complies with each criterion.

A. Assessment of Learning Needs. CNE activities are developed in response to, and with consideration for, the unique educational needs of the Registered Nurse target audience.

Describe and, using an example, demonstrate the following:

EDP1. The process used by the Nurse Planner to identify a problem in practice or opportunity for improvement (professional practice gap).

a) Address the procedure used within the Approved Provider Unit: How do Nurse Planners identify what the current state of nursing practice is – the

professional practice gap? What questions do Nurse Planners ask to determine if there is a professional

practice gap? What is the critical thinking process used by the Nurse Planner to evaluate a

request for an educational activity?b) Describe a situation – Provide an example illustrating the process used by the Nurse Planner

to determine what professional practice gap exists.

EDP2. How the Nurse Planner identifies the educational need(s) (knowledge, skills and/or practice(s)) that contribute to the professional practice gap.

a) Address the procedure used within the Approved Provider Unit: How does the Nurse Planner validate that a professional practice gap actually

exists? How does the Nurse Planner determine if the professional practice gap is caused

by a gap in knowledge, skill, and/or practice?b) Describe a situation – Provide an example illustrating the processes used by the Nurse

Planner to determine an appropriate educational intervention based on his/her validation of an educational need related to a deficit in knowledge, skill, or practice.

9

January 2019

B. Planning. Planning for each educational activity must be independent from the influence of commercial interest organizations.

Describe and, using an example, demonstrate the following:

EDP3. The process used by the Nurse Planner to identify and resolve all conflicts of interest for all individuals in a position to control educational content.

a) Address the procedure used within the Approved Provider Unit: What is the current ANCC/TNA definition of conflict of interest? What is the Nurse Planner’s role in this process? Does the Approved Provider Unit have a form it uses to gather this information? What is the process if someone refuses/declines to complete the required Conflict

of Interest Disclosure Form? What is the process the Approved Provider Unit uses to identify actual or potential

conflicts of interest? What would constitute a conflict that would need to be resolved? What is the role of the Nurse Planner in resolving actual or potential conflicts of

interest? What are the options? What is the process if the person completing the form states he/she does not have

a conflict of interest, but the Nurse Planner and/or planning committee believes they do?

What is the process the Approved Provider Unit uses to resolve actual or potential conflicts of interest?

b) Describe a situation – Provide an example of the Nurse Planner identifying and resolving a conflict of interest. (If the Nurse Planner(s) within the Approved Provider Unit has never had to resolve a conflict of interest, the example should be based on a situation where a Conflict of Interest (COI) Disclosure Form was reviewed and it was determined no conflict of interest existed; no resolution was required. “Not applicable” is not an acceptable response in this section.)

C. Design Principles. The educational design process incorporates best-available evidence, and appropriate learner engagement strategies.

EDP4. How the Nurse planner ensures the content of the education activity is developed based on best-available current evidence (e.g., clinical guidelines, peer-reviewed journals, experts in the field) to foster achievement of desired outcomes.

a) Address the procedure used within the Approved Provider Unit: How does the Nurse Planner ensure that the content is truly CNE? How does the Nurse Planner ensure that the activity content is based on the best

available and most current evidence? What evidence sources does the Approved Provider Unit accept? How is the Nurse Planner validating that presenters/authors are using the best

available, most current evidence? What process does the Approved Provider Unit use to vet

presenters/authors/content reviewers? What is the role of the Nurse Planner if it is suspected that the content is not based

on the best, most current, available evidence? What steps are taken to ensure content integrity and prevent bias throughout the

educational activity development and implementation?b) Describe a situation – Provide an example of how educational content for a specific activity

was developed based on the best-available, current evidence.

10

January 2019

EDP5. How the Nurse Planner ensures strategies to promote learning and actively engage learners are incorporated into educational activities.

a) Address the procedure used within the Approved Provider Unit: How are teaching methods selected for CNE activities? How does the Approved Provider Unit take into account the learning outcome

when selecting teaching methods/learner engagement strategies? How do the teaching methods/learner engagement strategies contribute to nursing

practice and nursing professional development? How are learners encouraged to actively participate? What steps does the Nurse Planner take to ensure the teaching methods/learner

engagement strategies are congruent with the CNE activity’s content, the RN target audience and the learning outcome?

b) Describe a situation – Provide an example of how learner engagement strategies were chosen that were appropriate to the CNE activity.

11

January 2019

D. Evaluation. A clearly defined method that includes learner input is used to evaluate the effectiveness of each education activity. Results from the activity evaluation are used to guide future activities.

Describe and, using an example, demonstrate the following:

EDP6. How summative evaluation data for an education activity were used to guide future activities.

a) Address the procedure used within the Approved Provider Unit: How is evaluation data collected? How is the evaluation data summarized in a manner that is useful to the planning

committee and the Approved Provider Unit? Who is involved in analyzing the evaluation data? What criteria is used to determine the effectiveness of each activity? What criteria is used to guide future activities?

b) Describe a situation – Provide an example of how CNE activity evaluation data lead to the development of a future activity or was used to assess the effectiveness of an activity.

EDP7. How the Nurse Planner measures change in knowledge, skills and/or practice(s) of the Registered Nurse target audience that are expected to occur as a result of participating in the educational activity.

a) Address the procedure used within the Approved Provider Unit: What short-term evaluation method(s) does the Approved Provider Unit employ? What long-term evaluation methods does the Approved Provider Unit employ? How does the Nurse Planner decide which evaluation method to use based on the

desired outcome and the learning outcome statement and the identified underlying gaps?

b) Describe a situation – Provide an example of how the Nurse Planner measured a change in knowledge, skill, and/or practice based on participation in an educational activity.

12

January 2019

IV. APPROVED PROVIDER QUALITY OUTCOMES (QO)

The Approved Provider Unit engages in an ongoing evaluation process to analyze its overall effectiveness in fulfilling its goals and operational requirements to provide quality CNE.

In this section of the application (with the exception of QO1-a), you will be asked for a process description and a specific example.

Process Description (Procedure): A narrative that clearly describes the Approved Provider Unit’s process/procedure for addressing the criteria. How do you do what you do? Upon reviewing the narrative, the Nurse Peer Reviewer should have a clear picture of what the Approved Provider Unit does in relation to the criteria being addressed.

Specific Example: A narrative that describes/illustrates how the criterion is operationalized/implemented within the Approved Provider Unit.

A. Approved Provider Unit Evaluation Process. The Approved Provider Unit must evaluate the effectiveness of its overall functioning as an Approved Provider Unit.

Describe and, using an example, demonstrate the following:

QO1. The process utilized for evaluating effectiveness of the Approved Provider Unit in delivering quality CNE.

a) The Approved Provider Unit must have a mechanism (e.g. a plan) in place to evaluate the effectiveness of its overall continuing nursing education program. The written overall plan should include what is evaluated, when the evaluation occurs or what might trigger evaluation of an element(s) within the plan, who participates, and the results. Who, what, when, how, (include data sources) and outcomes. A grid format is provided.1) Procedures/Forms: Include a description of the process your Approved Provider Unit

uses to keep your procedures and forms current with ANCC/TNA guidelines and criteria changes.

2) Resources: Material Financial Human

3) Activities4) Repeated activities

b) Describe a situation – Provide an example of the Approved Provider Unit’s evaluation process in action evaluating the effectiveness of the Approved Provider Unit in delivering quality CNE.

13

January 2019

QO2. How the evaluation process for the Approved Provider Unit resulted in the development of or improvement in an identified quality outcome measure.

OO4-1 [This section has been moved from the Organizational Overview section.]

1. Submit a list of the quality outcome measures the Approved Provider Unit collected, monitored, and evaluated over the past 12 months specific to the Approved Provider Unit. Examples of outcome measures include, but are not limited to:

Cost savings for customers Cost savings for the Approved Provider Unit Volume of participants at CNE activities Volume of CNE activities provided Satisfaction of staff and volunteers Satisfaction of presenters Change in format of CNE activities to meet the needs of learners Change in operations to achieve quality outcome measures Operational improvements Quality/cost measures Turnover/vacancy for Approved Provider Unit staff and volunteers Professional development opportunities for staff and volunteers

Approved Provider Units may use one or more of the above listed outcome measure categories or identify outcome measures that are unique to their Approved Provider Unit.

Outcomes must be written in measurable terms.NOTE: First time applicants - submit a list of quality outcomes that you will continue to collect, monitor, and evaluate over the next three (3) years related to your Approved Provider Unit.

a) Address the procedure used within the Approved Provider Unit: How has the Approved Provider Unit used the data collected in the evaluation

process to achieve or refine an existing quality outcome measure? (Tie to identified quality outcomes list in OO4-1. Include a description of when the quality outcome measure is evaluated; who participates in the process; how the evaluation is performed; and the data sources are used in the evaluation process.)

How has the Approved Provider Unit used the evaluation process to establish/develop a new quality outcome measure?

b) Describe a situation – Provide an example of how the Approved Provider Unit’s internal evaluation process lead to the development of or an improvement in a quality outcome measure.

14

January 2019

B. Value/Benefit to Nursing Professional Development. The Approved Provider Unit shall evaluate data to determine how the Approved Provider Unit, through the learning activities it has provided, has influenced the professional development of its RN learners.

Describe and, using an example, demonstrate the following:

QO3. How, over the past 12 months, the Approved Provider Unit has enhanced nursing professional development.

OO4-2 [This section has been moved from the Organizational Overview section.]

Submit a list of quality outcome measures the Approved Provider Unit collected, monitored, and evaluated over the past 12 months specific to Nursing Professional Development.

Examples of outcome measures include, but are not limited to: Professional practice behaviors Leadership skills Critical thinking skills Nurse competency High-quality care based on best-available evidence Improvement in nursing practice Improvement in patient outcomes Improvement in nursing care delivery

Approved Provider Units may use one or more of the above listed outcome measure categories or identify outcome measures that are unique to their Approved Provider Unit.

Outcomes must be written in measurable terms.NOTE: First-time applicants – submit a list of the quality outcome measures that you will continue to collect, monitor, and evaluate over the next three (3) years related to Nursing Professional Development.

a) Address the procedure used within the Approved Provider Unit: What nursing professional development quality outcome measures does the

Approved Provider Unit monitor? (Tie to identified quality outcomes listed in OO4-2.)

What methods does the Approved Provider Unit use to monitor the listed nursing professional development quality outcome measures? Include a description of when the quality outcome measure is evaluated; who participates in the process; how the evaluation is preformed; and what data sources are used in the evaluation process.

What is done with the information/data gleaned from the monitoring process? What data has been collected over the past 12 months that has validated that the

Approved Provider Unit has enhanced nursing professional development? How does the Approved Provider link its continuing nursing education activities to

improvements in nursing professional development? How has the Approved Provider Unit used the data collected in the evaluation

process to establish/develop a new quality outcome measure?b) Describe a situation – Provide an example of how, in the past 12 months, the Approved

Provider Unit has enhanced nursing professional development based on the quality outcome measures the Approved Provider Unit has been monitoring.

15

January 2019

C. Operational Requirements Attestation. The Approved Provider Unit must implement the operational requirements throughout the three-year period of approval. The Primary Nurse Planner – and the Primary Nurse Planner only - must sign the Operational Requirements Attestation. Submit the signed attestation with your application. Place it in the Appendix, with its page number clearly noted in the application.

D. Three (3) Education Activities:

The Approved Provider Unit applicant must provide three (3) examples of continuing nursing education activities implemented by the Approved Provider Unit within the previous 12-month period.

For re-applying applicants, submit three (3) activities from the previous 12 months (January 2018 to January 2019) on the appropriate Approved Provider Activity Documentation Tool and the evaluation summary for each of the three (3) activities. Sample activities should reflect the type of activities offered in the previous 12 months.

For first-time applicants, submit a copy of the TNA approval letter for each activity and the evaluation summary for each of the three (3) activities.

16

January 2019

APPROVED PROVIDER APPLICATION DECISION FORM:

SECTION I.

This page has been added to provide your Nurse Peer Reviewer team with basic information about the activities you have submitted. Please complete Section I. It should not be separated from Section II when you create your application.SECTION II.

This section is to be completed by your Nurse Peer Review team.PLEASE LOCATE THIS ENTIRE PAGE AT THE VERY END OF YOUR APPLICATION FOR EASE OF RETRIEVAL. Do not separate this form into two pages. Thank you.

17