A comprehensive, Board-authorized on-site evaluation or review of a written report, and/or documents, for a proposed or existing program in prelicensure or advanced practice education that serves to assess the program’s compliance with the Board’s education standards. See Alabama Board of Nursing Administrative Code §610-X-3- .01(17).
Every effort is made by the Alabama Board of Nursing to schedule the survey visit at a time that is least disruptive to the program and staff.
Notifications include, but are not limited to:
  • At least ninety (90) days prior to the Survey, the ABN calls to provide general information regarding the survey process.
  • Following the phone call, programs will receive written notification of the upcoming survey visit month. The letter will specify a time frame for the survey and may request two possible dates for the visit, which will include as many staff and students as possible to participate in the survey.
  • Eighty days (80) prior to the survey, the ABN sends a letter confirming the survey date.
  • Thirty days (30) prior to the Survey the program sends the completed Nursing Education Program Self-Compliance Evaluation Tool to the Alabama Board of Nursing office no later than the date listed in the confirmation of survey visit letter.
  • Fifteen days (15) prior to the Survey, the ABN sends a letter with a tentative agenda and details about the survey.
  • Interviews with the Nursing Program Administrator and other administrators of the governing institution, as desired
  • Interviews with faculty and students
  • Tour of facilities, including nursing skills, computer, and simulation labs
  • Review of additional documents not previously submitted to the Board
Typically, the Alabama Board of Nursing conducts surveys and evaluates nursing education programs for continuing approval by the Board not less than every five (5) years, but programs may be evaluated as often as necessary to determine compliance with all standards set forth in Chapter 610-X-3.
Reasons for a focused site visit include, but are not limited to:
  • Complaints from students, faculty, and clinical agencies
  • Turnover of program administrators defined by more than three administrators in a five-year period
  • Frequent nursing faculty turnover
  • Frequent reductions in numbers of nursing faculty
  • Decreasing trends in NCLEX pass rates
Basic instructions will be provided to the program after confirmation of the survey visit. However, required forms are available on the ABN website under Nursing Education →Program Resources →ABN Site Survey Visits.
  • Accreditation is the voluntary, self-regulatory process by which non-governmental associations recognize educational institutions or programs that have been found to meet or exceed standards and criteria for educational quality. Accreditation also assists in the further improvement of the institutions or programs as related to resources invested, processes followed, and results achieved.
  • Approval is the term most state regulatory agencies use to describe the approval of nursing education programs that meet the minimum standards outlined in the state nurse practice act and/or related rules and regulations.
Yes. All Alabama prelicensure nursing education programs and advanced practice nursing education programs, including Alabama distance nursing education programs, must be approved by the Alabama Board of Nursing to obtain national nursing accreditation.
Yes. All Alabama prelicensure nursing education programs and advanced practice nursing education programs, including Alabama distance nursing education programs, must be approved by the Alabama Board of Nursing and accredited by a national nursing accrediting agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education within five (5) years of approval by the Board, in the case of a new program.
Yes. Alabama advanced practice nursing education programs in operation prior to December 31, 2020, are considered in approved status. Advanced practice nursing education programs established in Alabama on or after January 1, 2021, shall obtain Board approval prior to implementation.