New Nursing Instructor

[Darline Medina, BSN]

Hi everyone, 

I just started a new position as a nursing instructor for a PN program and wanted some advice on how other programs work. Our program is different; it is run under a K-12 school. Administration has been doing a lot of the decision making for the program and going over the DON of the program, sometimes making decisions for the program without her knowledge or even when she does not agree with the decision. 

The program itself has needed some restructuring and a lot of help to keep in going. It has been on probation before with the BON because of low NCLEX passing rates. Since last year passing rates have been at 100% partially due to the face that my coworker has changed a lot of how med-surg and comp (women's health and peds) is taught. I will be teaching fundamentals and starting it from the ground up because the syllabus made no sense. My coworker, the DON and I have been working on making this program great. To make this program great we feel the nursing program should be completely separate from the K-12 administration. 

How does one go about trying to stop them from stepping in and making these decisions for the nursing department? Or is this a known thing for technical colleges under K-12?

For example, the DON agreed for my classroom I should take at least 18 students. According to the Florida BON "The number of program faculty members equals at least one faculty member directly supervising every 12 students unless the written agreement between the program and the agency, facility, or organization providing clinical training sites allows more students, not to exceed 18 students, to be directly supervised by one program faculty member." (464.019 Approval of nursing education programs).  Administration wants 24 students in my class. 

What is the maximum number of students I should have without having a clinical instructor for a group of 24 students?

Any advice would be appreciated. I tried calling the Florida BON with no success. Our department is having a meeting with administration sometime next week and as happy as I was about this position, I am not so thrilled about it now. Is this normal? How do I handle it?

Thank you so much for your thoughts and advice,

New Nurse Educator