Arizona Nurses Association
Approved Provider Unit Application
And Approved
Self Study
PU
Application
Guidelines
Instructions
The purpose of this document is to provide organizations or groups that wish to have Approved
Provider Unit (PU) status with application and self-study guidelines.
Page
Topic
1. Criteria for Approval
2. Part 1 of 4
3. Part 2 of 4
4. Part 3 of 4 (Eligibility Requirements)
5. Approval Specifics
6. Directions for Self-Study Submission
7. Part 4 of 4 (Approved Provider Self-Study
Document)
a. Organizational Overview
b. Criterion 1: Structural Capacity (SC)
c. Criterion 2: Educational Design Process (EDP)
d. Criterion 3: Quality Outcomes (QO)
Appendices
2
3
5
5
5
13
14
If you are viewing this document electronically, you can click on the topic and you will be taken to that
section in the document.
1850 East Southern Avenue, Suite 1
Tempe, Arizona 85282-5832
Phone 480.831.0404
Fax 480.839.4780
Email info@aznurse.org
AzNA Provider Unit Guidelines
2013
1of 15
CRITERIA FOR APPROVAL
AS AN APPROVED PROVIDER UNIT (PU) OF
CONTINUING NURSING EDUCATION
General Information (top of document)
Approval as an Approved Provider Unit (PU) by the Arizona Nurses Association (AzNA) is recognition that the
applicant has a quality organization, educational processes, and capacity to award contact hours for continuing
education (CE) activities. This recognition means that the Approved PU has demonstrated to AzNA their ability
to appropriately assess, plan, implement, and evaluate their CE activities. The Approved PU may offer an
unlimited number of educational activities during their period of approval.
An Approved PU is an organization that plans, implements, and evaluates continuing nursing education
activities. An Approved PU can be a department or entity that is part of a larger organization (for example, a
staff development department within a hospital or a College of Nursing within a University) or an Approved PU
can stand alone (for example, a privately owned company).
Approval as an Approved PU is based on an in-depth self-study and analysis of the quality of several learning
activities to estimate the likelihood of a provider's ability to continue to plan and produce such activities over a
three-year period. To achieve Approved PU approval, an applicant must meet the eligibility requirements and
develop internal policies and processes for the development and review of continuing nursing education.
The Approved PU is responsible for internal monitoring to assure adherence to American Nurses
Credentialing Center's Commission on Accreditation (ANCC/COA) criteria and the Arizona State Nurses’
Association's (AzNA) continuing education criteria.
Annual Review
AzNA monitors PUs on an annual basis. The PU will be notified of the review and required to submit a list of
activities that were provided in the previous 12 months. AzNA will select two (2) activities for review. The PU
will be notified of the results, including any issues that need to be addressed. AzNA may request to review
materials and activities at any time during the PU’s approval period to assure that PU is meeting accreditation
criteria.
Note: Providers Do Not Approve Activities. Approved providers are granted approval to
plan, implement and evaluate activities that meet criteria and rules. Providers have the ability
to award contact hours. Approved providers never have the authority to approve their own or
anyone else’s activities.
The words “approved”, “application” or “applicant” should never be used in connection with
any activity planned and presented by the provider.
The first step is to obtain the Approved Provider Unit Applicant and Self-Study Outline document from the
AzNA website and complete Parts 1-4.
Part 4 is an outline of the Self-Study document you will need to submit for approval. You may use this outline
as a way to organize your Self-Study document and may type your information directly into this outline if you
wish.
AzNA Provider Unit Instructions
2013
2 of 15
Part 1 of 4
APPLICANT INFORMATION
Be sure to complete this section in its entirety before proceeding.
Part 2 of 4
PAYMENT INFORMATION
Be sure to complete this section in its entirety before proceeding.
PART 3 of 4
ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS (top of document)
Any individual, group, or facility that meets the specified criteria can apply to become an Approved PU. See
application for specific requirements.
PLEASE NOTE: Commercial Support Organizations: A provider is ineligible for approval if it is a
commercial interest. A “commercial interest” is any entity either producing, marketing, reselling, or distributing
healthcare goods or services consumed by or used on patients or an entity that is owned or controlled by an
entity that produces, markets, resells, or distributes healthcare goods or services consumed by or used on
patients Exceptions are made for nonprofit or government organizations and non-healthcare-related
companies.
“Commercial support” is financial or in-kind contributions given by a commercial interest that are used to pay
for all or part of the costs of a CNE activity. Providers of commercial support may not be providers or coproviders of an educational activity.
This definition allows a provider to have a ‘sister company’ that is a commercial interest, as long as the
accredited provider has and maintains adequate corporate firewalls to prohibit any influence or control by the
‘sister company over the CE program of the accredited provider. In this case, ANCC would expect that the
accredited provider would have an adequate corporate firewall in place to prohibit any influence or control by
the ‘sister company’ over the CE program.
If there are questions about a potential provider’s commercial interest status and eligibility, please complete the
AzNA Approved Provider Eligibility Commercial Interest Form along with the application. Be sure to contact
AzNA for complete directions.
APPROVAL SPECIFICS FOR APPLICATIONS (top of document)
Application Deadlines
Initial application for Approved PU approval may be submitted at any time.


Approved PUs with current approval status need to submit their renewal application at least 90 days
before the three-year approval ends to assure continuity of the approval.
Renewing provider applicants that have used the 2009 self-study documentation guidelines may
find it helpful to refer to a “crosswalk” to transition to the 2013 documentation format. Click
here for the complete crosswalk…
AzNA Provider Unit Instructions
2013
3 of 15
Each request for approval must meet all current criteria. If approval expires, the Approved PU may not award
contact hours through the AzNA CE system. Approved PUs may only award contact hours for activities
implemented during the three-year approval period. An exception to this occurs when the Approved PU
formally requests an extension to the application process in writing.
A courtesy reminder notice may be sent six (6) months prior to the expiration date to request intent in
submitting a subsequent application. However, the Approved PU is ultimately responsible for tracking its
approval period and submitting their application in a timely manner.
Approval of Individual Activities During the Application Process
The applicant may not offer CE activities as an Approved PU while the Approved Provider application
is in process.
If an applicant wishes to offer approved continuing education while the initial provider application is in process,
Individual Activity Applications must be submitted to AzNA following the appropriate criteria and process and
accompanied by the required application fee.
Approval Period
The approval period for Approved PUs is three (3) years. During the approval period, the Approved PU can
award contact hours for CE activities without submitting documentation to AzNA. However, the ANCC and
AzNA criteria must be met by the Approved PU for each individual CE activity.
Documentation of meeting the criteria must be done on the CE planning forms for each activity and maintained
in a secure file for six (6) years. After Approved PU approval, the applicant is responsible for maintaining these
internal processes to assure adherence to ANCC and AzNA criteria during the three-year approval period.
Withdrawal of an Application
An Approved PU applicant has the right to withdraw an application at any time prior to completion of the
approval process without prejudice to any future applications. The Approved PU applicant must notify AzNA in
writing of the decision to withdraw the application.
One complete application and a copy of all correspondence will be kept on file in the AzNA office for six years.
Fees will not be refunded if the review process has begun. If the review process has not begun, the
application fees will be returned to the applicant minus an administrative charge.
If the applicant decides to withdraw their application, regardless of circumstance, the applicant has up to six (6)
months from initial submission to resume the approval process. If the fee was returned, a new fee must
accompany the request to continue with the application process.
If the application process is not resumed within six months, all eligibility criteria must be met again as a new
applicant.
Denial of an Application
If an applicant is denied approved provider status, the application fee will not be refunded. A new fee must be
submitted if the applicant decides to resubmit the application.
Reconsideration and Appeals
AzNA Provider Unit Instructions
2013
4 of 15
If denial of an application occurs, the applicant will receive the appeal process in writing at the time of the
decision. The applicant has 14 days to appeal from the time of the decision. For more information please
contact the AzNA office.
Voluntary Termination of Accreditation
Approved PUs may voluntarily terminate their accreditation at any time. They must notify AzNA, in writing, at
least 30 days in advance. This written notice must include:
 Effective date of voluntary termination (which must be at least 30 days after the date that appears on
the written notice);
 Reason for voluntary termination; and
 The transition plan.
Notice must be sent by email with confirmation of receipt to debby@aznurse.org or certified mail with signature
confirmation to the AzNA office.
The date voluntary termination is implemented, the Approved PU must immediately cease:
 Offering any CE activities
 Referring to itself in any way as an Approved PU
 Using the ANCC accreditation statement; AND
 Using any ANCC intellectual property, including but not limited to trademarks, trade names, and logos.
Approved PUs that voluntarily terminate their Approved Provider status in good standing may reapply at any
time.
Approval Versus “Re-approval”
The ANCC approval system only allows for approval of Approved PUs. There is no re-approval. Each threeyear approval period is independent of the one before. Approved Providers wishing to continue their
“Approved” Provider status must demonstrate compliance with current criteria and guidelines of the
ANCC/AzNA approval system, following the same process as new applicants.
Application Fee
The fee for application of an Approved PU is $2,000.00.
Annual Reporting Requirements
To monitor compliance with the criteria, all Approved PUs are required to submit annually a complete list of all
CE offerings provided in the past 12 months to include:







activity dates
titles
target audience
total number of participants for each activity
number of contact hours offered for each activity
co-provider status and any sponsorship or commercial support including monetary or in-kind amount
and
any additional requirements of AzNA.
If for any reason, an Approved PU is unable to submit the required documentation within the required
timeframe, the AzNA Office must be contacted as soon as possible. If the AzNA Office does not receive the
required documents by the required due date and the Approved PU has failed to notify the AzNA Office
regarding its delay, the approved Provider status may be suspended or revoked. The provider will receive
written notification from AzNA.
AzNA Provider Unit Instructions
2013
5 of 15
Approved P PUs and organizations with pending applications must notify AzNA, in writing, within seven (7)
business days of the discovery or occurrence of the following:
 Significant changes or events that impair their ability to meet Accreditation Program requirements or
that make them ineligible for approved provider status.
 Loss of status as a C/SNA of the ANA
 Any event that might result in adverse media coverage related to the delivery of a CE activity
 Change in commercial interest status
The Primary Nurse Planner or designee must notify AzNA, in writing, of any change within the Approved PU
within (30) thirty days, including but not limited to:
o Changes that alter the information provided in the application, including change of address or name
o A decision not to submit self-study written documentation after application
o Change in Primary Nurse Planner or an Nurse Planner or suspension, lapse, revocation, or termination
of the Primary Nurse Planner’s registered nursing license
o Change in ownership
o Indication of potential instability (e.g., labor strike, reduction in force, bankruptcy) that may impact the
organization’s ability to function as an Approved Provider.
AzNA Provider Unit Instructions
2013
6 of 15
DIRECTIONS FOR SELF-STUDY SUBMISSION
Accreditation decisions are determined on the basis of compliance with the ANCC Accreditation Program
criteria. In order to validate compliance, the AzNA Review Team must receive comprehensive, well-organized,
clearly written self-study and documents (including narrative descriptions for each criterion, activity files
demonstrating compliance, and supplemental evidence as required or requested).
SELF-STUDY FORMATTING GUIDELINES
Application materials are limited to no more than 50 sheets of paper. Double sided sheets are permitted. (Do
not include record files for three activities in this count.). Damaged documents will be returned.
Documents must be numbered by page.
All photocopies must be readable.
Only typed applications using this form will be accepted. Use a common, 12-point font such as Times New
Roman, Arial, Garamond, or Courier for the text body.
Define acronyms and abbreviations upon first use in the text and include them in a glossary.
Narrative statements should be straight-forward and concise and include minimal extraneous information. They
should refer to data for the 12 months prior to submission. Data older than 12 months may be submitted
sparingly for specific purposes, such as showing long-term commitment to monitoring data, documenting
trends, highlighting best practices, or illustrating continuation of long-term projects.
Include a Table of Contents and number all pages of the report, including appendices, in sequence.
a. Use an Appendix for all supporting documentation (including, but not limited to sample continuing
education activities documents, policies and procedures, biographical data forms, job descriptions,
etc.). Do NOT place supporting documentation in the body of the application. Only information
relating to the 4 sections of the application should be placed in the body of the application.
b. Refer to appendix materials within the body of the application by specific page number.
c. Documents must be cross-referenced.
Provide required documentation for each criterion and section by name and be sure to number them in
sequence.
Each Criterion must be answered in narrative format – submission of activity files alone is not sufficient
evidence to validate adherence.
Supporting evidence to validate or demonstrate adherence may include but is not limited to the following:
meeting minutes, email or written communication, digital pictures, copies of policies or procedures, copies of
templates of contracts.
Identify sections with tabs that are clearly marked and visible when the volumes are closed.
Two (2) complete, spiral-bound, collated, typed, double-sided paper copies must be submitted. Do not send
electronic copies of the application.
Policies and procedures should be included in the self-study. These policies can be in draft form and do not
need to be approved by the organization’s policy and procedure process to be submitted.
Approved PU policies that must be submitted with the self-study include (at a minimum) the following:
 Nurse Planner: Selection and Responsibilities
 Support Staff: Selection and Responsibilities
 Selection of Other Staff for Approved PU (if applicable)
 Use of ANCC Commission on Accreditation Educational Design Criteria to Plan and Implement
All Continuing Nursing Education Activities
 System for Awarding Contact Hours
 Use of Appropriate ANCC Language
 Activity Evaluation
 Verifying Participation and Successful Completion of Activities
 Educational Activities and Certificate of Completion
 Conflict of Interest Guidelines
 Sponsorship and Commercial Support Guidelines (if applicable)
AzNA Provider Unit Instructions
2013
7 of 15
 Sample Commercial Support Agreement (if applicable)
 Sample Exhibitor Agreement (if applicable)
 Honoraria (if applicable)
 Record Storage, Confidentiality, and Retrieval
 Coprovidership (if applicable)
 Providers Cannot Approve Activities
 Monitoring
 Enduring Materials (if applicable)
All the 3 activity files must be submitted in their entirety. Each activity should be labeled separately and each
activity must contain the following items, in the following order:
a. Complete Continuing Education Planning Form
b. Needs Assessment Data
c. Education Planning Table
d. Completed Biographical Data Forms for all planners, presenters, authors, and faculty (including
conflict of interest information, etc.) in alphabetical order
e. Content of activity (such as handouts, Power Point lectures, outlines, etc.) (NOTE: if the activity
is more than 3 contact hours, submit the Educational Planning Table with a minimum of 3 hours of
content along with the schedule and advertising for the full activity)
f. Disclosure Form
g. Evaluation Form
h. Certificate of Completion (NOTE: First time applicants should prepare and submit a sample
certificate of completion containing the accreditation statement to be used once approval is
attained.)
i. All marketing and promotional materials demonstrating use of ANCC approval statement;
j. Signed written commercial support agreement (if applicable);
k. Co-provider agreement (if appropriate);
l. List of participant names and contact information (DO NOT collect or use Social Security
numbers)
m. Summary of evaluation results
n. Follow up form (if used) describing actions taken as a result of CE activity evaluation results
Activity files selected for submission with the self-study should demonstrate a variety of different types of
educational activities including but not limited to as appropriate:
 Live educational activities
 Web-based or enduring materials
 Activity that was co-sponsored
 Activity that received sponsorship or commercial support
 Activity with multiple presenters or topics
AzNA Provider Unit Instructions
2013
8 of 15
Part 4 of 4
APPROVED PROVIDER SELF-STUDY DOCUMENT
Information and Guidelines
(top of document)
The following criteria and elements are required to qualify for approval as an Approved PU. Organizations that
do not meet these eligibility requirements must postpone their application until they have implemented the
necessary conditions. In the remainder of this section, criteria are followed by a description of the supporting
evidence that demonstrates how the Approved PU can meet the criteria.
ORGANIZATIONAL OVERVIEW (top of document)
The overview is an essential component of the application process that provides a context for understanding
the Approved PU/organization. The applicant must submit the following documents and/or narratives:
APPROVED PROVIDER ORGANIZATIONAL OVERVIEW (OO)
STRUCTURAL CAPACITY
OO1. Demographics

Submit a description of the features of the Approved PU which may include, but are not limited to,
scope of services
 size,
 geographical range,
 target audience(s),
 content areas, and
 the type of educational activities offered.

If the Approved PU is part of a multi-focused organization, describe the relationship of these scope
dimensions to the total organization.
OO2. Lines of Authority and Administrative Support (Organizational structures and lines of authority
support the operation of the Approved PU)




Submit a list of the names, credentials, positions, and titles of the Primary Nurse Planner, other Nurse
Planners(s) if any, and all key personnel in the Approved PU.
Submit position descriptions of the Primary Nurse Planner, other Nurse Planners(s) if any, and all
key personnel in the Approved PU.
Submit a chart depicting the structure of the Approved PU, including the Primary Nurse Planner, other
Nurse Planners(s) if any, and all key personnel in the Approved PU.
If the Approved PU is part of a multi-focused organization, submit an organizational chart, flowchart,
or similar kind of image that depicts the organizational structure and the Approved PU’s location within
the organization.
AzNA Provider Unit Instructions
2013
9 of 15
EDUCATIONAL DESIGN PROCESS
OO3. Data Collection and Reporting
Approved PUs provide report data to AzNA are requested at a minimum annually

Submit a complete list of all CE offerings provided in the past 12 months to include: activity dates;
titles; target audience, total number of participants; contact hours offered for each activity; coprovider status; and any sponsorship or commercial support including monetary or in-kind amount;

New applicants: Submit a list of the CNE offerings provided within the past 12 months. If available,
include items listed above; and
QUALITY OUTCOMES
OO4. Evidence
 List Approved PU’s strategic goals with respect to continuing education activities for the past 12
months.
 Submit a list of the quality outcome measures that are collected, monitored, and evaluated that are
specific to the Approved PU. These may include, but are not limited to:
 Cost savings for customers
 Cost savings for Approved PU
 Volume of participants in educational activities
 Volume of educational activities provided
 Satisfaction of staff and volunteers
 Satisfaction of learners
 Satisfaction of faculty
 Change in format of CNE activities to meet the needs of learners
 Change in operations to achieve strategic goals
 Operational improvements
 Quality/cost measures
 Turnover/vacancy for Approved PU staff and volunteers
 Professional development opportunities for staff and volunteers
 Submit a list of the quality outcome measure the Approved Provider collects, monitors, and
evaluates specific to Nursing Professional Development. These may 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
NOTE: New applicants should develop and submit with their self-study a list of strategic goals for the initial 2
years after achieving accreditation and a list of quality outcome measure that will be collected, monitored, and
evaluated.
AzNA Provider Unit Instructions
2013
10 of 15
APPROVED PROVIDER CRITERION 1: STRUCTURAL CAPACITY (SC)
The capacity of an approved provider is demonstrated by commitment, identification and responsiveness to
learner needs, continual engagement in improving outcomes, accountability, leadership and resources.
Approved provider applicants will write narrative statements that address each of the criteria under
Commitment, Accountability, Leadership and Resources to illustrate how the approved provider or applicant's
structural capacity is operationalized.
Each narrative MUST include a specific example that illustrates how the criterion is
operationalized within the Provider Unit.
Commitment— The Primary Nurse Planner demonstrates commitment to ensuring RNs’ learning needs are
met by evaluating Approved PU goals in response to data that may include, but is not limited to, aggregate
individual education activity evaluation results, stakeholder feedback (staff, volunteers) and learner/customer
feedback.
Describe and use an example to demonstrate:
 SC1--The Primary Nurse Planner’s commitment to learner needs including how Approved PU processes
are revised based on data.
Only complete SC2 if Approved PU is part of a larger organization:

SC2-- How the organization’s leadership is committed to supporting the goals of the Approved PU.
Accountability—The Primary Nurse Planner is accountable for ensuring that all Nurse Planners and key
personnel in the Approved PU adhere to the ANCC Accreditation Criteria.
Describe and use an example to demonstrate how the Primary Nurse Planner:


SC3—How the Primary Nurse Planner ensures that all Nurse Planner(s) and key personnel of the
Approved PU maintain adherence to the ANCC Accreditation criteria.
SC4—How the Primary Nurse Planner is accountable for resolving issues related to providing CNE.
Leadership— The Primary Nurse Planner demonstrates leadership of the Approved PU through direction and
guidance given to individuals involved in the process of assessing, planning, implementing, and evaluating CE
activities in adherence to the ANCC Accreditation Criteria.
Describe and use an example to demonstrate:


SC5—How the Primary Nurse Planner ensures that every Nurse Planner maintains accreditation
standards and guides the planning team or committee for an individual education activity.
SC6—How the AzNA CE Review Coordinator is used as a resource by the Primary Nurse Planner
and/or other Nurse Planner(s) of the Approved PU.
Resources— The Primary Nurse Planner advocates for and utilizes available human, material, and financial
resources to ensure that the Approved PU achieves its goal of meeting identified quality outcome measures.
Describe and use an example to demonstrate:

SC7--How the Primary Nurse Planner advocates for resources to ensure the Approved PU achieves its
goals related to quality outcome measures.
AzNA Provider Unit Instructions
2013
11 of 15
APPROVED PROVIDER CRITERION 2: EDUCATIONAL DESIGN PROCESS (EDP)
The Approved PU has a clearly defined process for assessing learner 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.
As a component of the Educational Design Process, the Approved Provider applicant should select and
submit three (3) CNE activity files to AzNA that have been planned within 12 months of the Approved
Provider application date and comply with the ANCC criteria.
Examples for the narrative component of the application and self-study may be chosen from, but are not limited
to, those contained in the submitted activity files. Evidence must demonstrate how the Approved PU complies
with each criterion.
The Approved PU’s activity files will be evaluated on the following:

Assessment of Learning Needs. Continuing education activities are developed in response to, and
with consideration for, the unique educational needs of the target audience.

Planning. Planning for each educational activity must include one Nurse Planner and one other
planner. One of the planners must have appropriate subject matter expertise for the educational
activity.

Design Principles. The educational design process incorporates measurable educational objectives
and appropriate teaching methods.

Achievement of Objectives. A clearly defined method, which includes learner input, is used to
evaluate the effectiveness of each educational activity. Results from the activity evaluation are used to
guide future activities.
Select three (3) CE Activities: At the end of the provider application, submit three individual activities planned
and presented within the last 12 months as an Approved PU (or approved by AzNA in the last six months if not
currently an Approved PU). Activities selected for inclusion in the application for approved provider status must
be at least one hour in length. Be sure to include all attachments, review forms, summative evaluation and final
evaluation of whether the activities are to be continued or not. The activities should include:
 One with multiple topics and presenters (if any);
 One that had sponsorship or commercial support (if any); and
 One that was web-based or enduring material (if any).
Each narrative must include a specific example that illustrates how the
criterion is operationalized within the provider unit.
A. Assessment of Learning Needs. Continuing education activities are developed in response to, and with
consideration for, the unique educational needs of the target audience.
Describe and use an example to demonstrate:

EDP1. The Nurse Planner's methods of assessing the current learning needs of the target
audience.
AzNA Provider Unit Instructions
2013
12 of 15

EDP 2. How the Nurse Planner uses data collected to develop the educational activity that
addresses the identified gap in nursing practice or nursing professional development
(knowledge, skills, and/or practices).
B. Planning. Planning for each educational activity must include one Nurse Planner and one other
planner. One of the planners must have appropriate subject matter expertise for the educational
activity.
Describe and use an example to demonstrate each of the following:




EDP3—The process used to select a planning team/committee for an educational activity
including why an individual member was chosen.
EDP4—The process used to identify all actual and potential conflicts of interest for all members
of the Planning Committee, presenters, authors, and content reviewers.
EDP5—The process for resolution of an actual or potential conflict of interest and the outcome
achieved.
EDP6—The process utilized during the planning phase of the educational activity to determine
how participants will successfully complete the learning activity.
C. Design Principles. The educational design process incorporates measurable educational objectives,
best available evidence and appropriate teaching methods.
Describe and use an example to demonstrate each of the following:



EDP7—How measurable educational objectives are developed that address the change in
nursing practice or nursing professional development.
EDP8—How the content of the educational activity is selected based on best available evidence
(i.e. clinical guidelines peer reviewed journals, experts in the field, etc.).
EDP9—How content integrity is maintained for CNE activities, including what precautions are
taken to prevent bias and how those precautions are implemented.
NOTE: IF the applicant or Approved Provider never accepts commercial support/sponsorship, do not provide
a narrative for EDP10, and proceed to EDP11.


EDP10—In the presence of commercial support/sponsorship, how additional precautions are
taken to maintain content integrity for CNE activities, including what precautions are taken to
prevent bias and how those precautions are implemented.
EDP11—How teaching methods were chosen that are appropriate to achieve the purpose and
objectives of the CNE activity.
D. Achievement of Objectives. A clearly defined method, which includes learner input, is used to
evaluate the effectiveness of each educational activity. Results from the activity evaluation are used to
guide future activities.
Describe and use an example to demonstrate each of the following:


EDP12—How summative evaluation data for an educational activity are used to guide future
activities.
EDP13—How the evaluation data were collected to measure change in nursing practice or
nursing professional development.
AzNA Provider Unit Instructions
2013
13 of 15
APPROVED PROVIDER CRITERION 3: QUALITY OUTCOMES (QO)
The Approved PU engages in an ongoing evaluation process to analyze its overall effectiveness in fulfilling its
goals and operational requirements to provide quality CE.
Each narrative must include a specific example that illustrates how the criterion is
operationalized within the provider unit.
A. Approved Provider Unit Evaluation Process— The Approved PU must evaluate the effectiveness of its
overall functioning as an Approved PU.
Describe and use an example to demonstrate each of the following:


QO1—The process utilized for evaluating effectiveness of the Approved PU in delivering quality
CE.
QO2—How the evaluation process for the Approved PU resulted in the development or
improvement of an identified quality outcome measure. (Refer to identified quality outcomes
listed in OO4).
B. Approved Provider Unit Evaluation Participants—The Approved PU shall include a variety of
stakeholders, those with vested interest in Approved PU outcomes, in the evaluation process.
Describe and use an example to demonstrate each of the following:

QO3—Why the Approved PU selects specific stakeholders to participate in the evaluation
process.
C. Approved Provider Unit Quality Outcome Measures—The Approved PU must demonstrate quality
improvement efforts including identifying strategies for working on targeted goals, evaluating progress
toward goals, and revising or establishing new goals.
Describe and use an example to demonstrate each of the following:

QO4—How input from stakeholders resulted in an improvement in process, outcome, or goals
for the Approved PU. (Refer to identified quality outcomes in OO4).
D. Value/Benefit to Nursing Professional Development—The Approved PU shall evaluate data to
determine how the Approve Approved PU, through the learning activities it has provided, has influenced
the professional development of its nurse learners.
Describe and use an example to demonstrate each of the following:

QO5—How, over the past 12 months, the Approved PU has enhanced nursing professional
development. (Refer to identified quality outcomes in OO4).
AzNA Provider Unit Instructions
2013
14 of 15
APPENDICES and OTHER SUPPLEMENTAL DOCUMENTS
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Biographical Data Forms for all PU staff
Job Descriptions for each of the PU staff
Organizational Chart
Additional supplemental documents as appropriate
Policies and/or Procedures
Approved Provider Units are required to provide policies and/or procedures to demonstrate their
commitment to a consistent process of CE planning, implementation, and evaluation. These policies
provide a written process for use in the Approved PU and can be used as documentation to support
processes in the self-study.
For example, a policy on Commercial Support can be cited in response to any section in the Self-Study that
requests a description of how the Provider Unit manages commercial support in the planning,
implementation, and evaluation of its activities.
AzNA has provided applicants with access to their Provider Unit policies. AzNA’s policies can be used as
templates for those organizations that have not yet developed their policies or can be used to review a
Provider Unit’s current policies to assure they are up-to-date and reflect current ANCC requirements.
NOTE: AzNA’s policies should only be used as a template. The Provider Unit applicant is
responsible to review any policy used to assure that it states the correct Provider Unit’s name and
accurately reflects the correct procedures utilized in the PU and/or organization.
Supplemental Documents
Approved PU Self-Study documents should include three (3) CE activities. Each one should meet the
criteria previously stated and include the documents required. Each individual activity should be separated
from another by a labeled tab and each should contain a table of contents with page numbers.
AzNA Provider Unit Instructions
2013
15 of 15