The commission approves nursing education programs to:

(1) Assure preparation for the safe and effective practice of nursing by setting minimum standards for nursing education programs preparing persons for licensure as registered nurses, practical nurses, advanced registered nurse practitioners, or for preparing nurses for additional graduate education or higher levels of nursing practice.

(2) Provide criteria for the approval, development, evaluation, and improvement of new and established nursing education programs.

(3) Assure graduates of nursing education programs are educationally prepared for licensure at the appropriate level of nursing practice.

(4) Facilitate interstate endorsement of graduates of commission approved nursing education programs.

(5) Assure nursing education standards for out-of-state distance learning nursing education programs placing students in Washington state for clinical or other practice experiences are equivalent to in-state nursing education programs.

(6) Assure internationally educated nurses' educational preparation is equivalent to that of in-state nursing education programs.