UND nursing receives maximum accreditation

Document Type

News Article

Publication Date

7-2011

Campus Unit

College of Nursing & Professional Disciplines

Abstract

The College of Nursing at the University of North Dakota has received a full (maximum) 10-year accreditation from the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE).

Officially recognized by the U.S. Secretary of Education as a national accreditation agency, CCNE is an autonomous accrediting agency, contributing to the improvement of the public’s health. CCNE ensures the quality and integrity of baccalaureate, graduate and residency programs in nursing.

The 10-year accreditation from CCNE covers both the undergraduate and graduate nursing programs at UND. A thorough self-study report was submitted to CCNE in September of 2010. Site reviewers were on campus in October 2010 interviewing students, faculty, staff, and clinical partners, as well as reviewing pertinent documents. The review team gave the College of Nursing a stellar report based on their findings with no recommendations for improvement identified.

“Everyone involved, from faculty, staff and students to alumni, stakeholders and clinical partners are to be commended for the work they put into this very successful site visit,” states Interim Dean Julie Anderson. “They are also to be thanked for their ongoing commitment to the College of Nursing; we couldn’t do what we do without each and every one of them!”

“I had the pleasure of attending the accreditation exit interview at the College of Nursing. In more than 30 years in higher education, I’ve never heard such positive reports,” shares Paul LeBel, Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs. “The recommendations of the review team that the baccalaureate and masters programs in nursing are in full compliance with all applicable standards are a strong testament to the quality of the education provided by faculty, the level of support provided by staff, and the engagement of students.”

In addition to national accreditation, the College of Nursing also received high praise and a full 5-year accreditation from the North Dakota Board of Nursing. The Board of Nursing periodically reviews and approves nursing education programs to ensure that graduates of these programs are prepared to provide safe and effective nursing care.

The Nurse Anesthesia graduate program also hosted an accreditation site visit in October 2010. As a result, the graduate track has received a full (maximum) 10-year accreditation from the Council on Accreditation of Nurse Anesthesia Educational Programs (COA). The COA is responsible for establishing the standards and policies for nurse anesthesia educational programs subject to consideration by its communities of interest. The standards address administrative policies and procedures, institutional support, curriculum and instruction, faculty, evaluation, and ethics.

About CCNE CCNE serves the public interest by assessing and identifying programs that engage in effective educational practices. As a voluntary, self regulatory process, CCNE accreditation supports and encourages continuing self assessment by nursing programs and supports continuing growth and improvement of collegiate professional education and post-baccalaureate nurse residency programs.

The accreditation program for nurse anesthesia was initiated in 1952 by the American Association of Nurse Anesthetists (AANA). The accreditation function was transferred to the Council on Accreditation of Nurse Anesthesia Educational Programs/Schools in 1975. The Council's scope of accreditation is for institutions and programs of nurse anesthesia at the post master's certificate, master's or doctoral degree levels in the United States, its territories and protectorates. Both the United States Department of Education and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation recognize the Council as an accrediting agency for nurse anesthesia.

About the College of Nursing The UND College of Nursing offers both undergraduate and graduate programs of study in nursing, including RN-BSN and RN-MS distance delivered degrees, and undergraduate programs in dietetics and community nutrition.

The master's program, leading to a Master of Science (M.S.) degree with a major in nursing, boasts six specializations: psychiatric & mental health, family nurse practitioner, advanced public health nursing, nurse anesthesia, nursing education, and gerontological nursing. The master's program is targeted to prepare clinical nurse specialists, nurse practitioners, nurse educators, and nurse administrators. The focus of the masters nursing program is based on scientific knowledge of nursing practice and education through research. The College also offers a PhD program to prepare nurses for roles as nurse scientists and faculty.

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