Press Release
For
Immediate Release
CCNE Launches Accreditation of Post-Baccalaureate
Nurse Residency Programs
Washington, D.C., March 17, 2009 – After several years of intensive review and preparation, the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) announced today the launch of an initiative accrediting post-baccalaureate nurse residency programs in acute care settings. This new accreditation will foster improvement in post-baccalaureate nurse residency programs nationwide and increase public recognition of the value of these transition-into-practice programs. CCNE accreditation will be based on the Standards for Accreditation of Post-Baccalaureate Nurse Residency Programs.
“Post-baccalaureate nurse residency programs are at the forefront in supporting new graduate nurses as they transition into their first professional role,” said Dr. Harriet R. Feldman, Chair of the CCNE Board of Commissioners. “Following completion of a residency, program alumni are better prepared to be effective decision-makers and to use research-based evidence in their practice.”
Post-baccalaureate nurse residency programs may begin submitting applications for accreditation immediately. Once a program’s application is accepted, it may progress towards accreditation by scheduling an on-site evaluation for initial accreditation by CCNE. A program must host an on-site evaluation within two years of receiving new applicant status. Proposed procedures for accrediting the nurse residency programs have been developed and vetted by stakeholders nationally, and the CCNE Board of Commissioners is expected to formally adopt these procedures in late April.
Dr. Mary Ann McGinley, who represents professional consumers on the CCNE Board and chairs the CCNE Residency Accreditation Committee, states that over 12,500 nurses have completed post-baccalaureate nurse residency programs nationwide, adding “Hospitals are faced with high attrition rates among newly hired nurses, and post-baccalaureate nurse residency programs have proven effective in greatly reducing attrition.” In hard economic times this is particularly important. As reported in the September 2007 issue of the Online Journal of Issues in Nursing, Jones and Gates found that the costs associated with nurse turnover range from approximately $22,000 to over $64,000 per nurse turnover. By achieving CCNE accreditation, post-baccalaureate nurse residency programs will signify to their communities that their sponsoring hospitals are dedicated to the development of professional nurses, which is key in nursing recruitment and retention.
Post-baccalaureate nurse residency programs interested in applying for CCNE accreditation should contact Benjamin Murray, CCNE Assistant Director, at bmurray@aacn.nche.edu or 202-887-6791, extension 275.
The Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education is an autonomous accrediting agency contributing to the improvement of the public's health. CCNE ensures the quality and integrity of baccalaureate and graduate degree nursing education programs and post-baccalaureate nurse residency programs. 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.
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CONTACT: Benjamin Murray
202-887-6791, extension 275
bmurray@aacn.nche.edu
