Press Release
For
Immediate Release
Commission
on Collegiate Nursing Education Acts to Strengthen Standards,
Improve Quality Through Nursing Accreditation
Opportunity
to comment on proposed Standards through June 16, 2003
WASHINGTON,
DC, May 9, 2003 - In a move to strengthen professional
nursing education programs nationwide, the Commission
on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) has agreed to amend
the standards used to ensure quality in baccalaureate
and graduate level nursing programs. An autonomous arm
of the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN),
CCNE is the only accrediting body devoted exclusively
to the evaluation of baccalaureate and graduate degree
programs in nursing.
Last week, the
CCNE Board of Commissioners agreed to proposed changes
to the Standards for Accreditation of Baccalaureate
and Graduate Nursing Programs. The revisions were
proposed by the CCNE Standards Committee, following that
committee's comprehensive review of the document and feedback
received from the Commission's community of interest.
The revisions now proposed by the Board ensure consistency
in use of terminology, clarify intent, and eliminate redundancy.
"The proposed
revisions underscore CCNE's commitment to quality nursing
education," said Dr. Carole Anderson, chair of the
Standards Committee. "They reflect a broad consensus
among CCNE's community of interest, clarify the Commission's
expectations for nursing programs, and make the Standards
more user-friendly." The work of the committee, an
essential component of CCNE's systematic process for standards
revision, upholds the Commission's fundamental commitment
to continuous quality improvement.
The most significant
proposed change relates to the use of professional nursing
standards and guidelines. Specifically, the proposed Standards
identify three sets of professional nursing guidelines
that programs must use as the foundation for curricula
- The Essentials of Baccalaureate Education for Professional
Nursing Practice (AACN, 1998), The Essentials of
Master's Education for Advanced Practice Nursing (AACN,
1996), and the Criteria for Evaluation of Nurse Practitioner
Programs (National Task Force on Quality Nurse Practitioner
Education, 2002). Further, nursing programs may incorporate
additional standards, as appropriate, consistent with
the mission, goals, and expected outcomes of the program.
To date CCNE has required that programs select the professional
nursing guidelines to which they adhere.
"This proposed
change," noted CCNE Director Jennifer Butlin, "is
supported by the vast majority of CCNE's constituents
who urged CCNE to take the lead in ensuring quality and
fostering improvement in baccalaureate and higher degree
nursing education." Feedback from various constituencies,
including nursing deans, faculty, practicing nurses, employers
of nurses, students, and alumni, as well as representatives
of state boards of nursing, national nursing organizations,
and members of the public, was received through participation
in forums, responses to a call for comment, post-visit
assessments by evaluators and program officials, and an
online survey about the Standards.
Dr. Charlotte
Beason, CCNE Board chair, called the revised document
"exciting, consistent with the agency's values, and
responsive to the needs of the nursing profession. The
revisions will enhance the quality of baccalaureate and
graduate level nursing programs across the nation."
In
accordance with policy, constituents now have the opportunity
to comment on the proposed revisions to the Standards.
To review the proposed Standards, click
here, or visit the CCNE Web site at www.aacn.nche.edu/accreditation.
Interested parties are invited to submit comments to CCNE
via e-mail to sbloom@aacn.nche.edu, via fax to (202) 887-8476,
or via mail to: Sarah Bloom, Accreditation Manager, CCNE,
One Dupont Circle, NW, Suite 530, Washington, DC 20036.
CCNE will only consider written comments in which name,
affiliation, and contact information are identified. The
deadline for submitting comments to CCNE is June 16, 2003.
After considering the comments submitted by interested
parties, it is anticipated that the revised Standards
will be formally adopted by the Board at its October
2-4, 2003 meeting; and will take effect on January 1,
2005.
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 nursing education programs. As a voluntary,
self-regulatory process, CCNE accreditation supports and
encourages continuing self-assessment by nursing education
programs and supports continuing growth and improvement
of collegiate professional education.
###
CONTACT: Sarah
Bloom
(202) 887-6791 x245
sbloom@aacn.nche.edu
