For
Immediate Release
Commission
on Collegiate Nursing Education Amends Accreditation Standards WASHINGTON, DC, October 16, 2003 – Completing a comprehensive review process that involved
broad-based calls for comment and significant input by its constituents, the Commission
on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) has amended 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. At is October 2 -3 meeting, the CCNE Board of Commissioners
approved an amended version of its Standards for Accreditation of Baccalaureate
and Graduate Nursing Programs. The
revised Standards document, which will
be effective January 1, 2005, reflects improved consistency in use of terminology,
clarification of intent, and the elimination of redundancy. Importantly, the revised
Standards also identify specific sets of professional nursing guidelines that
programs must use as the foundation for curricula. “It
has been a pleasure to work with this agency in its first comprehensive review
of the Standards,“ said
Dr. Carole Anderson, chair of the Standards Committee. “The revised Standards underscore CCNE’s commitment
to quality nurse education.” 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. Programs
hosting a CCNE on-site evaluation
and/or submitting a report to CCNE after January
1, 2005, will be required to comply with the revised Standards; CCNE will offer assistance to these programs in their
preparations for accreditation activities. CCNE will host a forum for deans and
other interested parties later this month in conjunction with AACN’s fall semi-annual meeting, and an invitational workshop
that focuses on writing self-study documents will be held March 27, 2004; these
programs will include information about the changes to the Standards. Additionally, CCNE’s 2004 training
sessions for evaluators will prepare participants to review programs in light
of the revised Standards. Finally, CCNE
staff will continue to be available for consultation and guidance.
Dr.
Charlotte Beason, founding Commissioner, and departing CCNE Board chair,
stated, “Clearly, the revised Standards
will enhance the quality of baccalaureate and graduate level nursing programs
across the nation. The Board’s approval of these revised Standards marks yet another milestone in CCNE’s contribution to the
nursing profession.” She expressed appreciation on behalf of the entire Board
to the members of the Standards Committee: Dr. Carole Anderson, Ohio State University;
Dr. Donna Boland, Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis; Dr. Mary
Jo Clark, University of San Diego; Dr. Mecca Cranley, SUNY Buffalo; Ms. Pamela Dell Dennison, University
of Virginia Health System; Dr. Karin Polifko-Harris,
KPH Consulting; Dr. Joyce Pulcini, Boston College; Ms.
Caroline Stellmann, Stellmann
Associates; and Dr. Suzanne Van Ort, University of Arizona (Emerita).
The
revised Standards will be disseminated in hard
copy to all CCNE-affiliated programs in the coming month. Currently, the document
may be accessed by visiting the CCNE Web site at http://www.aacn.nche.edu/Accreditation. 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.
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© 2004 by the American Association of Colleges of Nursing. All rights reserved.
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