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Press
Release
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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CONTACT:
Sarah Bloom
(202) 887-6791 x245
sbloom@aacn.nche.edu
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