Nursing receives accreditation

(COLLEGE STATION, TX) — As it prepares to graduate its first class in December, the Texas A&M Health Science Center College of Nursing has been awarded full five-year accreditation by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) Board.

The five-year accreditation is the maximum time granted to first-time applicants. The designation follows an April site visit by the commission as part of the initial accreditation review process for the Bachelor of Science in Nursing (B.S.N.) programs. Accreditation is a voluntary process to assess whether or not an institution or program meets a set of accepted standards set for by its accrediting body.

“This accreditation is recognition of an excellent scholarly program provided by an outstanding faculty,” said Sharon Wilkerson, Ph.D., R.N., dean and professor of the HSC-College of Nursing. “National accreditation is also essential for our graduates as they move toward graduate education, so we are pleased to have achieved this milestone before our first graduation.”

Opened in July 2008, the HSC-College of Nursing offers three different tracks for the baccalaureate degree. The first 19 graduates in the accelerated program receive their degrees in December.

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.