New Standards Published for Nursing Education Accreditation (CNEA)

WASHINGTON, DC – Capping a meticulous process, the National League for Nursing’s Commission for Nursing Education Accreditation (NLN CNEA) has voted to issue comprehensive new Standards of Accreditation for nursing programs across the academic spectrum. These standards, crafted from evidence-based best practices, set a high benchmark for nursing programs around the globe.

To be accredited by the NLN CNEA means a program has met five specific standards, each one measured by a broad nexus of quality indicators spelled out by interpretative guidelines included in the document. Initially released in draft form in 2014, the Standards of Accreditation were refined and finalized following a period of public review and commentary.

The NLN CNEA has the authority to accredit nursing programs that offer LPN/LVN; diploma; associate; bachelor; master’s and post–master’s certificates; and clinical doctorate degrees. The five standards will be applied equally to all types of nursing programs:

  • Standard I. Culture of Excellence: Program Outcomes
  • Standard II. Program Integrity: Mission, Governance, and Resources
  • Standard III. Culture of Excellence and Caring: Faculty
  • Standard IV. Culture of Excellence and Caring: Students
  • Standard V. Culture of Learning and Diversity: Curriculum and Evaluation Processes

Noting the significance of the vote by the Board of Commissioners, NLN CNEA executive director, Judith A. Halstead, PhD, RN, FAAN, ANEF, remarks: “This represents an important step in achieving the mission of the NLN CNEA to promote excellence and integrity in nursing education globally through an accreditation process that respects the diversity of program mission, curricula, students, and faculty; emphasizes a culture of continuous quality improvement; and influences the preparation of a caring and competent nursing workforce.”

Joan Darden, PhD, RN, ANEF, chair of the 15-member Board of Commissioners that provides leadership and direction to the NLN CNEA and oversees all accreditation decisions, adds: “With this historic action, the NLN CNEA has alerted schools of nursing it is ready to begin reviewing applications for pre-accreditation candidacy. I commend the board of commissioners and everyone who contributed to this process to empower the NLN CNEA.”

Adds NLN CEO Beverly Malone, PhD, RN, FAAN: “On behalf of the League, I congratulate the NLN CNEA on the culmination of their efforts. We take pride in a set of standards designed to meet the needs of faculty and students for access to the highest quality instruction and most effective nursing workforce preparation, reflective of the core values of the National League for Nursing: caring, integrity, diversity, and excellence.” 

For more information about NLN CNEA, please contact executive director Dr. Judith Halstead: 202/909-2487; [email protected].

Featured

  • All Surfaces Announces New Director of Commercial Business Development

    Surface solutions provider All Surfaces recently announced that it has hired a new Director of Commercial Business Development in Torie Bonafede. Bonafede will work to build the company’s market presence in various categories and drive strategic initiatives to expand its commercial sales portfolio.

  • Virginia Tech Establishes New Facility for School of Construction

    Virginia Tech recently partnered with construction management firm Procon Consulting to establish the Procon Innovation Center on its campus in Blacksburg, Va., according to a news release. The facility inside the university’s newly built Hitt Hall will offer hands-on collaboration and learning opportunities for students in the Myers-Lawson School of Construction and College of Engineering.

  • North Dakota State University Starts Construction on Research Lab

    North Dakota State University in Fargo, N.D., recently began construction on the new, $78-million Bolley Agricultural Research Laboratory, according to a news release. The university partnered with JLG Architects and Clark & Enersen for the building’s design and with Kraus-Anderson for its construction.

  • Texas A&M Breaks Ground on New Space Institute

    The Texas A&M University Space Institute recently broke ground next to NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston, Texas, according to a news release. The Nov. 15 groundbreaking ceremony followed the Nov. 7 approval by the Texas A&M University System’s Board of Regents of $200 million for the facility’s construction.

Digital Edition