By Erika Neldner
Reinhardt University’s Bachelor of Science in Nursing now is
accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education.
The CCNE Board of Commissioners approved Reinhardt’s
application for accreditation for its Bachelor of Science in Nursing during its
October meeting. CCNE serves the public interest by assessing and identifying
programs that engage in effective educational practices. 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 nurse residency programs.
“Reinhardt University is proud of the Cauble School of
Nursing and Health Sciences for achieving this important milestone,” said
Reinhardt President Kina S. Mallard. “The nursing dean and faculty have
developed a high-quality program that is gaining attention and accolades
throughout the state. This December, we will graduate our first cohort of
students who have already received job offers to meet the healthcare needs in
North Georgia.”
The rigorous accreditation process took nearly two years,
with CCNE officials visiting Reinhardt last February.
“The accreditation process takes years, and is a process,”
said Cauble School of Nursing and Health Sciences Dean Glynis Blackard.
“Schools of nursing can only achieve this voluntary prestigious accreditation
after meeting the standards of other regulatory agencies. RUCSONHS had to meet
SACSCOC standards and meet the leveling process through the Georgia Board of
Nursing before applying to CCNE.”
The Cauble School currently holds initial accreditation from
the GBON.
“Graduates from nursing schools that are accredited are able
to share with potential employers that they have completed a rigorous program,”
Blackard said. “It signals to the employer that this program has met stringent
criteria and the employer can expect a high level of skill and knowledge from
these graduates. Many graduate schools require that pre-licensure education be
from an accredited program.”
Blackard said the accreditation “belongs to everyone,”
including many offices on campus, as well as faculty and staff members who
contributed to the process, adding CCNE accreditation provides a level of
prestige to the school of nursing and Reinhardt.
“It will help Reinhardt University’s Cauble School of
Nursing and Health Sciences share that the program meets high standards and
will help attract prospective students,” she said. “Accreditation also benefits
the community we serve, as the accreditation standards and the process of
meeting the standards encourage the elevation of education processes and
provides the community with highly educated nurses.”
The Cauble School of Nursing and Health Sciences is
enrolling now for the January 2020 start. Learn more at Reinhardt.edu.
