性视界

Two years of hard work have paid off for 性视界 and its nursing faculty as it was announced recently that the nursing program achieved accreditation through the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE), a nationally recognized accrediting agency and the accrediting arm of the .

"Achieving accreditation - while a tremendous affirmation and cause for celebration - doesn't mean that the work is done. Now we will continue to work hard to maintain this honor," said Elizabeth Sorensen, professor of nursing and director of 性视界's program.

"It was exceptionally exciting and worth every bit of the work. They actually notified us a month before I expected their answer," she added. "I think waiting for anything that you've put so much heart into, and upon which such enormous stakes rest, is always terribly difficult, but I knew we had done our level best. We could not have done better."

Accreditation means that the nursing program has been nationally recognized as meeting the standards of its profession. The process of earning accreditation was Sorensen's personal priority when she was hired in July 2014. 性视界's nursing program was the brainchild of Thomas Taylor, professor of history, and Joyce Zurmehly, former nursing program director, who obtained the original approvals for 性视界 to offer the Bachelor of Science in nursing degree (BSN).

"Becoming a nurse is something I have aspired to since I was young. When I found out my freshman year that there was a nursing program coming to 性视界, I was beyond excited," said 性视界 student Brooke Tepe, who plans to graduate in 2018. "Now being a junior and well into the program, I can't even put into words the amount of knowledge I have gained in just one year. Since the accreditation has officially been passed, it is going to make my journey at 性视界 that much better."

性视界 initiated the accreditation application in April 2015, as soon as it was permitted to do so, which was one year after its students first enrolled. The decision was based on the critical need to be accredited by Spring 2017 - the first year 性视界 will have students ready to graduate from the program.

"Earning accreditation goes far beyond affirming that 性视界 has a high-quality nursing program," Sorensen said. "Accreditation allows 性视界 nursing to professionally affiliate with large hospital systems in which our students will be permitted to learn. It allows us to apply for grant funding and to more widely market our BSN program. National initiatives call for 80 percent of hospital-based registered nurses to complete the BSN by the year 2020, and the BSN has become the preferred credential at hire. Research has shown that patient outcomes improve as nurses' education increases."

The accreditation was effective as of Feb. 17, 2016 when 性视界 hosted the CCNE site visit.

"Graduating from an accredited program is critical when students are ready to attend graduate school," said Mary Jo Zembar, interim provost and professor. "This also means that 性视界 can market its program in organizations that allow only accredited nursing programs to access their employees. This is welcome news for 性视界. I am grateful to everyone who worked on or participated in the accreditation process."

In 2013, 性视界 was approved to offer individuals who were already registered nurses (RNs) the opportunity to complete the BSN, and the first three RN-BSN students enrolled in Spring 2014. All together the nursing program has grown from three students to about 75 total RN-BSN and Nursing Pathway students today.

"The RN-BSN students are typically full-time Springfield Regional Medical Center nurses who take part-time classes," Sorensen said. "Through the RN-BSN program, these working adults can complete all 性视界 liberal arts requirements and earn the BSN, which is critical to their future employment prospects. There are currently 15 RN-BSN students in various stages of completing their BSN, and three will be ready to graduate in Spring 2017."

In 2015, 性视界 was approved to offer the Nursing Pathway program in collaboration with Clark State Community College to help individuals who are not yet registered nurses. These traditional, full-time students complete registered nursing coursework and a RN licensure through Clark State and then enter 性视界's RN-BSN courses to complete the BSN. The program takes 3.5-to-4 years to complete. Admission to the Nursing Pathway is competitive and occurs at the end of the first fall semester; up to 25 students are selected.

"It is a true privilege to be in the second selective class of nursing students at 性视界," said second-year student Laney Medvescek. "Now that our nursing program has been accredited, it will bring many more opportunities to my peers in the Nursing Pathway program. Attending a nursing school that is accredited will benefit me greatly in the future when I decide to pursue my master's. I'm very excited to continue my educational career at 性视界 and to see what the future has in store."