NLN Commission for Nursing Education Accreditation An Update

NLN Commission for Nursing Education Accreditation: An Update Judith A. Halstead, RN, Ph. D, ANEF, FAAN Executive Director, NLN CNEA

CNEA Background • Established September 2013 by NLN membership • Autonomous accreditation division within the NLN • Will accredit all types of nursing programs from LPN/LVN to DNP • Category 2 agency (USDE classification)with a principle purpose of accrediting higher education programs, NOT for Title IV purposes • Seeking voluntary recognition by the USDE

CNEA Steering Committee Established • • Anne Belcher, Ph. D, RN, AOCN, FAAN, ANEF, Associate Professor, Johns Hopkins University School of Nursing Donna Boland, Ph. D, RN, ANEF, Associate Professor Emerita, Indiana University School of Nursing Patricia Castaldi, DNP, RN, ANEF, Director Practical Nursing & Allied Health, Union County College Joan Darden, Ph. D, MSN, RN, ANEF, Interim Vice President for Academic Affairs, Darton State College Cole Edmondson, DNP, RN, FACHE, NEA-BC, Vice President, Patient Care Services, Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital Betsy Frank, Ph. D, RN, ANEF, Professor Emerita, Indiana State University School of Nursing Betty Horton, Ph. D, CRNA, FAAN, self-employed Cathleen Shultz, Ph. D, RN, FAAN, Professor, Harding University College of Nursing

C CNEA Standards Committee Established • • Sharon Cannon, Ed. D, RN, Professor and Regional Dean, Texas Tech Health Sciences Center Robert Davis, DNP, RN, WFR, SARTECH I, Sr. Director, Online Operations, Chamberlain College of Nursing Nelda Godfrey, Ph. D, ACNS-BC, FAAN, Associate Dean of Undergraduate Programs, University of Kansas School of Nursing Kathleen B. Hill, JD, MSN, RN, Director of Programmatic Accreditation, Galen College of Nursing Versie Johnson-Mallard, Ph. D, WHNP-BC, FAANP, Associate Professor, University of South Florida Mary Lou Morales, MSN, RN-BC, CNS, CNE, Nursing Program Manager, Ogden Weber Tech College Laurie Peters, Ph. D, MSN, RN, Associate Vice President for Nursing, Ivy Tech Community College CNEA Steering Committee Liaisions – Anne Belcher, Pat Castaldi, & Joan Darden

NLN CNEA Mission The NLN Commission for Nursing Education Accreditation (CNEA) promotes excellence and integrity in nursing education through an accreditation process that respects the diversity of program mission, curricula, students, and faculty. By emphasizing a culture of continuous quality improvement within nursing education globally, the CNEA accreditation process influences the preparation of a caring and skilled nursing workforce.

Core Values related to Accreditation • Caring o Process to reflect a culture of advocacy for quality assurance in nursing education o Collegial, collaborative context o Uphold standards and rigor of process in a caring manner • Diversity o All types of programs o Reflective of respect for programs’ diversity of mission, curricula, faculty and students • Integrity o Exercise personal, professional and organizational integrity throughout process o Transparent dialogue • Excellence o Promote excellence through clarity of accreditation process o Emphasis on continuous quality improvement (CQI)

Implementing Accreditation Services • According to USDE regulations, NLN CNEA must be in existence a minimum of two years prior to seeking voluntary recognition from the USDE • Prior to seeking recognition from the USDE, NLN CNEA must engage in accreditation activities • Anticipate beginning accreditation activities late 2015/early 2016 • NLN CNEA will also seek voluntary recognition from the Council of Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA)

Process of Developing Accreditation Standards • NLN CNEA Standards Committee met August 2014 • Produced an initial draft of accreditation standards • Initial draft of standards will undergo numerous revisions before being finalized • Faculty will have opportunities to provide feedback before final set of accreditation standards are adopted • Standards will be approved for adoption by the NLN CNEA Board of Commissioners in Spring 2015 • Commitment to a transparent process

Emerging Standards Template • Standards, Quality Indicators, Interpretative Guidelines and Supporting Evidence • Proposed Standards o Standard I - Program Mission, Governance and Resources o Standard II – Faculty o Standard III – Students o Standard IV – Curriculum and Teaching/Learning/Evaluation Processes o Standard V – Program Outcomes

Future NLN CNEA Action Items • Continued development and refinement of accreditation standards • Development of a new applicant process to signify intent to pursue accreditation with NLN CNEA • Appointment of a review committee to review applications for accreditation • Appointment of an initial NLN CNEA Board of Commissioners • Appointment and training of on-site evaluators • Election of NLN CNEA Nominating Committee

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