MOUNT VERNON, Ohio - Mount Vernon Nazarene University's pending Nursing program has been accepted for institutional members in the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN). The program is expected to launch in fall of 2006, pending Ohio Board of Nursing approval.
AACN is the voice for baccalaureate and graduate degree nursing nationwide, representing more than 578 public and private institutions. The organization has been instrumental in establishing quality standards for baccalaureate and graduate degree programs to improve the health care delivered by the nursing profession. “It is an honor for MVNU to be included in the membership of this very influential organization," said Dr. Teresa Wood, MVNU director of Nursing. “This is a testament to the quality of experience that prospective students may expect from MVNU's Nursing program."
Over the past few months, Wood has been writing the official proposal for the Nursing program. Part of the proposal to be submitted to the Ohio Board of Nursing is the curriculum plan for the Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree. The proposed curriculum plan was presented to MVNU's Undergraduate Academic Council as well as the entire faculty in January, and was approved for submission to the Ohio board of Nursing. The proposal includes the four-year plan for the BSN degree including course descriptions and sample syllabi. It will be submitted to the Ohio Board of Nursing as a component of the full proposal for the Nursing program.
In addition, Wood has been in contact with community agencies regarding potential clinical sites for students to practice nursing care. “We have been extremely pleased with the wonderful response and support for the nursing program from the community and look forward to establishing relationships with many community leaders," Wood explained. “Student interest in the program remains strong, with many calls coming in to MVNU regarding the Nursing program. It is an exciting time at MVNU and we look forward to the continued development of the Nursing program." Wood has also been working to recruit highly qualified Nursing faculty members.
Amanda Erb, currently a Pre-nursing student at MVNU, said, “When I learned that Mount Vernon would soon have a nursing program, I was thrilled. I plan to become a pediatric nurse, and feel that this program will be very advanced and will provide me with an excellent opportunity in the field of nursing."
Mount Vernon Nazarene University is a private, four-year, intentionally Christian teaching university for traditional age students, graduate students and working adults. U.S. News & World Report ranks MVNU in the Top 50 Best in the Midwest (Bachelor's) for the second year in a row. With a 401-acre main campus in Mount Vernon, Ohio, and seven satellite Adult and Graduate Studies campuses throughout the state, MVNU emphasizes academic excellence, spiritual growth and service to community and church. MVNU offers an affordable education to more than 2,540 students from 29 states and nine countries/U.S. territories.
Akron, Ohio, May 15, 2006 - The University of Akron College of Nursing received a full 10-year accreditation from the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE).
An autonomous arm of the American Association of Colleges of Nursing, CCNE is recognized as the foremost accrediting body for nursing schools that offer baccalaureate and graduate degrees. It is the only accrediting body devoted exclusively to the evaluation of nursing degree programs.
Although the UA College of Nursing has been accredited since its inception in 1967, this is the first time that it sought accreditation from CCNE. Dr. Cynthia Capers, dean of the UA College of Nursing, says the decision to switch to CCNE was made, in part, to further raise the profile of the college.
"This is a wonderful validation of the excellence in our college and to the detailed attention given to developing and implementing high-quality programs," Capers says. "The process required standard-based assessments of our academic programs accompanied with a critical analysis of student success and mission-driven program outcomes. We had no issues of compliance, no requirement for an interim report or any factors that required tweaking. The 10 years of CCNE accreditation is equivalent of a perfect score."