November Announcement Brings Accolades to School of Nursing

WILSON, N.C. — The School of Nursing at Barton College received official notification of its national program accreditation by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (www.aacn.nche.edu/ccne-accreditation) this month.

“We are delighted that our School of Nursing has achieved this distinguished national accreditation from the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education,” said Dr. Gary Daynes, provost and vice president for academic affairs at Barton College. “For four decades, this nursing program has been lauded for its academic quality and reputation, and it is most gratifying for Barton College to receive this singular recognition.”

The Barton College nursing program has been continually accredited by the National League for Nursing-Accreditation Commission (NLNAC), now known as the Accrediting Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN), since initial accreditation in 1975. With a history of North Carolina Board of Nursing approval and national accreditation, Barton’s nursing program has achieved a strong reputation for academic excellence and clinical preparation for its graduates.  It now adds the CCNE accreditation to its list of accrediting organizations.

“The faculty members of Barton’s nursing program are firmly committed to maintaining the highest educational standards with a vision for our program’s future,” shared Dr. Sharon I. Sarvey, dean of the School of Nursing.

“As part of the School of Nursing’s process of continuous quality improvement and ongoing quality commitment, it was determined that the Essentials of Baccalaureate Education (2008) gave direction for the future of our baccalaureate program and assisted the framing of future educational program development. Upon review of accreditation organizations by our nursing faculty and the College administration, it was determined that the Commission of Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE), which accredits Baccalaureate and Graduate Nursing Education programs, was the status to pursue.

“The School of Nursing CCNE accreditation is the outcome of a lengthy process of self-study, on-site evaluation, and quality improvement that was ongoing from summer 2012 through spring 2013,” Dr. Sarvey continued. “CCNE granted Barton’s School of Nursing the maximum initial accreditation of five years, which reflects the entire College’s commitment to quality education and the success of our students.”

This good news follows the announcement earlier this fall that Barton’s 2013 Nursing Class passed the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN), with ninety-five percent of its graduates successfully completing the NCLEX on their first attempt and the remaining graduate passing the exam on her second attempt this past summer. The report of all members of the Class of 2013 passing the NCLEX following graduation this past May follows the 100% NCLEX pass rates of the Classes of 2011 and 2012. Barton’s School of Nursing continues to rank among the best programs in the state, and its graduates are highly sought after in regionally and nationally recognized medical facilities and graduate schools.

For additional information about the Barton College School of Nursing, visit www.barton.edu/nursing, and for additional information about CCNE, visit www.aacn.nche.edu/ccne-accreditation.

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