UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — The Penn State College of Nursing has successfully completed a virtual site accreditation visit with the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE). The visit was facilitated over the course of three days with a committee of CCNE-appointed industry leaders. The virtual visit will be followed by a formal report, and additional review by CCNE with final evaluation and approval by the Board of Commissioners for CCNE at the Fall meeting.

The visit began Jan. 27, 2020, and culminated in a college-wide presentation where the committee reported that Penn State nursing has met all standards and there are zero compliance concerns. Programs that underwent the rigorous evaluation process include the baccalaureate programs, both the Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) and the RN to BSN programs, the Master of Science (MS) and the Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) programs, the Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) program, and the post-graduate APRN certificate programs.

“The college is pleased with the virtual visit and expects a positive outcome following the completion of the review process in the Fall,” said Laurie Badzek, dean of the College of Nursing. “This process encourages all of our faculty and administrators to step back and examine our program content and delivery. I commend all the faculty, staff, students, alumni and friends for such great representation of our college.”  

CCNE is a national accreditation agency and recognized by the U.S. Secretary of Education. The accreditation process is voluntary and hailed as a hallmark of quality nursing programs. The evaluation process examines curriculum and learning outcomes to ensure students receive a high-quality education preparing them for industry.

Penn State’s College of Nursing programs are currently accredited. Upon successful completion of the review this fall the nursing programs will be accredited for 10 years.