BEMIDJI, Minn. – The nursing program in Bemidji State University’s College of Social and Natural Sciences has received accreditation for 10 years from the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education, the maximum amount that can be awarded to a program. The accreditation, which covers the Department of Nursing’s baccalaureate programs, was awarded during a vote of the CCNE Board of Commissioners in April and continues through June 30, 2018.

Officially recognized by the U.S. Secretary of Education as a national accreditation agency, the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) is an autonomous accrediting agency contributing to the improvement of the public’s health. CCNE ensures the quality and integrity of baccalaureate and graduate education programs preparing effective nurses.

CCNE serves the public interest by assessing and identifying programs that engage in effective educational practices. As a voluntary, self-regulatory process, CCNE accreditation supports and encourages continuing self-assessment by nursing education programs and the continuing growth and improvement of collegiate professional education.

“The Department of Nursing faculty and staff members are honored to have been granted 10 years of national accreditation with the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education,” Dr. Jeanine Gangeness, chair of the Department of Nursing, said. “National accreditation means quality, across the board – in the faculty, curriculum, the community and the University.

“Grounded by the high standards established by Joelyn Scriba, Riki Scheela and Diane Rose, the originators of the program, the Department of Nursing is honored to take on the charge of maintaining and exceeding expectations established by the CCNE,” Gangeness added. “We are proud to bring excellence in nursing education to the next generation of nurses in northern Minnesota and to our new four-year program.”

Bemidji State’s next accreditation visit from the CCNE is planned for the fall of 2017.

For more information about Bemidji State’s nursing program, please contact the Department of Nursing at (218) 755-3860 or visit the program on the Web at http://www.bemidjistate.edu/academics/departments/nursing/.

About the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
The Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education is an autonomous accrediting agency, contributing to the improvement of the public’s health. CCNE ensures the quality and integrity of baccalaureate and graduate education programs preparing effective nurses. It serves the public interest by assessing and identifying programs that engage in effective educational practices. As a voluntary, self-regulatory process, CCNE accreditation supports and encourages continuing self-assessment by nursing education programs and supports continuing growth and improvement of collegiate professional education.
For further information about the CCNE, visit its Web site at: http://www.aacn.nche.edu.