School of Nursing earns continuing accreditation from NLNAC

Continuing accreditation demonstrates program's commitment to highest standards of nursing education

The UAA School of Nursing was recently awarded continuing accreditation from the National League for Nursing Accreditation Commission (NLNAC). At its meeting on July 8-9, 2009, the NLNAC Board of Commissioners approved continuing accreditation of the School's master's, baccalaureate and associate's degree programs, including the post-master's certificate program. NLNAC's next evaluation visit is scheduled for Spring 2017.

Accreditation by NLNAC is based on adherence to national standards for nursing education, including Mission and Governance; Faculty; Students; Curriculum and Instruction; Resources; Integrity; and Educational Effectiveness. According to the three-step NLNAC evaluation process, the UAA School of Nursing met these rigorous standards for all three of its programs.

"I am extremely grateful to our partners who helped make this possible, and to all of the faculty and staff of the School of Nursing for their hard work and commitment to our students," said Chancellor Fran Ulmer.

The recent evaluation was for continuing accreditation, with initial accreditation for all three programs occurring several years ago. The M.S. program was initially accredited in 1986, the B.S. program in 1978 and the A.A.S. program in 1977. All nursing programs in the School of Nursing have been continuously accredited since those initial dates.

NLNAC and its predecessor, the National League for Nursing, have stood for standards of excellence for all types of nursing education for over 50 years. The UAA School of Nursing's successful accreditation by NLNAC demonstrates the program's commitment to the highest standards of nursing education.

"Being awarded continuing accreditation for the maximum eight-year period confirms that the School of Nursing programs meet the standards of excellence for which we continuously strive," said Jean Ballantyne, director of the UAA School of Nursing.

For more information about NLNAC, visit www.nlnac.org or call (404) 975-5000. For more information about the UAA School of Nursing, visit http://nursing.uaa.alaska.edu/ or call (907) 786-4550.