Nursing programs achieve reaccreditation, continue to meet standards of excellence
Polk State College’s Associate in Science in Nursing and Bachelor of Science in Nursing programs recently received reaccreditation from the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) for exceeding standards and meeting criteria that determine educational quality.
The ACEN is recognized as the accrediting body for all types of Nursing education by the United States Department of Education and Council for Higher Education Accreditation. This prestigious accreditation recognizes the quality of Polk State Nursing and assists in the continued development of the programs.
“We appreciate the support of the college faculty and staff, our students, and our community partners, which helped us achieve this goal and allows us to maintain a quality program,” Director of Nursing Dr. Annette Hutcherson said. “It is exciting to hear from alumni who reach out to thank us for the excellent foundation they received at Polk State when they report to us about their continuing professional growth and accolades.”
Polk State’s Department of Nursing was established in 1965 to respond to the community’s growing healthcare needs, and the College’s programs continue to maintain standards of excellence, with graduates consistently exceeding state and national averages on licensing exams, indicating the overall quality of Polk State’s curriculum. The College’s Associate in Science in Nursing program’s pass rate for 2017 was 95.74 percent.
The Bachelor of Science in Nursing Program was added in 2011 and builds upon the Associate in Science in Nursing Program, following the nationally recognized 2+2 model in higher education and aligning curriculum to the rigor of national and statewide standards.
The Associate in Science in Nursing Program received initial accreditation from the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission (NLNAC) in1985 and has maintained accreditation continuously since that time. The Bachelor of Science in Nursing Program received initial accreditation by the ACEN in 2012 with the graduation of its first class. With this 2017 reaccreditation, both programs are scheduled for their next accreditation visits by the ACEN in Fall 2025.
“The reaccreditation of Polk State’s Nursing programs is a testament to the College’s ability to successfully educate highly skilled nurses and healthcare professionals to meet the needs of our community,” President Angela Garcia Falconetti. “Thanks to our highly skilled faculty and staff, students have access to an affordable, quality Nursing education that continues to meet standards of excellence equivalent to those required for state university programs.”
“Polk State is extremely proud of its Nursing programs,” Falconetti added. “They are stellar examples of the quality education students receive at Polk State College.”