Virginia Western nursing program gains accreditation
Virginia Western Community College on Tuesday announced it has received national accreditation for its nursing program.
The initial approval by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing comes a dozen years after another national nursing organization pulled its accreditation and triggered a lawsuit by former students that led to a $2.4 million settlement.
To gain ACEN accreditation of its associate of applied science degree in nursing, Virginia Western had to go through a two-year process that evaluated quality and effectiveness.
“I am so proud of Virginia Western’s nursing faculty and staff who have committed whole-heartedly to this process in order to demonstrate the effectiveness of their program and curriculum,” Robert Sandel, president of Virginia Western, said in a news release. “As an institution, we are fortunate to reside in a healthcare-focused region, and our students are an ongoing and integral part of elevating the level of care that is provided. The ACEN accreditation will help us serve our students, our area healthcare providers and our community better.”
Virginia Western is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges to award two-year degrees. Additional accreditation for nursing programs is voluntary, but it is recommended by the National Council of State Boards in order to ensure continuity and quality in nursing training.
Virginia Western’s program has maintained approval by the Virginia Board of Nurses, which means its graduates are eligible to sit for licensing exams.
To learn more, check out the whole article below.