Value of Accreditation Issue - April 2025

There are many things that come to mind when an educator hears “Accreditation.” For us, accreditation is more than a credential; it is the commitment of a nursing program to strive for excellence. As educators, we have witnessed firsthand the transformative impact of ACEN accreditation on our ASN nursing students in our Weekend Hybrid Track (WHT). Through Eades’ consecutive participation in ACEN Nursing Education Conferences from 2022 through 2024, and experience as a Peer Evaluator, we have been able to use that invaluable knowledge and insight to shape program development, enhance faculty preparedness, and improve student outcomes.

Elevating Programmatic Outcomes

Attending ACEN conferences has provided a strong framework for assessing and refining our program’s effectiveness. It is the result of integrating Accreditation Standards, that we have seen and continue to measure improvements in (1) NCLEX Success, (2) student progression and retention, and (3) clinical preparedness through the following:

• NCLEX Success - Refining test-taking strategies, leading to improved pass rates of 87.85% (disaggregated to be above 90%) for the WHT
• Student Progression & retention - Accreditation’s emphasis on continuous assessment has helped identify areas of improvement thus assisting in also identifying at-risk students early, allowing for targeted remediation strategies.
  Clinical Preparedness - Make certain that students are equipped with both theoretical and hands-on experience, delivered by faculty who are sound in both education and experience, which is reinforced by the ACEN Accreditation Standards.

Examples of Student Progression, Licensure Success, and Academic Integrity

The impact of accreditation is abundantly seen when reviewing the disaggregated data of our WHT as it relates to progression and licensure exam success. Targeted remediation strategies have addressed learning gaps, thus helping to improve the academic performance of students. Curriculum modifications focused on entry-level nursing, and the Clinical Judgment Measurement Model (CJMM) ensuring our students progress to graduation and are well-prepared to meet the challenges of nursing care. Faculty engagement initiatives that include collaborative development sessions (e.g. hack-a- thons) have enhanced instructional quality, productivity, and innovation (e.g. integration of AI). We have also included the implementation of measurements to uphold academic integrity and rigor of student assessments, to include revising test strategies to prevent memorization of answers to strengthen the credibility of student assessments.

Faculty Development and Curriculum Enhancement

One of the most significant benefits of accreditation is the impact that it has on faculty development 2. Through ACEN conferences and evaluator training, we have been able to identify and improve areas of development as a college and implement the development into our role as educators. We have been able to (1) develop and put into place evidence-based teaching methods, (2) foster interprofessional collaboration, and (3) strengthen peer evaluation processes through the following:

• Implement Evidence-Based Teaching Methods - Incorporating conference takeaways into our curriculum to enhance our approach to competency-based education and in creating a student-centered curriculum).
• Foster Interprofessional Collaboration - The accreditation process has encouraged us as faculty to collaborate within our department, our healthcare partners, and the university to ensure that our curriculum aligns with student and program needs.
• Strengthen Peer Evaluation Processes - As an ACEN Peer Evaluator, Eades has gained and shared a deeper understanding of accreditation expectations, allowing the program to be proactive in addressing areas of improvement, with minimal resistance to change, while greatly impacting our students.

Example of Enhancing Teaching Strategies and Faculty Development

We have enhanced our development and curriculum through the integration of standardized assessments and technologies throughout the course to identify student readiness and areas needing remediation; thus ensuring and fostering a strong foundation for the success of the students. We have increased teaching strategies to include prioritization frameworks for clinical decision-making, and interactive games and role-playing scenarios, that have improved students' critical thinking and application of nursing concepts. In addition, the ability to refine the mentorship program and faculty orientation lends to departmental collaboration and support of high-quality instruction.

Bridging Gaps in the Weekend Hybrid Track

Our embracing of ACEN accreditation has been instrumental in creating and implementing refinements in the WHT. By thoroughly reviewing Standards 1-5, we have (1) integrated technology and simulation-based learning to include AI, (2) maintained and secured additional clinical sites, and (3) increased faculty development and support. As a result, we have improved student engagement and knowledge retention, offered diverse learning opportunities, and strengthened teaching methods, student mentoring, and faculty engagement.

Examples of Improving Student Support, Engagement, and Clinical Opportunities

The WHT has benefited greatly from accreditation-driven refinements including structured student forums that provide a platform for discussion, fostering confidence and preparedness for students, especially as the students near preceptorship. The adoption of standardized exam tools has enhanced assessment consistency, while the use of workshops has reinforced critical thinking procedures before entering the workforce. In addition, integrating experiential learning experiences and securing clinical affiliations with facilities that meet the needs of the underserved population, ensures diverse and comprehensive learning experiences for students.

Looking Ahead to the Fall of 2026

As we prepare for our upcoming accreditation visit, the rich and rewarding benefits of ACEN Accreditation Conferences have positioned us for success. The ongoing review of accreditation standards certifies that our program remains responsive to the needs of our students. We are sure that accreditation will continue to elevate our program, and foster improvement and academic excellence. It is because of meeting these standards that our graduates across the programs (Traditional ADN, LPN to ASN, and WHT) are well- equipped to be competent, confident, and practice-ready nurses and to provide quality person-centered care.

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