Nursing programs earn kudos
The quality of the University of Louisiana's nursing instruction was recently affirmed when teams of evaluators scrutinized almost every aspect of its bachelor's and master's degree programs.
The baccalaureate program in College of Nursing and Allied Health Professions earned continued accreditation by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education.
So did its master of science in nursing, which is offered through the Intercollegiate Consortium for a Master of Science in Nursing. Other consortium members are Southeastern Louisiana University, McNeese State University and Nicholls State University.
Also, the College's Continuing Nursing Education Program recently achieved Accreditation with Distinction by the American Nurses Credentialing Center. Only about 10 percent of accredited continuing nursing education programs receive that special designation.
Dr. Gail Poirrier, dean of the College of Nursing and Allied Health Professions, said the bachelor's and master's programs were approved by evaluators without any recommended improvements.
"They found both programs to be stellar programs. They gave us rave reviews," she said. "Accreditation really gives credence to our programs and the quality of our graduates. It's like a stamp of approval from peers."
To obtain CCNE accreditation, a program must meet rigorous standards.
Two, three-member CCNE evaluation teams visited campus March 4-6. They interviewed the University of Louisiana nursing faculty, students and alumni. Team members also talked with University administrators and community partners, observed classroom and clinical activities, and reviewed extensive self-study documents.
The University of Louisiana received letters earlier this month that confirmed continued CCNE accreditation, along with detailed reports.
Evaluators gave the College of Nursing high marks for faculty members' expertise, state-of-the-art simulation labs, an up-to-date curriculum, and student support.
"All of the students and alumni agreed that the University of Louisiana has the best nursing program reputation within the state of Louisiana. Students stated, 'If you want to pass NCLEX-RN®, you come to the University of Louisiana,' " one report states.
Over the past 20 years, the University of Louisiana nursing graduates have achieved first-time pass rates for the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses that consistently exceed national and state averages.
Accreditation by CCNE is valid for 10 years, but Poirrier said the College continually evaluates its programs.
She thanked area health care facilities "for meeting us halfway to educate these students in the clinical arena. Without their invitation for our students and faculty to be guests in their facilities, we would never achieve accreditation status."
The University's reputation for strong nursing instruction is also evidenced by the recent accreditation with distinction for its Continuing Nursing Education Program.
"We've been accredited for 30 years through American Nurses Credentialing Center. This is the first time we've had accreditation with distinction," said Pat Miller, faculty coordinator of continuing education at the University of Louisiana.
About 1,100 nurses take courses offered by the University of Louisiana each year.
Nurses who are practicing full-time are required to successfully complete a minimum of five "contact hours" of instruction each year to maintain licensure by the State of Louisiana. That continuing education must be obtained from an accredited nursing program.
Miller said strong attendance at the University of Louisiana's continuing education programs is a testament to the quality of the classes.
"In these times, when it is so very easy to go online and practically get free contact hours, nurses are still coming to our programs because they like the opportunity to talk face to face with national speakers. They like the chance to interact with colleagues, to network, and to assess what's going on in the health care community," she said. "There are people who attend on a regular basis, three to five time a year, just because they want the content we provide."
The College of Nursing and Allied Health Professions offers about 20 continuing education programs per year. Some are co-sponsored with other health care organizations, such as hospitals and emergency care providers.
Miller said it offers a "subscribers series, which means that health care organizations in the region pay the University of Louisiana a certain amount of money every year and their employees can attend for a small fee. It's a huge benefit for them to be able to provide for their employees."
UL Press
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Re: Nursing programs earn kudos
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