Spring 2017

Dear Colleagues:

I am pleased to announce that the NLN CNEA has met yet another milestone in its existence with the recent accreditation of its first three programs. The NLN CNEA Board of Commissioners met in Washington, DC, February 16 - 17, 2017 and granted initial accreditation to Wilson College's BSN and MSN programs, and Concordia College Alabama's RN-BSN program. The term for initial accreditation is six years. We congratulate these programs for their commitment to demonstrating quality and excellence in nursing education.

Speaking of accomplishments, here are some interesting statistics about the NLN CNEA:

April 27-28, 2017 NLN CNEA Initial Program Application Subcommittee meeting May 4-5, 2017 NLN CNEA Program Review Committee meeting June 22-23, 2017 NLN CNEA Board of Commissioners meeting WORKSHOPS April 19, 2017 - San Diego, CA Preparing Your Program for NLN CNEA Accreditation: Beginning the Journey. April 25, 2017 - Washington, DC The ABCs of Developing Program Systematic Evaluation Plans for NLN CNEA Accreditation May 5, 2017 - Washington, DC Achieving NLN CNEA Accreditation in Practical/Vocational Nursing Education WEBINARS April 12, 2017 NLN CNEA Accreditation: Focus on Systematic Evaluation Plans and Feedback Mechanisms April 21, 2017 NLN CNEA Self-Study Reports: An Overview of the Process May 17, 2017 NLN CNEA: Preparing for an On-Site Program Evaluation Visit webinar June 14, 2017 NLN CNEA Pre-accreditation Candidacy: An Overview of the Process webinar PRE-ACCREDITATION CANDIDACY DEADLINES April 10, 2017 Final day for program to apply for pre-accreditation candidacy and be reviewed by the NLN CNEA Board of Commissioners at June 2017 meeting

	As of February 2017, we have granted pre-accreditation to 31 programs and accredited three programs, including PN/VN, diploma (RN), associate degree, bachelor degree, master's degree, and clinical doctorate programs.
	We have appointed and trained 106 on-site program evaluators from nursing education and nursing practice.
	In 2016, more than 500 nurse educators attended the workshops, conferences, and webinars offered by the NLN CNEA.
	The NLN CNEA has board commissioners, committee members, on-site program evaluators, interested programs, and pre-accredited and accredited programs from 40 of the 50 states.

Why are these numbers significant? They demonstrate that the NLN CNEA is growing steadily as an accrediting body, has a national level of acceptance in its scope of accrediting activities across the academic continuum, and has a large number of nurse educators and practitioners who are committed to applying the NLN core values of caring, diversity, excellence, and integrity to the accreditation process. Our volunteers demonstrate their commitment to the NLN CNEA by volunteering to share their expertise in nursing education and practice to implement a peer-driven, values-based accreditation process. I am humbled every day by the many accomplished professionals I have the good fortune to work with on our Board of Commissioners, our various committees, on-site program evaluators, and other volunteers, as we build the many different aspects of the NLN CNEA accrediting division. They are innovative and creative, strategic in their thinking, and fully engaged in vigorous, respectful dialogue with each other as they consider the needs of our programs, faculty, and students. They are building a strong foundation that will continue to serve nursing education globally for many years to come.

Update on US Department of Education Recognition Process
Many of you are interested in our progress toward seeking recognition by the US Department of Education (USDE). There are a number of steps we need to achieve in this multi-stage recognition process, and we continue to progressively work our way through the checklist of requirements.

As I have shared with you before, we are required to be in existence a minimum of two years and engaged in accrediting activities during this time before we can petition for recognition. We must also demonstrate acceptance by educators, practitioners, and employers, and we must demonstrate a federal link to our accreditation. We must engage in accrediting activities with at least one of every type program for which we want to be recognized and we must demonstrate a national scope in our activities.

I am pleased to report that the NLN CNEA is making great progress in all of these areas, and anticipate that in the near future we will be visited by an USDE analyst to observe us carrying out our policies and procedures. Essentially, this process is very similar to what a school goes through for the accreditation of its programs - in this case the process is applied to an accrediting agency. I am always happy to explain this process to those who have questions, so please don't hesitate to inquire.

All best wishes,


Judith A. Halstead, PhD, RN, FAAN, ANEF
Executive Director
National League for Nursing
Commission for Nursing Education Accreditation
 

We are pleased to announce our 2017 workshop and webinar schedule. The NLN CNEA strives to provide program development opportunities that meet our programs' differing needs. Use this as a guide to decide which offering might be most appropriate for you:

	Workshops provide a detailed and interactive experience, designed to explore the given topic in depth.
	One-hour topical webinars provide a focused overview on selected topics. Topical webinars may be live or archived experiences. Interaction on the live version is through the use of a “chat” feature. A nominal fee is charged for these webinars.
	Accreditation process webinars provide an overview of NLN CNEA policies and procedures such as applying for pre-accreditation, the mechanics related to writing a self-study report, preparing to host an on-site program evaluation visit. Interaction is through the use of a “chat” feature. Accreditation process webinars may be live or archived experiences. These webinars are free.

UPCOMING WORKSHOPS

April 19, 2017
Preparing Your Program for NLN CNEA Accreditation: Beginning the Journey
Marriott Marquis San Diego Marina in San Diego, CA
Six (6) contact hours or 0.6 CEUs

April 25, 2017
The ABCs of Developing Program Systematic Evaluation Plans for NLN CNEA Accreditation
Barbara Jordan Conference Center in Washington, DC
Five point seven five (5.75) contact hours or 0.575 CEUs

May 5, 2017
Achieving NLN CNEA Accreditation in Practical/Vocational Nursing Education
NLN Headquarters in Washington, DC
CEUs have been requested.

August 24, 2017
Writing Your Program's NLN CNEA Self-Study: Process and Outcomes
NLN Headquarters in Washington, DC
Five point seven five (5.75) contact hours or 0.575 CEUs

September 14, 2017 at NLN Education Summit
Marriott Marquis San Diego Marina in San Diego, CA
The ABCs of Developing Program Systematic Evaluation Plans for NLN CNEA Accreditation CEUs have been requested.

Preparing Your Program for NLN CNEA Accreditation: Beginning the Journey
CEUs have been requested.

Upcoming Topical Webinars

April 12, 2017
NLN CNEA Accreditation: Focus on Systematic Evaluation Plans and Feedback Mechanisms
$30; CEUs have been requested.

Upcoming Accreditation Process Webinars

April 21, 2017
NLN CNEA Self-Study Reports: An Overview of the Process

May 17, 2017
NLN CNEA: Preparing for an On-Site Program Evaluation Visit

June 14, 2017
NLN CNEA Pre-accreditation Candidacy: An Overview of the Process

Next Issue of the CNEA Connection: July 11, 2017.