Value of Accreditation Issue - April 2025

Accreditation is more than a stamp of approval; it is a testament to the collective dedication of our college, nursing program, and community partners. It signifies that the nursing program at Northeast Alabama Community College meets rigorous standards, ensuring excellence in nursing education. This achievement reflects our shared commitment to delivering high-quality education and preparing skilled nursing professionals. We take great pride in our continued accreditation, which highlights the dedication of our faculty and community partners. Through this commitment, we continue to graduate highly qualified nursing professionals who enhance the well-being of both our local community and the state.

For several years, our graduates have consistently exceeded both national and state passing standards on the NCLEX-RN and NCLEX-PN exams, a reflection of their dedication and hard work. In 2024, our Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) graduates achieved an impressive 94.23% pass rate on the NCLEX-RN exam, surpassing the state average of 91.87%, the national average of 91.16% for ADN and BSN graduates combined, and 90.63% for ADN graduates alone. Our Practical Nursing (PN) graduates also demonstrated outstanding success, achieving a perfect 100% pass rate in 2024. This achievement includes both stand-alone PN graduates and those advancing through the ADN pathway. These outstanding results reflect the excellence of our nursing program and the steadfast dedication of our students, faculty, and community, further reinforced by the program's ACEN accreditation.

Our program not only boasts outstanding pass rates but also provides unique opportunities for nursing students to gain valuable hands-on experience. Through our student nurse apprenticeship program, developed in collaboration with the Alabama Board of Nursing, the Alabama Office of Apprenticeship, and various healthcare facilities, students receive practical clinical training while earning a progressive wage to support their education. Student nurse apprentices are employed by our partner clinical agencies, where they are paired with a Registered Nurse (RN) mentor for one-on-one guidance. Upon graduation, students transition into their new role as an RN with the same agency. These experiences enhance their education, strengthen their career readiness, and highlight the advantages of an ACEN-accredited program.

Our accreditation has enabled us to establish valuable partnerships and expand educational opportunities for our students. Currently, we collaborate with three BSN programs to offer a dual-degree option, with an additional University partnership in development. This unique pathway allows students to fulfill the requirements for their ADN while simultaneously working toward their BSN. Upon completion, they can participate in graduation ceremonies for both programs, creating a seamless transition for those pursuing advanced nursing degrees. These partnerships and enhanced learning opportunities exemplify the excellence of an ACEN-accredited program.

Our program takes great pride in its highly qualified faculty, whose experience in nursing education ranges from two to thirty years. Their collective expertise spans a wide range of nursing specialties, including mental health, obstetrics, medical-surgical nursing, leadership, management, informatics, and research. Two of our faculty members hold national certification as Certified Nurse Educators, demonstrating their mastery of the competency standards set by the National League for Nursing. Additionally, our nationally certified simulation educator ensures that students receive high-quality, evidence-based simulation training aligned with best practices in the field.

While a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) is the minimum requirement to teach in our ADN program, more than half of our nine nursing faculty members hold terminal degrees. Four faculty members have earned Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) degrees, bringing advanced clinical expertise to our program, while one holds a research-focused PhD. Additionally, another faculty member is currently pursuing a PhD, with anticipated completion later this year. Their pursuit of terminal degrees demonstrates a steadfast commitment to delivering the highest-quality education to our students. During our most recent accreditation visit, the ACEN site visit team recognized our program for having an exceptional number of doctorally prepared nurse educators relative to our program's size, further reinforcing our commitment to excellence in nursing education.

We are immensely proud of our continued accreditation and sincerely appreciate the dedication of our college, nursing faculty, and community partners in upholding the standards set by the ACEN. We are grateful for the unwavering support and commitment of our community partners and look forward to the opportunities that ongoing accreditation will bring to our program, our college, and the individuals we serve.