Value of Accreditation Issue - April 2025

At the College of Saint Mary (CSM), accreditation by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) is the cornerstone of our nursing program, reinforcing our deep commitment to academic excellence, professional preparation, and continuous quality improvement. More than a credential, ACEN accreditation reflects our dedication to equipping students with the knowledge, skills, and clinical judgment needed to succeed in today's evolving healthcare landscape. It ensures that our curriculum, faculty expertise, and institutional resources uphold the highest national standards, empowering our graduates to be come skilled, knowledgeable, and compassionate professionals.

ACEN accreditation has shaped CSM's culture of assessment and quality improvement, driving innovation in curriculum development, faculty collaboration, and student success. Through a structured, evidence-based approach, we have established a faculty-driven program that prioritizes strategic planning and continuous evaluation. This framework enabled us to:

• Enhance program structures: ACEN standards guide our nursing committees, promoting a collaborative, data-driven approach to curriculum development, assessment, and faculty leadership. Additionally, students are encouraged to join all nursing program committees, allowing them to have a voice in decision-making and gain insight into the accreditation process and its role in maintaining the quality of nursing education.
• Implement best practices: Accreditation fosters the integration of emerging trends in nursing education, including advancements in clinical judgment, client-centered care, and leadership.
• Support strategic growth: Our commitment to ACEN standards has, over the years, guided our successful transition from an Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) with an RN-BSN completion track to a traditional Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program. This shift aligns with the skills required in today’s healthcare environment. In addition, the ACEN standards established in the BSN program have played a key role in the development of our Practical Nursing Certificate (PNC) program, highlighting the importance of these standards as the program works to achieve ACEN candidacy.
• Demonstrate excellence in student outcomes: ACEN accreditation assures students that they are receiving a high-quality education—one that prepares them for licensure and a successful nursing career. Our graduates enter the workforce with a strong foundation in evidence-based practice, professionalism, and ethical leadership—qualities that are highly valued and sought after by employers. This commitment to excellence is reflected in our students' success, with a 97.5% first-time NCLEX-RN pass rate and a 100% job placement rate in 2024. These outcomes highlight the strength of our curriculum, faculty support, and dedication to continuous improvement.
• Extend our impact beyond nursing: The structures refined through ACEN accreditation within the nursing program serve as a benchmark for assessment and quality improvement, setting the standard for other programs across the college.

Beyond shaping our internal processes, ACEN accreditation connects us to a broader community of nursing educators and institutions committed to excellence. At CSM, our faculty members who serve as ACEN peer evaluators gain invaluable insights into national best practices, bringing fresh perspectives back to our program. Their participation in ACEN self-study forums, intensives, annual conferences, and the Evaluation Review Panel (ERP) fosters a culture of self-assessment and continuous learning. These experiences not only drive continuous improvement in our program but also contribute to our faculty's professional development, encouraging reflection, refining our practices, and strengthening our ability to meet the needs of students, employers, and the healthcare industry.

At CSM, we are grateful for the opportunities ACEN accreditation provides to refine our program, strengthen faculty development, and enhance student outcomes. By aligning our governance structures with accreditation standards and fostering a faculty-led culture of assessment, we have created an environment that is dynamic, student-centered, and committed to excellence. As we move forward, ACEN accreditation will remain central to our mission, ensuring that we graduate skilled, compassionate nurses who are prepared to lead and make a lasting impact on healthcare.

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