UTEP School of Nursing Earns Maximum CCNE Reaccreditation
Last Updated on November 18, 2019 at 12:00 AM
Originally published November 18, 2019
By UC Staff
UTEP Communications
The University of Texas at El Paso’s School of Nursing recently received the maximum 10-year reaccreditation for its baccalaureate, master’s and postgraduate APRN (advanced practice registered nurse) certificate programs from the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE).
Accreditation by CCNE means that the School of Nursing has met the commission’s high standards for preparing nurses to practice competently at a particular degree level.
The rigorous year-long process included a comprehensive self-study of the school’s Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN), Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) and DNP programs and an on-site visit by the CCNE accrediting team in November 2018.
Leslie K. Robbins, Ph.D., the interim dean of the School of Nursing, said graduation from CCNE-accredited programs is essential for students who choose to continue their education.
Most graduate nursing programs, including UTEP, will only accept candidates who earned a bachelor’s degree from an accredited university. Graduates also qualify for jobs that require graduation from CCNE-accredited institutions.
“At UTEP, we provide students with the education and resources they need to seamlessly advance from their bachelor’s degree to their master’s and doctorate degrees,” Robbins said. “Our graduate students build upon on the knowledge that they received in our BSN program to advance their education and provide a higher level of patient care as advanced practice nurses.”
Approximately 2,400 students are enrolled in UTEP’s undergraduate and graduate nursing programs. Nearly 98% of the school’s bachelor degree graduates passed the National Council Licensure Examination for registered nurses (NCLEX-RN) in 2018. The school offers the only nurse practitioner programs in the Paso del Norte region.
Officially recognized by the U.S. Secretary of Education as a national accreditation agency, CCNE is an autonomous accrediting agency, contributing to the improvement of the public's health. CCNE ensures the quality and integrity of baccalaureate, graduate, and residency programs in nursing.
