Monday, Jul 13, 2020
Accreditation recognizes program's quality and effectiveness
by Rachel Stengel '14, '20
Rider University's online RN to Bachelor of Science in Nursing (RN-BSN) program received renewed accreditation from the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) for 10 years.
CCNE is officially recognized by the U.S. Secretary of Education as a national accreditation agency and strives to ensure the quality and integrity of baccalaureate, graduate and residency programs in nursing.
"The full 10-year accreditation by CCNE demonstrates that the nursing program has met quality standards and stringent criteria for the RN-BSN degree," says Dr. Rosemary Fliszar, former director of the RN-BSN program who led the accreditation process.
CCNE accreditation requires nursing programs to meet four standards to evaluate the program's quality and effectiveness. Standards include alignment with the institution's overall mission and governance, institutional commitment and resources, curriculum and teaching practices, and assessment and achievement of program outcomes.
CCNE accreditation is a voluntary process in which participating colleges and universities must submit self-study report detailing how they meet all four standards and supply supporting documentation. A CCNE team also completes a site visit and writes a summary report that is reviewed by a committee. Upon evaluation, CCNE determined Rider's program met all four criteria and found no compliance concerns.
"We are very proud of this accomplishment," Fliszar says. "It signifies excellence and professionalism of the curricula, faculty and staff, and the quality of the students."
Rider's RN-BSN program is designed for licensed registered nurses who wish to advance their professional skills and credentials. The curriculum strives to provide new insights into the many facets of the nursing field and prepare students for leadership roles. Courses focus on health care policy, population health, patient care technology, professionalism, information management and more.
The 100% online program embraces flexibility for working professionals by offering six start dates throughout the year. Students may also transfer up to 90 credits from a combination of two-year and four-year institutions. Learn more about the program at https://online.rider.edu/online-bachelors-degrees/nursing.