The Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) recently granted accreditation to St. Petersburg College’s baccalaureate degree program in Nursing, which will extend until June 30, 2032. The program first gained accreditation in 2007, and this is its second renewal.

No easy task

The accolade is hard earned. For two years, the faculty, staff and deans of the RN-BSN Nursing program worked to evaluate the program at multiple levels to ensure that it met CCNE’s four standards, which take an in-depth look at mission and governance, institutional commitment to resources, curriculum and teaching-learning practices, and achievement of program outcomes.

Dr. Jean Lee, Professor of Nursing in the College of Nursing’s RN-BSN program, said multiple perspectives had to be considered to ensure that SPC’s RN-BSN Nursing program is contemporary and responsive to the needs of students and the College’s community partners.

“The overall process and visit was a group effort involving students, faculty, staff and administrators within the College of Nursing and other areas and personnel from many other departments,” Lee said.

Accreditation means excellence

CCNE accreditation is a stamp of excellence that means that SPC students are getting a high-quality education that meets the standards for baccalaureate nursing education. It also allows St. Petersburg College BSN graduates to matriculate into accredited graduate nursing programs throughout the country. 

“It ensures that courses have contemporary and relevant content, instructors are using a variety of appropriate teaching methods, and students are equipped to meet professional challenges and expectations of baccalaureate nurses,” Lee said.