Owens Community College could be on the verge of getting back the accreditation it lost for its registered nursing program several years ago. A review team from the National League of Nursing is on campus this week. It's all part of the process of getting the program the national accreditation again.
In July 2009 the National League of Nursing pulled its accreditation of the registered nursing program at Owens Community College. Dr. Renay Scott is the Provost at Owens, "When you have a situation like this you learn how important it is to pay attention to detail."According to the NLN the program didn't have enough part time faculty members with master's degrees and the college was not effectively showing they used data to improve the program, "I think all of us were surprised because our graduates were still passing the state licensing tests at high rates and the program from all appearances seemed to be well respected."
They went to work right away to get back the accreditation. They've since hired 10 new faculty members, studied data and put together a comprehensive report. This week the review team is on campus, "They are here interviewing folks, visiting labs and clinical sites as well as talking to nurse practitioners we use in the field. They are checking on what community partners and employers say about us."
Despite the lack of accreditation the program continued to be successful.with more applicants than seats available, "There were students who were disappointed and students who took a second look at the program, but we continue to get 150 applicants for the 90 or so spots available, which I think it speaks volumes about the program."
It may be July or August before Owens leaders learn whether the program will be accredited again. On a side note, the registered nursing program at Owens was given 5 year approval by the Ohio Board of Nursing in 2010.
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