1. NLN Commission for Nursing Education Accreditation: An Update
Judith A. Halstead, RN, PhD, ANEF, FAAN
Executive Director, NLN CNEA

2. CNEA Background Established September 2013 by NLN membership
Autonomous accreditation division within the NLN
Will accredit all types of nursing programs from LPN/LVN to DNP
Category 2 agency (USDE classification)with a principle purpose of accrediting higher education programs, NOT for Title IV purposes
Seeking voluntary recognition by the USDE

3. CNEA Steering Committee Established
Anne Belcher, PhD, RN, AOCN, FAAN, ANEF, Associate Professor, Johns Hopkins University School of Nursing
Donna Boland, PhD, RN, ANEF, Associate Professor Emerita, Indiana University School of Nursing
Patricia Castaldi, DNP, RN, ANEF, Director Practical Nursing & Allied Health, Union County College
Joan Darden, PhD, MSN, RN, ANEF, Interim Vice President for Academic Affairs, Darton State College
Cole Edmondson, DNP, RN, FACHE, NEA-BC, Vice President, Patient Care Services, Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital
Betsy Frank, PhD, RN, ANEF, Professor Emerita, Indiana State University School of Nursing
Betty Horton, PhD, CRNA, FAAN, self-employed
Cathleen Shultz, PhD, RN, FAAN, Professor, Harding University College of Nursing

4. C CNEA Standards Committee Established
Sharon Cannon, EdD, RN, Professor and Regional Dean, Texas Tech Health Sciences Center
Robert Davis, DNP, RN, WFR, SARTECH I, Sr. Director, Online Operations, Chamberlain College of Nursing
Nelda Godfrey, PhD, ACNS-BC, FAAN, Associate Dean of Undergraduate Programs, University of Kansas School of Nursing
Kathleen B. Hill, JD, MSN, RN, Director of Programmatic Accreditation, Galen College of Nursing
Versie Johnson-Mallard, PhD, WHNP-BC, FAANP, Associate Professor, University of South Florida
Mary Lou Morales, MSN, RN-BC, CNS, CNE, Nursing Program Manager, Ogden Weber Tech College
Laurie Peters, PhD, MSN, RN, Associate Vice President for Nursing, Ivy Tech Community College
CNEA Steering Committee Liaisions – Anne Belcher, Pat Castaldi, & Joan Darden

5. NLN CNEA Mission
The NLN Commission for Nursing Education Accreditation (CNEA) promotes excellence and integrity in nursing education through an accreditation process that respects the diversity of program mission, curricula, students, and faculty. By emphasizing a culture of continuous quality improvement within nursing education globally, the CNEA accreditation process influences the preparation of a caring and skilled nursing workforce.

6. Core Values related to Accreditation
Caring
Process to reflect a culture of advocacy for quality assurance in nursing education
Collegial, collaborative context
Uphold standards and rigor of process in a caring manner
Diversity
All types of programs
Reflective of respect for programs’ diversity of mission, curricula, faculty and students
Integrity
Exercise personal, professional and organizational integrity throughout process
Transparent dialogue
Excellence
Promote excellence through clarity of accreditation process
Emphasis on continuous quality improvement (CQI)

7. Implementing Accreditation Services
According to USDE regulations, NLN CNEA must be in existence a minimum of two years prior to seeking voluntary recognition from the USDE
Prior to seeking recognition from the USDE, NLN CNEA must engage in accreditation activities
Anticipate beginning accreditation activities late 2015/early 2016
NLN CNEA will also seek voluntary recognition from the Council of Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA)

8. Process of Developing Accreditation Standards
NLN CNEA Standards Committee met August 2014
Produced an initial draft of accreditation standards
Initial draft of standards will undergo numerous revisions before being finalized
Faculty will have opportunities to provide feedback before final set of accreditation standards are adopted
Standards will be approved for adoption by the NLN CNEA Board of Commissioners in Spring 2015
Commitment to a transparent process

9. Emerging Standards Template
Standards, Quality Indicators, Interpretative Guidelines and Supporting Evidence
Proposed Standards
Standard I - Program Mission, Governance and Resources
Standard II – Faculty
Standard III – Students
Standard IV – Curriculum and Teaching/Learning/Evaluation Processes
Standard V – Program Outcomes

10. Future NLN CNEA Action Items
Continued development and refinement of accreditation standards
Development of a new applicant process to signify intent to pursue accreditation with NLN CNEA
Appointment of a review committee to review applications for accreditation
Appointment of an initial NLN CNEA Board of Commissioners
Appointment and training of on-site evaluators
Election of NLN CNEA Nominating Committee

11. Questions