NLNAC (National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission)  supports the interests of nursing education, nursing practice, and the public by the functions of accreditation.  Accreditation is a voluntary, self-regulatory process by which non-governmental associations recognize educational institutions or programs that have been found to meet or exceed standards and criteria for educational quality.  Accreditation also assists in the further improvement of the institutions or programs as related to resources invested, processes followed, and results achieved.

Quinsigamond Community  College's Nurse Education Program  is accredited by the NLNAC. (National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission) Listed below are the Seven  Standards  and twenty three criterion that must be addressed to  maintain approval status. 

Standard I:     Mission and Governance    

 There are clear and publicly stated mission and/or philosophy and purposes appropriate to postsecondary or higher education in nursing.  

Criterion 1 

Mission and/or philosophy of the nursing education unit is congruent with that of the governing organization, or differences are justified by the nursing education unit purposes.

Criterion 2

Faculty, administrators, and students participate in governance as defined by the parent organization and nursing education unit.

Criterion 3

Nursing education unit is administered by a nurse who is academically and experientially qualified, and who has authority and responsibility for development and administration of the program.

Criterion 4

Policies of the nursing education unit are consistent with those of the governing organization, or differences are justified by nursing education purposes. 

Standard II:    Faculty  

There are qualified and credentialed faculty, appropriate to accomplish the nursing education unit purposes and strengthen its educational effectiveness. 

Criterion 5

Faculty members (full and part-time) are academically and experientially qualified, and maintain expertise in their areas of responsibility.

Criterion 6

Number and utilization of full-and part-time faculty meet the needs of the nursing education unit to fulfill its purposes.

Criterion 7

Faculty performance is periodically evaluated to assure ongoing development and competence.

Criterion 8

The collective talents of the faculty reflect scholarship through teaching, application and the integration and discovery of knowledge as defined by the institution and the nursing unit.

Standard III :  Students  

The teaching and learning environment is conducive to student academic achievement.  

Criterion 9

Student policies of the nursing education unit are congruent with those of the governing organization, publicly accessible, non-discriminatory, and consistently applied; differences are justified by the nursing education unit purposes. 

Criterion 10

Students have access to support services administered by qualified individuals that include, but are not limited to:  health, counseling, academic advisement, career placement, and financial aid. 

Criterion 11

Policies concerned with educational and financial records are established and followed.

Standard IV:   Curriculum and Instruction    

The Curriculum is designed to accomplish its educational and related purposes.  

Criterion 12

Curriculum developed by nursing faculty flows from the nursing education unit philosophy/mission through an organizing framework into a logical progression of course outcomes and learning activities to achieve desired program/objectives/outcomes. 

Criterion 13

Program design provides opportunity for students to achieve program objectives and acquire knowledge, skills, values, and competencies necessary for nursing practice. 

Criterion 14

Practice Learning environments are selected and monitored by faculty and  provide opportunities for a variety of learning options appropriate for contemporary nursing.

  Standard V:     Resources   

Resources are sufficient to accomplish the nursing education unit purposes. .  Criterion 15

Fiscal resources are sufficient to support the nursing education unit purposes and commensurate with the resources of the governing organization.

Criterion 16

Program support services are sufficient for the operation of the nursing education unit. 

Criterion 17

Learning resources are comprehensive, current, developed with nursing faculty input, and accessible to faculty and students. 

Criterion 18

Physical facilities are appropriate to support the purposes of the nursing education unit. 

Standard VI:    Integrity 

 Integrity is evident in the practices and relationships of the nursing education unit.   

Criterion 19

Information about the program, intended to inform the general public, prospective students, current students, employers and other interested parties, is current, accurate, clear, and consistent.

Criterion 20

Complaints about the program are addressed and records are maintained and available for review.

Criterion 21

Compliance with Higher Education Reauthorization Act title IV eligibility and certification requirements is maintained. 

Standard VII:   Educational Effectiveness   

There is an identified plan for systematic evaluation including assessment of student academic achievement. 

Criterion 22

There is a written plan for systematic program evaluation that is used for continuous program improvement. 

Criterion 23

Student academic achievement by program type is evaluated by: graduation rates, licensure/certification pass rates, job placement rates and program satisfaction.