Spring Hill College MSN Program earns maximum CCNE accreditation

MOBILE, Ala. — Spring Hill College’s Division of Nursing is thrilled to announce that the newly created Master of Science in Nursing, Clinical Nurse Leader (MSN-CNL) program has achieved the maximum accreditation status for a new graduate nursing program from the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE).

CCNE, headquartered in Washington, D.C., is an autonomous accrediting agency, contributing to the improvement of the public's health. Gaining accreditation is no easy task. CCNE has established a peer review process in accordance with nationally recognized standards established for the practice of accreditation in the U.S. and its territories. Accreditation by CCNE serves as a statement of quality educational practice in the field of nursing. The Division of Nursing had to prepare a self-study that was presented to the CCNE team during their site visit last fall. The study examines each component of program from its mission, goals and expected outcomes; and an assessment of the performance of the program in achieving mission and goals through the most effective utilization of available resources, programs and lhughesistration. The team that visited Spring Hill had members from Portland, Ore.; Anderson, Ind.; and Texarkana Texas.

“Achieving accreditation for the maximum term on our first try is such an honor and reflection on the quality of experience that Spring Hill strives to provide students,” said Dr. Carol Harrison, professor and chair of the Division of Nursing. “We take great pride in our learning community, and it is wonderful to have our accrediting agency and a team of our peers recognize that.” 

The MSN-CNL program at Spring Hill celebrated its one-year anniversary in March. It was launched after securing a grant from HRSA to develop the CNL role. The Clinical Nurse Leader role was developed and implemented in 2005 by AACN to help serve the growing health care needs. The CNL is a master’s-educated generalist practitioner who manages care for distinct patient groups. Spring Hill’s program is unique in that it allows the associate-degree-educated nurse to move easily into a masters program. Students who began the MSN curriculum last March will be graduating this summer.

For more information on Spring Hill College’s MSN-CNL program visit www.shc.edu/msn, or call 800-524-8957.