Loyola's Advanced Practice Nursing Program Receives National Accreditation At Maximum Level

Main Category: Nursing / Midwifery
Article Date: 27 Dec 2011 - 1:00 PST

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The Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) program at Loyola University Chicago Marcella Niehoff School of Nursing (MNSON) has been granted accreditation for a five-year term, the maximum number of years possible, by the Commission of Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE).

MNSON introduced the DNP program for advanced practice nursing students in the fall semester of 2009. The program was developed in response to the increasing need for nurses to further their education in order to meet the growing demands of the nursing profession.

"This accreditation is a testament to the high quality of the MNSON DNP program," said Vicki Keough, PhD, RN-BC, ACNP, dean of MNSON.

The CCNE is recognized by the U.S. Secretary of Education as a national accreditation agency for baccalaureate, graduate and residency programs in nursing. In order to be accredited by the CCNE, nursing programs must demonstrate quality nursing education along with integrity.

The American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) will require all new advanced practice nurse graduates (APNs) to graduate with a DNP degree after 2015. Current APNs will be grandfathered in and will not need a DNP to continue their practice. After 2015, the Master of Science in nursing (MSN), which has been the standard for approximately 50 years, will no longer be accepted for nurses applying for national certification as nurse practitioners, clinical nurse specialists, nurse anesthetists and nurse midwives.

"The MNSON has been a leader in Nursing Education for over 75 years, and continues to demonstrate leadership with new and innovative initiatives with the DNP program that meets the demands of the nursing profession, said Keough.

The Marcella Niehoff School of Nursing continues to be a leader in advanced nursing education across the nation. The first DNP student graduated in the summer of 2011, and several other DNP students are expected to graduate in 2012.

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