CCNE Accredits AUB's Nursing Programs

Nursing School celebrates accreditation: Medical Dean Nadim Cortas and Director Huijer (center) cut the cake

The Board of the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) granted the BSN and MSN degree programs of the AUB School of Nursing (SON) unconditional accreditation for a five-year term effective on October 13, 2007, making them the first CCNE accredited nursing programs outside the United States.

The culmination of an international peer assessment, the accreditation attests to the fact that the two programs meet all international professional standards essential for nursing education at the undergraduate and graduate levels.

According to the director of SON, Huda Abu-Saad Huijer, "The accreditation process was important for us in many ways. Its value is as significant internally for quality improvement as it is for obtaining the accreditation. The self-study process helped us reflect collectively on what we're doing and accordingly making the necessary changes based on input from the entire faculty involved. The second significance of accreditation is its "stamp," attesting to the fact that we met criteria that are internationally recognized. My assessment is that it will be easier for us to recruit good quality students and faculty, since an accreditation like that of CCNE instills confidence in the programs SON offers. Finally, I think an international accreditation is important for nursing as a profession in Lebanon. For it to be recognized internationally, SON helped improve the stature and the credibility of the profession and gave it additional visibility."

The accreditation decision was based on a two-year self-study process, which began in 2005 and included a site visit in May 2007 to AUB by a team of four international nursing scholars. SON faculty, students, and staff, as well as alumni and stakeholders, participated in the accreditation process. The nursing school was approved in March 2005 for accreditation with an eligibility period of two years, and a task force for self-study and accreditation was accordingly appointed.

"The School of Nursing has worked hard during the last two years to ensure the rigor, excellence, and relevance of its BSN and MSN programs," said Huijer. The school's faculty collaborated in preparing the self-study, which addressed the mission, governance, resources, curriculum, teaching practices, and effectiveness of the program. The process included ongoing consultations with students, alumni, and stakeholders. A comprehensive evaluation plan for the SON was developed and key performance indicators were designated. Consequently, a number of surveys were developed and tested, whose results will yield indicators for program improvement.

SON currently has three nursing programs: BSN, RN-BSN or bridging degree, and MSN. The MSN program, with emphasis on advanced nursing practice, has two tracks (adult care with a minor in nursing education and nursing administration). A new track in mental health and psychiatric nursing was added in the academic year of 2007-08.

The AUB BSN program is the oldest nursing program offered in the region (SON celebrated its 100th anniversary in 2005). So far, it has graduated a large number of professionals who have occupied leadership positions in nursing education, research, administration, and clinical practice in Lebanon, the region, and worldwide.

CCNE, an autonomous accrediting entity that is officially recognized by the US Secretary of Education, is dedicated to the improvement of nursing education. It ensures the quality and integrity of baccalaureate and graduate nursing programs and supports and encourages continuing self-assessment.

For more information on AUB's School of Nursing visit: http://staff.aub.edu.lb/~webson/

For more information on CCNE visit: http://www.aacn.nche.edu/Accreditation/AboutCCNE.htm