published: Friday, February 01, 2013

SFSC's Nursing program meets NLNAC accreditation standards

Special to the News-Sun

AVON PARK - Following an intensive two-day review, the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission (NLNAC) visitation team determined that South Florida State College's Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) program complies with all NLNAC standards for accreditation.

The program expects to receive this accreditation in July. First, the NLNAC visitation team will submit its preliminary report to NLNAC's Evaluation Review Panel. In June, that panel will vote to recommend that the NLNAC Board of Commissioners grant the accreditation when it convenes in July.

Dr. Michele Heston, director, Nursing Education, said the visitation team was impressed with the quality of education offered through the SFSC ADN program and with the college in general. "They commended every aspect of SFSC and at every level, from maintenance to student services, and for the work we are doing in our community," Heston said.

The NLNAC visitation team consisted of three nursing educators employed at colleges in Alabama, Indiana, and Kentucky.

NLNAC accreditation is a mark of distinction, certifying that a nursing program adheres to the highest national standards of education. To become accredited, nursing programs must demonstrate that the program meets NLNAC's exacting standards of quality through an extensive review. As a result, students who graduate from NLNAC-accredited institutions are more readily accepted into other advance degree nursing programs and have broader employment opportunities.

By completing the SFSC ADN program, students earn an Associate in Science (A.S.) degree in nursing and become eligible to take the NCLEX examination for licensure as Registered Nurses (RNs).

"Dr. Michele Heston deserves extraordinary credit for her efforts in this accreditation process, but she had a strong team of faculty and staff helping her," Dr. Norman L. Stephens Jr., SFSC president, said. "This is another proud moment for all of us at SFSC."

For more information about NLNAC, visit www.nlnac.org.