NCK TECH

The Associate Degree Nursing Program at NCK Tech in Hays has received continuing accreditation by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN), according to Hays Campus Dean Sandy Gottschalk, MSN RN.

ACEN is the accrediting organization for all types of nursing education.

A self-study was prepared and the document was reviewed during a site visit by members of an evaluation review panel. During the site visit the program was also evaluated by direct observation and interviews. ACEN site visitors interviewed students, graduates, employers, faculty, and administrators. After the on-site visit, a summary report was submitted to an Evaluation Review Panel. The ACEN Board of Commissioners reviewed recommendations of the panel and then issued the Commission decision regarding accreditation status.

The accreditation process is voluntary, with peer-review intended to improve nursing education. The resulting reaccreditation provides for an independent analysis of the program and encourages constant, on-going self-examination which focuses on quality, student achievement, integrity and success.

Reaccreditation can have a significant impact on the Associate Degree Nursing program because it identifies the accomplishment of standards specific to nursing education. It is also important to ADN graduates who choose to pursue the Bachelors of Science in Nursing degree (BSN) through a university. For admittance, many universities require that registered nurses must be graduates of an accredited program.

“The NCK Tech nursing program is also proud of the success of our students,” said Gottschalk. “Our graduates have some of the highest NCLEX pass rates in the state/nation and also have excellent completion rates.”