Winona State University’s Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) program has received full initial accreditation from the Commission for Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE).
The board found that WSU’s program met all four of the accrediting standards needed to receive full accreditation.
The DNP Program is now accredited until June 30, 2020.
William McBreen, Dean of the College of Nursing at both WSU and WSU-Rochester, said the accreditation is an accumulation of the department’s hard work and WSU’s commitment to success.
“The full accreditation of the Doctor of Nursing Practice program is an exciting achievement for the College of Nursing and Health Sciences and for Winona State University. This is the first doctoral level program for Winona State, and is the culmination of years of work by the graduate nursing faculty,” McBreen said.
“The nursing faculty’s commitment to excellence has been the driving force behind our success,” McBreen continued. “Their work with our outstanding nursing practice partners throughout Southeastern Minnesota, Western Wisconsin, and Northeastern Iowa has resulted in a highly recognized program that prepares nurses for advanced nursing roles that are so very critical to the delivery of the highest quality of nursing care.”
McBreen also acknowledged the work of CCNE in ensuring DNP programs continue to maintain the high standards necessary for success and care in the healthcare world.
“We are also grateful to our accrediting agency, the Commission for Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE),” McBreen said. “CCNE is dedicated to quality in nursing education while embracing the values of continuous improvement and innovation. It is an honor to receive full accreditation from such an outstanding organization.”
Nurse Practitioner and 2015 DNP Graduate Dana Shuey said her experience in this program, though stressful at times, offered her the education she was looking for with faculty who were there at all times to help her succeed.
“I felt like the faculty were knowledgeable and helpful. I really appreciated having help finding my clinical sites,” Shuey said. “I think the most helpful part of the program was spending time talking to faculty and my fellow students, sharing our little triumphs and frustrations, sharing tips for success and discussing clinical practice. I also appreciated that the faculty was generally very prompt about returning emails.”
Since 2007 WSU has offered this doctoral program for students looking to gain advanced clinical and leadership abilities by enrolling in one of several program areas designed for nurse practitioners, clinical nurse specialists, or nursing and organizational leaders. In 2012, the program transitioned from being a member in a consortium of four other schools to a standalone program at WSU. Students work with clinical experts and graduate faculty with expertise in applied research to gain a higher understanding about nursing ethics, science, information and statistics.
Committed to improving the public’s health, CCNE is officially recognized by the U.S. Department of Education as a national accrediting agency. CCNE has worked as an autonomous accrediting to ensure the credibility and growth of baccalaureate, graduate and residency programs within the field of nursing.
For more information contact Sonja Meiers at smeiers@winona.edu.
Visit the WSU website for more information on the DNP program or to apply.
