MBU School of Nursing Accreditation Renewed by CCNE

After passing a rigorous accreditation review with flying colors, Maranatha received word from the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education on November 17 that the bachelor’s degree in Nursing will remain accredited.

The Process

The Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE), the accreditation committee acting under the American Association of Colleges of Nursing, has renewed Maranatha’s nursing accreditation. Maranatha first obtained CCNE accreditation in 2012, but the CCNE reviews accredited institutions every five years to ensure those universities continue to meet accreditation standards.

“If the school still meets those standards after 5 years, there’s the potential that if you’re really doing well, they may say, ‘Okay, we don’t want to see you again for another 10 years.’ That’s what we just got,” said Susan Rasmussen, MBU Nursing Department Director.

About seven months ago, Maranatha underwent about two and a half days of focused observation. The CCNE interviewed alumni, faculty, groups of students without faculty present, and personnel from local hospitals where MBU students conduct clinicals.

About one month after the CCNE’s visit to Maranatha, MBU received a preliminary report. The on-site observation had not revealed any problems, and the department had made a favorable impression. However, the CCNE Board of Commissioners did not meet to discuss the official accreditation until mid-October.

During their meeting on October 17-19, 2017, the Board approved accreditation for the MBU School of Nursing. The CCNE notified Maranatha a month later.

The Board not only granted MBU accreditation, but they also extended the time until the next accreditation review. Rather than returning to Maranatha for another review in five years, the CCNE will not return for observation until the spring of 2027—ten years from now.

The Product

Mrs. Rasmussen spoke about the importance of maintaining a high standard of excellence for the Nursing Department: “In the world of nursing, we have accreditation requirements and regulation requirements. We want to make sure that we’re performing up to a certain standard because ultimately we’re taking care of real people, and we want to make sure we’re putting out a good product to take care of those people.”

The high standards of accreditation are important in a hospital setting as well as an academic one. Maranatha’s accreditation sets it apart from competing schools.

Around the country, schools similar to Maranatha tend to have either regional accreditation or CCNE accreditation. Possessing either of those levels of accreditation demonstrates a high standard. Unfortunately, students receiving a degree from an institution with only regional accreditation or only CCNE accreditation may not be able to work in hospitals outside their university’s locale.

Maranatha, on the other hand, has both. This double accreditation sets it apart from similar institutions and allows for increased career opportunities for its graduates.

With its passion for academic excellence and ministry in the medical field, the School of Nursing remains committed to producing the best nurses possible “To the Praise of His Glory.”