Program Receives Full Approval from Arkansas State Board of Nursing

John Brown University announced this week that its Bachelor of Science in Nursing program has received full accreditation from the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE), a national nursing accrediting agency that is recognized by the U.S. Department of Education, and full approval from Arkansas State Board of Nursing (ASBN) to prepare nurse candidates for licensure.

CCNE evaluated JBU’s nursing program based on an internal self-study of the program’s quality and effectiveness, submitted comments from third parties concerning the program’s qualifications and a three-day, on-site evaluation performed by CCNE to ensure the program complies to CCNE’s accreditation standards and key elements.

“The nursing program aligns perfectly with JBU’s educational philosophy to provide students with career preparation, intellectual understanding and personal development. With the CCNE’s accreditation and ASBN’s full approval, JBU nursing students are assured that their education meets and exceeds all professional standards,” Dr. Richard Ellis, interim dean of the College of Education and Human Services, said. “We are proud of the work of JBU’s nursing faculty, particularly the head of our nursing department, Dr. Ellen Odell, in achieving these recognitions.”

In 2013, the university received unanimous approval from the ASBN to develop a nursing program, enabling pre-nursing students to register fall 2014. JBU raised $12 million to build and endow a 20,000-square-foot, state-of-the-art Health Education Building. This facility includes three classrooms, four exam rooms with computer-operated, interactive mannequins that simulate urgent care scenarios, two health assessment labs, a computer lab, offices and study lounges.

Currently, the nursing program has become one of the largest majors at the university with 151 students enrolled as of fall 2017.

“Our goal is not only to excellently educate our students, but also to show them the power of their education to make a real impact in the world,” Dr. Ellen Odell, nursing program director, said. “With accreditation from CCNE and approval from ASBN, we are able to ensure the quality and integrity of our program and continue to educate the next generation of nurses with the qualifications and preparation to do their job and do it exceedingly well.”

JBU graduated its first class of nursing students in university history on May 5, with 28 students earning a Bachelor of Science in nursing. These graduates already accepted positions in hospitals across Northwest Arkansas, and in Oklahoma and Tennessee, working in units such as labor and delivery, emergency, intensive care, adult medical-surgical, neonatal intensive care, cardiac neurodevelopment, pediatric surgical and acute care.

The Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education is an autonomous accrediting agency contributing to the improvement of the public’s health. CCNE ensures the quality and integrity of baccalaureate and graduate nursing education programs and entry-to-practice nurse residency programs. As a voluntary, self-regulatory process, CCNE accreditation supports and encourages continuing self-assessment by nursing programs and supports continuing growth and improvement of collegiate professional education and entry-to-practice nurse residency programs.

Established by the Arkansas Legislature in 1913 to safeguard the life and health of its citizens, the Arkansas State Board of Nursing (ASBN) achieves its mission by developing standards for safe nursing care, approval of nursing schools and regulating licenses to practice nursing. In addition to the Nurse Practice Act and Rules, there are position statements and guidelines for nurses to follow. The ASBN is responsible for enforcing these laws and rules pertaining to the regulation of nurses, nursing education and nursing practice.

John Brown University is a leading private Christian university, training students to honor God and serve others since 1919. Arkansas’ top-ranked regional university (U.S. News Best Colleges, 2018), JBU enrolls more than 2,500 students from 41 states and 50 countries in its traditional undergraduate, graduate, online and concurrent education programs. JBU offers more than 40 majors, with top programs including business administration, graphic design, engineering, construction management, counseling, teacher education and nursing.