The University of Houston-Victoria’s Bachelor of Science in Nursing is now nationally accredited after a rigorous review of the program.
UHV received an official letter on May 29 from the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education accrediting its baccalaureate degree program in nursing.
“We are thrilled to achieve this accreditation,” said Fred Litton, dean of the UHV School of Education, Health Professions & Human Development. “Our school’s Registered Nurse to Bachelor of Science in Nursing program prepares nurses to meet the challenges of a dynamic and complex health care environment. We aspire to be a top nursing program in the region, and this accreditation will help us advance that goal.”
The RN to BSN program was granted full accreditation by the commission through 2023, and the next site visit will take place in 2022. The commission holds nursing programs accountable to the community of interest and ensures the program’s mission, goals and outcomes are appropriate to prepare graduates to fulfill their expected roles in nursing. The CCNE evaluates six to eight key elements to foster continuous improvement of nursing programs.
Cindy Hudson
Cindy Hudson, UHV nursing program director, was integral throughout the accreditation process and expects to see the nursing program grow. The accreditation will be a draw to prospective nursing students. If a student graduates from a professionally accredited program, it opens doors to jobs and access to advanced degrees.
“The accreditation process typically takes six to nine months,” Hudson said. “Now, with this initial accreditation, we hope to see many more doors open up for our students.”
Housed in the UHV School of Education, Health Professions & Human Development, UHV’s RN to BSN is designed to develop students’ skills in using evidence in clinical decision making to help prepare for leadership roles. With the exception of two 45-hour practice learning experiences, students take all their classes online. This flexibility is helpful for nurses who work full time.
Xiahong Irle is a part-time student who works full time as a registered nurse at Gonzales Memorial Hospital. She expects to graduate from UHV’s RN to BSN program in December.
“Earning a bachelor’s degree in nursing from an accredited program is significant for me because it will help advance my career opportunities including management,” Irle said. “UHV has one of the best well-structured programs, and this accreditation speaks volumes in that regard.”
The UHV School of Nursing transitioned to UH in fall 2015. UHV started a new baccalaureate nursing program in August 2016 because of community interest. The first group of 10 RN to BSN students in the new program graduated in December.
“Students have really been anticipating the program’s accreditation,” said Norma Hinojosa, UHV manager of nursing student recruitment and marketing. “As soon as the official announcement was made to the students, they were excited and expressed gratitude to the faculty and staff for being patient and working with them through the entire process.”
The RN to BSN program can admit up to 40 students each August and each January. August 5 is the application deadline for the fall semester, and generous tuition scholarships are available for eligible students. There still are openings in the program for August and January.
For more information about UHV’s nursing program, contact Hinojosa at 361-570-4210 or nursing@uhv.edu. For more information about the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education, visit www.ccneaccreditation.org.