A new five-year accreditation of the nursing program at the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point will benefit registered nurses pursuing a bachelor’s degree at the university.
The accreditation was completed by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education, an independent agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.
“Accreditation is essential to our nursing program,” said director Sharon Frazier, senior lecturer in health care professions. “It informs the health care community and students that the professional skills and knowledge needed for a baccalaureate nurse are reflected academically in the UW-Stevens Point nursing program.”
UW-Stevens Point began its bachelor’s in nursing completion program in 2013 for associate degree or diploma registered nurses. The program meets a demand for four-year-degree-prepared nurses rising from the growing complexity of health care needs. The 2012 Wisconsin Registered Nursing Survey found only 34-37 percent of nurses have bachelor’s degrees in the western and northern parts of the state. The 2010 Institute of Medicine recommended an increase of nurses with a baccalaureate degree to 80 percent by 2020.
“UW-Stevens Point nursing coursework prepares registered nurses for leadership roles and broadens theoretical understanding and critical thinking skills for caring for patients in various settings,” said Frazier.
Students may take courses online or on campus or in blended formats, allowing for greater flexibility and program accessibility. For more about the nursing program, visit www.uwsp.edu/nursing.