Published Nov. 23, 2020
The Kitty Degree School of Nursing at the University of Louisiana Monroe has received 10-year reaccreditation by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education for its undergraduate Bachelor of Science in Nursing and the graduate Master of Science
in Nursing programs.
PHOTO: Assistant Professor of Nursing Ebony Watson, standing, instructs students in the
Kitty DeGree School of Nursing. The school has been reaccredited through 2030 by the
Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education.
ULM Photo Services
The U.S. Secretary of Education officially recognizes CCNE as a national accreditation
agency. CCNE ensures the quality and integrity of baccalaureate, graduate, and residency
programs in nursing.
Wendy Bailes, Ph.D., director of the School of Nursing, said the BSN and MSN programs
were reaccredited individually, which affirms the overall excellence of the KDSON
and the university. The BSN has held accreditation since 2000, and the MSN since 2017.
“The reaccreditation recognizes that both programs’ curriculums and teaching/learning
strategies are in alignment with the standards as established by CCNE, and have demonstrated
effective outcomes, such as pass rates, completion rates, and faculty qualifications,”
said Bailes. “To reach and maintain this level of excellence can only be accomplished
with the full commitment and support of the university.”
ULM President Ronald Berry, DMA, offered his congratulations and thanks to the nursing
faculty and staff for the accomplishment.
“The 10-year reaccreditation is a testament to their commitment to excellence, continuous
improvement, and to providing our students with an exceptional educational experience.
Their dedication to our students and the health care profession is what makes the
nursing programs at ULM so impactful and successful,” said Berry.
Don Simpson, Ph.D., dean of the College of Health Sciences, said the reaccreditation
demonstrates the excellence of the nursing program and the shared work of the entire
ULM family.
“The Kitty DeGree School of Nursing proudly offers high-quality, accredited nursing
programs. This latest reaccreditation visit confirmed that the College of Health Sciences
continues to provide quality programming to meet the needs of our students and the
profession of nursing, to make a difference in the communities we are serving,” Simpson
said.
Representatives of CCNE visited campus in the spring. The reaccreditation is retroactive
from the date of the visit, March 2, 2020, through Dec. 31, 2030.
“I am incredibly proud of the faculty, the students, and our community. A team, not
individuals, accomplish this full approval and ULM Kitty DeGree School of Nursing
has an outstanding team,” she said.
Preparing for CCNE visit
Bailes said faculty and staff spent two years preparing for the site visit.
“The intense work of writing the self-study began the summer of 2019. This document
reviews the university, the school, the programs under evaluation, the student body,
the faculty body, and the community of interest,” Bailes said. “Sandra Jones was our
writer who spent the summer and fall of 2019 getting the 300-plus page document ready
for submission.”
Jones and Martha Goodman were co-chairs of the curriculum committee, and Amy Kincannon
led the assessment and evaluation committee. These committees were responsible for
meeting one-half of the standards required by CCNE for nursing programs.
“My administrative team of Rhonda Hensley, Sandy Bailey, and Karen Arrant was crucial
to the success of this project,” Bailes said.
During the exit interview in the spring, CCNE representatives complimented the KDSON
leadership, faculty, and the student body.
“They were especially impressed at the turnout of the student body when they interviewed
them. All four site visitors were complimentary of the professionalism of the nursing
students,” Bailes said.
“We will continue to excel as we go forward these next 10 years. It is because of
the support we receive from our university family and our community, so on behalf
of the KDSON administration, faculty, and students, we want to say thank you all for
your support,” Bailes said.
