New National Accreditation Strengthens Kirtland’s Nursing Program
Kirtland Community College associate degree in nursing earns accreditation by the National League for Nursing Commission for Nursing Education Accreditation
Kirtland Community College strengthened its leadership role in healthcare education with a new national accreditation. The Kirtland Community College associate degree in nursing program is now accredited by the National League for Nursing Commission for Nursing Education Accreditation (NLN CNEA). This accreditation opens doors for Kirtland graduates at additional clinical sites in the area, and with employers statewide and across the country who require national accreditation.
“National accreditation signals a commitment to quality nursing education, and puts Kirtland on the cutting edge of curriculum and industry, ensuring we’re placing highly trained professionals into the workplace,” said Amy Fugate, VP Instructional Services. “Our nursing graduates now have additional credibility as they apply for positions with local, state and national healthcare providers.”
In 2018 the Michigan Board of Nursing set out new rules requiring all nursing programs in the state to have national accreditation by 2025. Kirtland’s new accreditation runs for six years — retroactively from November 30, 2019 to June 30, 2026. In addition to an associate degree program for registered nurses, Kirtland also offers concurrent programs for bachelor’s degrees with Saginaw Valley State University and Grand Valley State University.
“Investing in healthcare training is more important now than ever, which is one of the reasons we committed to earning accreditation ahead of the 2025 state mandate,” said Bethany Hubbard, Director of Nursing. “National accreditation demonstrates the strength of our nursing degree and is a prime example of the valuable healthcare programming we provide to our students as they train to become frontline workers in our community.”
The NLN’s accreditation services, represented by the NLN CNEA, promotes excellence and integrity in nursing education globally through an accreditation process that respects the diversity of program mission, curricula, students, and faculty; emphasizes a culture of continuous quality improvement; and influences the preparation of a caring and competent nursing workforce.
About Kirtland Community College
Established in 1966, Kirtland Community College is a two-year college that serves over 17 communities as the largest Michigan community college district. The college offers 38 degrees and certifications across four campuses, and continuously strives to adapt programming to meet economic demands. By fostering a culture of innovation, Kirtland equips students with the tools they need to succeed in fulfilling careers. www.kirtland.edu.
