Montcalm Community College recently was recognized as the first college in Michigan to earn accreditation for its nursing program through the National League for Nursing Commission for Nursing Education Accreditation (NLN-CNEA).

MCC Dean of Nursing and Health Careers Danielle Anderson said the college has been working toward this milestone since fall 2015 and the achievement will further support MCC nursing students as they enter the job market.

“Our team of nursing faculty and myself have worked very hard to ensure that the MCC Nursing Program meets all NLN-CNEA standards of accreditation ensuring that we are promoting a culture of caring, diversity, integrity and excellence,” she said.

“Our students will be more competitive in the job market, as some employers require this recognition as part of their hiring guidelines,” she added. “Accreditation is beneficial for transferability of credits and students wishing to enter the military, as a nurse can now do so.”

According to Anderson, it is a requirement of the military that students graduate from an accredited nursing program.

In the past, nursing program accreditation was voluntary, but now all nursing programs in Michigan will be required to have national nursing program accreditation by 2025.

MCC’s nursing program, which is five semesters in length, is semi-competitive with its admission standards, admitting 32 students twice a year through its application process. The program curriculum exposes students to theory, lab, clinical and simulation components. Anderson leads a team of six full-time faculty, 21 part-time faculty, and three administrative support staff who assist with the success of the program. She also added that the nursing team has had the full support of the college’s executive leadership team and MCC colleagues as they worked toward accreditation.

“Our community needs nurses and our community deserves a quality nursing education program. We had to accomplish this, for our students, for our community, and for future patients that will need quality nursing care provided,” Anderson said.

This full NLN-CNEA accreditation was retroactive to March 31, 2019, for a term of six years. In fall 2024, there will be a site visit to MCC to review and consider continued nursing program accreditation.