Mission and Purposes
The Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) is an autonomous accrediting agency, contributing to the improvement of the public's health. The Commission strives to promote the quality and integrity of baccalaureate, graduate, and residency/fellowship programs in nursing. The Commission serves the public interest by assessing and identifying programs that engage in effective educational practices. As a voluntary, self-regulatory process, CCNE accreditation supports and encourages continuous quality improvement in nursing education and nurse residency/fellowship programs.
CCNE accreditation is a nongovernmental peer review process that operates in accordance with nationally recognized standards established for the practice of accreditation in the United States and its territories. Accreditation by CCNE is intended to accomplish at least five general purposes:
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To hold nursing programs accountable to the community of interest -- the nursing profession, consumers, employers, institutions of higher education, nursing students, nurse residents and fellows -- and to one another by providing that these programs have mission statements, goals, and outcomes that are appropriate to prepare individuals to fulfill their expected roles.
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To evaluate the success of a nursing program in achieving its mission, goals, and outcomes.
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To assess the extent to which a nursing program meets accreditation standards.
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To inform the public of the purposes and values of accreditation and to identify nursing programs that meet accreditation standards.
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To foster continuing improvement in nursing programs, and, thereby, in professional practice.