HPU Nursing Wins Accreditation

Hawaii Pacific University, which houses the largest baccalaureate nursing program in Hawaii on its Kaneohe campus, graduated 127 students in May, and has successfully reached another milestone: The Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) has certified through 2017 (for the first time) the College of Nursing and Health Science’s bachelor and master science programs.

“The accreditation is indicative of a broader, university-wide effort to strengthen the academic programs of the university in service of both our students and the state of Hawaii,” said John Kearns, HPU vice president of academic affairs.

In addition to the CCNE accreditation, which is officially recognized by the U.S. Secretary of Education as a national accreditation agency, the nursing programs are accredited by the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission. The state’s largest private university also awards specialized certificates in transcultural and forensic nursing.

“The quality and rigor of our degree programs is well-reflected in the accreditation decisions by these two leading organizations,” said acting dean of the College of Nursing and Health Sciences Dale Allison. These accreditations allow the college to meet the growing needs of hospitals, clinics and other Hawaii heath care facilities.

“This sends a strong signal to the health care industry that our graduates are academically and culturally qualified to provide the best in nursing care to the people of Hawaii, the nation and the world,” Allison noted.

According to the CCNE, it ensures the quality and integrity of baccalaureate, graduate and residency programs in nursing and serves the public interest by assessing and identifying programs that engage in effective educational practices.

“Our nursing faculty, graduate students and undergraduates are to be commended for achieving this recognition,” Kearns added. “It reflects well on them, as well as on the thousands of alumni who have graduated from these outstanding programs.”