Campus News

Director of Communications Rita Elliott, 815-226-3374

Rockford, Ill., – The Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program at Rockford University has successfully completed its accreditation review by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN), earning full accreditation through 2019. The Rockford University Department of Nursing is approved by the State of Illinois Department of Professional Regulation (IDFPR) www.idfpr.com and is accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing, Inc., 3343 Peachtree Road NE, Suite 850 | Atlanta, Georgia 30326 P.(404) 975 5000 | F. (404) 975-5020, www.acenursing.org.

Rockford University’s BSN program has grown to accommodate 80 new students per year with cohorts beginning in each fall and spring semester. Current total nursing enrollments exceed 180 students. RU Nursing graduates are noted for routinely scoring well above the national average on the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN®). Nursing is a licensed profession with nurses practicing according to state-specific provisions outlined in the Nursing Practice Act, Illinois Compiled Statutes (225 ILCS 65/) Nursing and Advanced Practice Nursing Act. Graduates of Rockford University BSN program are eligible to apply to take the NCLEX-RN®. This is a computer-adapted examination and may be taken at testing centers in Illinois and across the United States. Passage of this examination will allow the graduate to begin practicing as a registered nurse.

The BSN program is led by a program administrator, Assistant Dean for Nursing Education Nancy Kertz, Ph.D., and nine full-time faculty instructors. Assistant Professor of Nursing Nola Addante, BSN, MSNE, serves as the Academic Department Chair. Dr. Kertz notes, “The accreditation process confirms our commitment to ensure our programming meets the highest standards in nursing education. Rockford University has an outstanding reputation of preparing its nursing graduates to excel in their chosen nursing disciplines. We take pride in knowing our nurses have the necessary advanced training and skills to provide exceptional care to their patients and to become leaders in their field.”

According www.acenursing.org, “ACEN supports the interests of nursing education, nursing practice, and the public by the functions of accreditation. Accreditation is a voluntary, self-regulatory process by which non-governmental associations recognize educational institutions or programs that have been found to meet or exceed standards and criteria for educational quality. Accreditation also assists in the further improvement of the institutions or programs as related to resources invested, processes followed, and results achieved. The monitoring of certificate, diploma, and degree offerings is tied closely to state examination and licensing rules, and to the oversight of preparation for work in the profession.”