Campus News

Minnesota West Awarded Practical Nursing Accreditation

10/16/19

Minnesota West Community and Technical College is pleased to announce that the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) has awarded initial accreditation for the Practical Nursing (PN) Program as of September 2019. The Minnesota West Nursing Program has successfully fulfilled all requirements to achieve this program accreditation spanning 2018 to 2024 by ACEN. Nursing accreditation from the ACEN indicates the achievement of quality and excellence in nursing education.

The Minnesota West Practical Nursing Program prepares students to take the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX-PN), the license that allows a graduated student to work as a Licensed Practical Nurse or LPN. Minnesota West PN student graduates have earned top honors in the state and nationally on the NCLEX-PN for many years, including 96% and 99% test success in 2018 and 2019. Each year the program admits 128 students between the three Minnesota West campuses of Granite Falls, Pipestone, and Worthington.

Dr. Dawn Gordon, Dean of Sciences and Nursing comments, “We are pleased to offer high-quality nursing education. Accreditation from the ACEN demonstrates achievements by the program, faculty, and students at Minnesota West. The PN Program hosted a team of peer evaluators in February 2019 – comments during their visits included their overall support of the quality education and training that Minnesota West provides for PN students. The peer evaluators specifically noted that the program was technology driven, adapts well to the rural communities of the region, and does a nice job working with the diverse populations in Southwest Minnesota.”

Minnesota West President, Dr. Terry Gaalswyk notes, “I am very proud of the program and the hard work of Dean Gordon, the faculty, and students. I’m extremely proud of the nursing programs and their accreditations at Minnesota West.”

The Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) supports the interests of nursing education, nursing practice, and the public by providing specialized accreditation for all levels of nursing education and transition-to-practice programs. As the leading authority in nursing education accreditation, the goal of the ACEN is to be a supportive partner in strengthening the quality of nursing education and transition-to-practice programs.