October 17, 2023 – On October 13, Minnesota West’s President Terry Gaalswyk, and Dean of Nursing Dawn Gordon received a letter from the ACEN (Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing) Chief Executive Officer congratulating the outstanding achievement of continuing accreditation. Reaffirming the institution's accreditation status through 2031. Receiving accreditation through 2031 is a significant accomplishment, and it reflects the dedication and quality of the Nursing Program at Minnesota West.

Back in February, Minnesota West - Worthington Campus hosted peer-reviewers from the ACEN to grant the Associate Nursing Program's ACEN accreditation. During this visit, the evaluation team met with Minnesota West Faculty, Staff, Students, and Leadership to gather feedback.

The following is excerpted from the letter:

"This letter is formal notification of the action taken by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) at its meeting in September 2023. The Board of Commissioners granted continuing accreditation to the associate nursing program, affirmed continuing accreditation..."

This accreditation is important as it demonstrates that the program meets specific quality standards and prepares students to become licensed nurses. The process involves a comprehensive review that evaluates the quality and effectiveness of its nursing education program on multiple levels.

The areas of strength mentioned in the letter from the Chief Executive Officer highlight some key aspects of the program: The program's alignment with the mission and values of the governing organization is a strong point. This alignment likely ensures that the program is in line with the goals and principles of the institution. The presence of a robust orientation and mentoring program for new faculty is a significant strength. This program likely helps faculty members adapt to their roles, improve their teaching skills, and contribute to the overall quality of education in the program.

The continued accreditation status will be valuable for current and prospective students, as it signifies that the program meets or exceeds industry standards and will continue to do so for years to come. Congratulations to Minnesota West and its Associate Nursing Program on this achievement!

The Associate Degree Nursing Program at Minnesota West Community and Technical College at the Worthington, Granite Falls, and Pipestone campuses located in Worthington, Granite Falls, and Pipestone, MN is accredited by the: Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN). 3390 Peachtree Road NE, Suite 1400, Atlanta, GA 30326 The most recent accreditation decision made by the ACEN Board of Commissioners for the Associate Degree Nursing Program is continuing accreditation.