TC3 Nursing Program Receives Prestigous Accreditation Accreditation Seen as National Approval of Program

The Tompkins Cortland Community College (TC3) nursing program has been reaccredited by the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission (NLNAC).  The continuing accreditation is for eight years, the maximum awarded by the NLNAC.  TC3’s nursing program has been accredited since 1979.

The national accrediting body for nursing education programs, recognized by the U.S. Department of Education, is NLNAC. NLNAC uses standards that evaluate various aspects of a program such as a curriculum, faculty credentials, continuing education, program evaluation and improvement processes, student satisfaction, national certification pass rates, program policies, and graduate performance. They also assess the college as a whole, including admission policies, financial aid rates and policies, and student support services. Obtaining NLNAC accreditation is an indication that a nursing program, such as TC3’s, is of the highest caliber and assures that credits earned in enrolled nurse course will transfer seamlessly to other institutions.

The evaluation process began in 2010 with a lengthy self report and culminated with a three-day site visit by three NLNAC evaluators.”I am grateful to the college community as a whole and especially the nursing program faculty for all their work and support during this important process,” said Professor Kimberly Sharpe, MS, RN, CNE, chair of the TC3 nursing program.

Concurrent to the NLNAC process, TC3’s nursing program was also evaluated by the New York State Education Department. The College received continuous reaccreditation, the state’s highest rating. The positive findings from the regulatory bodies were echoed by officials at two of the nursing program’s community partners.

“Congratulations to the TC3 Nursing Program!” said Susan R. Nohelty, RN, MSN, Vice President of Patient Services for Cayuga Medical Center at Ithaca. “We are indebted to the TC3 Nursing Program for providing Cayuga Medical Center with a cadre of professional, well-trained graduate nurses, who skillfully and compassionately care for our patients at all levels throughout the organization”

“Through the years, Cortland Regional Medical Center has enjoyed a close, beneficial partnership with the TC3 nursing program,” said Denise Mironti, RN, MSN, Senior Vice President-Patient Care Services for Cortland Regional Medical Center. “Its graduates have excellent clinical skills and understand the importance of personalized patient care, so they fit well into our mission of achieving exceptional care. We congratulate the TC3 staff for earning its accreditation and high rating, and look forward to a continued strong relationship in the future.”