Accrediting agency is a “reliable authority to determine the quality of nursing education programs.”
The baccalaureate degree program in nursing at Front Range Community College has received accreditation from the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE).
The program builds on a two-year nursing degree, allowing students to continue at FRCC to complete their Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN). The RN-to-BSN completion program, which began in late 2019, offers one of FRCC’s first bachelor’s degrees.
“This designation demonstrates FRCC’s commitment to academic excellence, to our students and to the communities we serve,” said FRCC President Andy Dorsey. “Our graduates leave our program well prepared to provide exemplary care to patients all over Colorado and beyond.”
“This accreditation distinguishes our program for meeting nationally-recognized standards and promoting excellence in areas such as teaching, course content, program quality, student achievement and faculty qualifications,” said Jean Runyon, vice president of FRCC’s Larimer campus.
More About CCNE
CCNE ensures the quality and integrity of baccalaureate, graduate and residency programs in nursing. The commission is an autonomous accrediting agency that contributes to the public’s health by assessing and identifying programs that engage in effective educational practices. Accreditation by CCNE is an indication of confidence in the ability of the parent institution to offer a program of quality, deserving of public recognition.
The commission is officially recognized by the US Department of Education as a national accreditation agency that is “a reliable authority to determine the quality of nursing education programs at the baccalaureate, master’s and doctoral levels, including programs offering distance education.”
The CCNE Board of Commissioners acted at its meeting May 11-14, 2021, to grant accreditation to the baccalaureate degree program in nursing at Front Range Community College for five years, extending to June 30, 2026.
More About FRCC’s RN-to-BSN Completion Program
Many hospitals and other health care providers now require their nurses to have a bachelor’s degree. The demand for highly-trained nurses is also increasing because many baby boomers in the profession are retiring. Colorado is currently experiencing an annual shortage of at least 500 nurses with four-year BSN degrees—and this figure is expected to grow to a cumulative shortage of 4,500 nurses with BSNs by 2024.
FRCC’s RN-to-BSN completion option allows registered nurses who have completed an associate degree—or students enrolled in a nursing program—to finish their Bachelor of Science degree right at FRCC. The program started in late 2019—and has since awarded the college’s first bachelor’s degrees.
“Our BSN program is allowing more of FRCC’s trained, skilled nurses to graduate and go directly into the workforce,” Dorsey said.
FRCC is currently accepting applications for its RN-to-BSN completion program. The deadline to apply for this fall is July 16, 2021.
About Front Range Community College
FRCC offers more than 100 degree and certificate programs from locations in Boulder County, Larimer County, Westminster, Brighton, and online. FRCC is a member of the Colorado Community College System.
About the Colorado Community College System
The Colorado Community College System (CCCS) is the state’s largest system of higher education, serving 138,000 students annually at 13 colleges and 39 locations across Colorado. Our open access mission ensures all Coloradans who aspire to enrich their lives have access to quality higher education opportunities.
