October 21, 2022 – St. John’s, NL: Eastern Health announced today that the Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BScN) (Collaborative) Program, offered by the Centre for Nursing Studies, has received seven-year approval status from the College of Registered Nurses of Newfoundland and Labrador (CRNNL) with a score of 100 per cent. The Centre for Nursing Studies (CNS) has also received a seven-year accreditation status from the Canadian Association of Schools of Nursing (CASN) in July of this year.
“These outstanding accreditation and approval outcomes affirm the high quality of nursing education offered in this province,” said Debbie Walsh, Vice President of Clinical Services & Chief Nursing Officer with the Centre for Nursing Studies. “Congratulations to faculty, staff, students and all those involved on this incredible achievement. This rating formally tells our stakeholders that the quality of education being received by the students here at CNS is top tier, which gives me comfort to know that our nurses are learning the best practices from the best faculty and staff that Canada has to offer.”
Through the approval process, CRNNL strives to promote excellence in nursing practice by ensuring nursing education programs are preparing graduates to achieve the entry-level competencies (ELCs) to practice.
“We are thrilled with this seven-year accreditation by the CASN as well as a seven-year approval by CRNNL,” said Dr. Kathy Watkins, Director for the Centre for Nursing Studies. “It truly speaks to the caliber of nursing education programs in Newfoundland and Labrador and the dedication and commitment of administration, faculty and staff.”
For the fourth consecutive time, the CNS program in collaboration with the Memorial University Faculty of Nursing and Western Regional School of Nursing has received a seven-year accreditation from CASN, the national body for accrediting nursing programs in Canada. All three sites (Memorial University Faculty of Nursing, Centre for Nursing Studies and Western Regional School of Nursing) were accredited through a virtual review by four accreditation reviewers assigned by CASN which included a considerable amount of time meeting with students, faculty, staff, preceptors, health authority managers and other key stakeholders.
Accreditors from CASN were not only impressed with the high quality of education, but they also commented that the BScN (Collaborative) Program is well-respected and continues to have a very strong, positive reputation within the university system, and with external partners and stakeholders. Nursing administration and faculty are described by students, colleagues, partners and services providers as: rigorous, dedicated, exceptionally organized, fun to work with, and extremely student centered.
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About Eastern Health
Eastern Health is the largest, integrated health authority in Newfoundland and Labrador employing approximately 13,000 dedicated employees, over 700 medical staff, and is supported by hundreds of volunteers, including members of numerous auxiliaries and fundraising foundations. With an annual budget of approximately $1.7 billion, the authority offers the full continuum of health and community services including public health, long-term care, community services, hospital care and unique provincial programs and services. Serving a population of over 300,000, Eastern Health’s geographic boundaries extend west from St. John’s to Port Blandford including all communities on the Avalon, Burin and Bonavista Peninsulas