CCC Nursing Program Earns National ACEN Accreditation

Coconino Community College (CCC) is pleased to announce that the college’s Nursing program has earned accreditation from the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN).

"ACEN accreditation is an important milestone for Coconino Community College because it affirms our commitment to providing a high-quality nursing education that meets rigorous national standards," said Dr. Sandra Tarbell, CCC Provost & Executive Vice President of Academic Affairs.

To earn accreditation, the program went through a full review. ACEN looked at the program's curriculum, student outcomes, faculty qualifications, resources, clinical education and support from the college.

For CCC Nursing students, accreditation brings practical benefits. It can give students more options for scholarships and grants from state, federal and foundation sources. Their credits may transfer to more universities, and graduates may find more job openings, especially with larger healthcare systems, said Katherine Costa, CCC Director of Nursing and Allied Health.

Those benefits extend beyond individual students. The accreditation also supports CCC's role in preparing nurses for the region.

"Northern Arizona continues to experience a significant need for skilled healthcare professionals, particularly nurses," Tarbell said. “For CCC, this is about much more than accreditation. It is about ensuring that our students are exceptionally well prepared to enter the nursing profession and serve the healthcare needs of Coconino County and the surrounding region.”

CCC helps meet that need by giving students a way to study nursing close to home. Students complete their clinical experiences in the region. After they graduate, they can go to work in the communities CCC serves.

"Accreditation strengthens that pathway and provides our students, healthcare partners, and community with additional confidence in the education and preparation our graduates receive," Tarbell said.

During the review, ACEN named the program's 97.5% completion rate as an area of strength. Costa credits that success to the faculty and the steady support students receive throughout the program.

"Our faculty are the ones who make the biggest difference in our students' lives. Our students know they can talk to any of us about personal and academic struggles," said Costa. “We have a tight-knit family that can provide resources and support for the students so they can remain in the nursing program. We also have a strong academic support program through a nursing student success coach and peer and faculty tutors. We know that completing this program will change our students’ lives and the lives of their families, so completion is very important to us.”

With accreditation in place, CCC is looking ahead to what comes next for Nursing and its other healthcare programs.

“As CCC continues to expand its health professions education, we are committed to building programs that are responsive to workforce needs, grounded in strong academic and clinical standards, and developed in close partnership with healthcare providers throughout Northern Arizona,” said Tarbell. “This accreditation provides a strong foundation for the continued growth of Nursing and reinforces CCC’s commitment to preparing highly qualified healthcare professionals who can serve our communities for years to come.”