ROSEBURG, Oregon – The Nursing program at Umpqua Community College (UCC) has provided a valuable service to the community for 45 years. The program has produced more than 2,000 highly-trained graduates since its inception in 1973. In order to fill the ever-growing need for these highly-skilled healthcare experts, UCC must follow strict state requirements in order to operate and keep its accreditation status.
UCC’s RN Program is approved, which is synonymous with being accredited, by the Oregon State Board of Nursing (OSBN). The program must meet rigorous guidelines to maintain the ability to host the Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) level program. OSBN approval is non-negotiable. A link to the specific requirements the UCC ADN program must meet can be reviewed here, starting with Oregon Administrative Rule (OAR) 851-021-0040 through 851-021-0070.
Upon completing UCC’s ADN program, graduates have the option to seamlessly transition to Oregon Health and Science University’s (OHSU) Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program, which holds a national accreditation. National accreditations are not mandatory in Oregon for ADN level nursing programs, and are considered a voluntary process.
UCC Nursing recently elected, on its own terms, to forego the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) national accreditation. This decision was mainly due to budgetary and time constraints, allowing UCC to focus on the primary accreditation requirement put forth by OSBN. Additionally, the national accreditation that was previously needed for students to perform clinicals in Veterans Affairs facilities was removed at the federal level.
This decision was not made in haste, UCC’s Director of Nursing April Myler, said. (The decision) included input from multiple community partners from UCC’s Advisory Committee (which is largely made up of staff from local clinical sites), colleague feedback from the Oregon Consortium for Nursing Education (OCNE), communication to the OSBN, and UCC student representatives, staff, faculty, and administration.
UCC is partnered with OCNE. There are 17 OCNE schools in Oregon with 11 ADN-level nursing programs. Of these programs, there are only three programs with a national accreditation. With or without the national accreditation, graduates of these OCNE schools seamlessly transition into BSN programs and employment.
UCC is also regionally accredited through the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU) which assesses the campus as a whole. UCC has OSBN approval (accreditation) and is in good standing.
More information about UCC’s Nursing program can be located on the UCC Nursing website.
About Umpqua Community College
Nestled in the beautiful North Umpqua River Valley, Umpqua Community College is the regional center for higher education in Douglas County, Oregon. UCC provides high quality college degree programs, workforce development, and community learning opportunities.